SF 3638

as introduced - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to transportation; amending driver education requirements; amending
license examination requirements; modifying information required in driver??a??a??s
manual; amending Minnesota Statutes 2004, sections 171.0701; 171.13,
subdivision 1, by adding a subdivision.

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

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 171.0701, is amended to read:

171.0701 DRIVER EDUCATION; deleted text begin ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION deleted text end new text begin
INSTRUCTION RULES new text end .

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Organ and tissue donation. new text end

The commissioner shall adopt rules
requiring instruction relating to organ and tissue donations and the provisions of section
171.07, subdivision 5, for persons enrolled in driver education programs offered at public
schools, private schools, and commercial driver training schools.

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Cellular or wireless telephone use. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall adopt rules
requiring instruction relating to the impacts on safety from cellular or wireless telephone
use while operating a vehicle, for persons enrolled in driver education programs offered at
public schools, private schools, and commercial driver training schools.
new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, 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; knowledge of traffic
laws related to bicycles; new text begin knowledge of the impacts on safety from using a cellular or
wireless telephone while operating a vehicle; new text end 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 handicapped 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. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2004, section 171.13, is amended by adding a subdivision
to read:

new text begin Subd. 1i. new text end

new text begin Driver's manual; cellular or wireless telephone use. new text end

new text begin The commissioner
shall include in each edition of the driver's manual a section relating to cellular or wireless
telephone use while operating a vehicle, including basic facts about the impacts on safety
from using a cellular or wireless telephone while operating a vehicle, and current law
provisions or any changes in the law that affect cellular or wireless telephone use while
operating a vehicle.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE.
new text end

new text begin Section 1 is effective the day following final enactment. Sections 2 and 3 are
effective August 1, 2007.
new text end