Minnesota Session Laws - 2011, Regular Session

CHAPTER 70--H.F.No. 650

An act

relating to transportation; regulating driver education and driver examination related to carbon monoxide poisoning; making technical changes;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2010, 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 2010, section 171.0701, is amended to read:

171.0701 DRIVER EDUCATION CONTENT.

Subdivision 1.

Driver education requirements.

(a) The commissioner shall adopt rules requiring a minimum of 30 minutes of instruction, beginning January 1, 2007, 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.

(b) The commissioner shall adopt rules for persons enrolled in driver education programs offered at public schools, private schools, and commercial driver training schools, requiring inclusion in the course of instruction, by January 1, 2009, a section on awareness and safe interaction with commercial motor vehicle traffic. The rules must require classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training that includes, but is not limited to, truck stopping distances, proper distances for following trucks, identification of truck blind spots, and avoidance of driving in truck blind spots.

(c) By January 1, 2012, the commissioner shall adopt rules for persons enrolled in driver education programs offered at public schools, private schools, and commercial driver training schools, requiring inclusion in the course of instruction of a section on carbon monoxide poisoning. The instruction must include but is not limited to (1) a description of the characteristics of carbon monoxide, (2) a review of the risks and potential speed of death from carbon monoxide poisoning, and (3) specific suggestions regarding vehicle idling practices.

Subd. 2.

Rulemaking.

The rules adopted by the commissioner under paragraph (b) this section are exempt from the rulemaking provisions of chapter 14. The rules are subject to section 14.386, except that notwithstanding paragraph (b) of section 14.386, the rules continue in effect until repealed or superseded by other law or rule.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, 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 shall 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; knowledge of (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; knowledge of (iii) railroad grade crossing safety; knowledge of (iv) slow-moving vehicle safety; knowledge of (v) laws relating to pupil transportation safety, including the significance of school bus lights, signals, stop arm, and passing a school bus; knowledge of (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, provided, further however,.

(b) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), no driver's license shall may 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, must be granted such license.

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

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective January 1, 2012.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2010, section 171.13, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

Subd. 1l.

Driver's manual; carbon monoxide.

The commissioner shall include in each edition of the driver's manual published by the department after August 1, 2011, a section that includes up-to-date lifesaving information on carbon monoxide poisoning.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Sec. 4.

REVISOR'S INSTRUCTION.

The revisor of statutes shall recodify Minnesota Statutes, section 171.13, subdivisions 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i, 1j, 1k, and 1l, as Minnesota Statutes, section 171.0705. The revisor shall correct any cross-references made necessary by this recodification.

EFFECTIVE DATE.

This section is effective the day following final enactment.

Presented to the governor May 23, 2011

Signed by the governor May 24, 2011, 4:59 p.m.