SF 3369

1st Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to drivers' licenses; requiring commissioner of public safety to include
information and questions relating to pupil transportation safety in driver's
training manual and examination; amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, sections
169.21, by adding a subdivision; 169.446, subdivision 2; 171.13, subdivision 1,
by adding a subdivision; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.446,
subdivision 3.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.21, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Driver education curriculum. new text end

new text begin The class D curriculum, in addition to
driver education classroom curriculum prescribed in rules or statutes for class D motor
vehicles, must include instruction on the duties of a driver when encountering a bicycle,
other nonmotorized vehicles, or a pedestrian.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.446, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Driver training programs.

The commissioner of public safety shall
adopt rules requiring new text begin a minimum of 30 minutes of new text end thorough instruction concerning
section 169.444 for persons enrolled in driver training programs offered at new text begin public, new text end private
and parochial schools new text begin , new text end and commercial driver training schools. The instruction must
encompass at least the responsibilities of drivers, the content and requirements of section
169.444, and the penalties for violating that section.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 171.13, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

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

Except as otherwise provided in this section, the
commissioner shall examine each applicant for a driver's license by such agency as the
commissioner directs. This examination must include a test of applicant's eyesight; ability
to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic; knowledge
of traffic laws; knowledge of 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; knowledge of railroad grade crossing safety; knowledge
of slow-moving vehicle safety; new text begin knowledge of laws relating to pupil transportation safety,
including the significance of school bus lights, signals, stop arm, and passing a school
bus; new text end knowledge of traffic laws related to bicycles; an actual demonstration of ability to
exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle; and 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, provided, further
however, no driver's license shall be denied an applicant on the exclusive grounds that the
applicant's eyesight is deficient in color perception. Provided, however, that war veterans
operating motor vehicles especially equipped for disabled persons, shall, if otherwise
entitled to a license, be granted such license. The commissioner shall make provision for
giving these examinations either in the county where the applicant resides or at a place
adjacent thereto reasonably convenient to the applicant.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 171.13, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 1i. new text end

new text begin Pupil transportation safety. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall include in each
edition of the driver's manual a section relating to pupil transportation safety laws.
new text end

Sec. 5. new text begin REPEALER.
new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 169.446, subdivision 3, new text end new text begin is repealed.
new text end