HF 3185

as introduced - 91st Legislature (2019 - 2020) Posted on 02/17/2020 04:33pm

A bill for an act
relating to public safety; requiring appointments to retake a driving examination
within 30 days of a request; amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 171.13,
subdivision 1.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 171.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Examination subjects and locations; provisions for color blindness,
disabled veterans.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the commissioner deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin
must new text end examine each applicant for a driver's license by such agency as the commissioner
directs. This examination must include:

(1) a test of the applicant's eyesight;

(2) a test of the applicant's ability to read and understand highway signs regulating,
warning, and directing traffic;

(3) a test of the applicant's knowledge of (i) traffic laws; (ii) the effects of alcohol and
drugs on a driver's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and legally, and of the legal
penalties and financial consequences resulting from violations of laws prohibiting the
operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (iii) railroad
grade crossing safety; (iv) slow-moving vehicle safety; (v) laws relating to pupil
transportation safety, including the significance of school bus lights, signals, stop arm, and
passing a school bus; (vi) traffic laws related to bicycles; and (vii) the circumstances and
dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning;

(4) an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the
operation of a motor vehicle; and

(5) other physical and mental examinations as the commissioner finds necessary to
determine the applicant's fitness to operate a motor vehicle safely upon the highways.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), no driver's license may be denied new text begin to new text end an applicant on
the exclusive grounds that the applicant's eyesight is deficient in color perception. War
veterans operating motor vehicles especially equipped for disabled persons, if otherwise
entitled to a license, must be granted such license.

(c) The commissioner deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end make provision for giving the examinations under this
subdivision either in the county where the applicant resides or at a place adjacent thereto
reasonably convenient to the applicant.

(d) The commissioner deleted text begin shall deleted text end new text begin must new text end ensure new text begin adequate staffing at all testing locations so new text end that
an applicant is able to obtain an appointment for an examination to demonstrate ability
under paragraph (a), clause (4), within 14 days of the applicant's request new text begin or to retake the
examination within 30 days of failing new text end if, under the applicable statutes and rules of the
commissioner, the applicant is eligible to take new text begin or retake new text end the examination.