An Act ENROLLED HOUSE BILL NO. 1962 By: Newton of the House and Jech and Stephens of the Senate An Act relating to driver licenses; amending 47 O.S. 2021, Section 6-105, as amended by Section 42, Chapter 282, O.S.L. 2022 (47 O.S. Supp. 2022 , Section 6-105), which relates to farm vehicle special permits; deleting certain special permit; allowing individuals of a certain age to make appl ication for a farm permit; authorizing operation of certain vehicles; specifying scenarios when permit may b e used by permit holders of a certain age; providing requirements for farm permit issuance; providing restrictions for permit holders of a certain age; prohibiting use of certain device while driving; providing exception; defining term; providing for suspension and revocation of permit; requiring certain affidavit; stating content requirements for affidavit; disallowing the admissibility of certain evidence; and providing violations resulting in license restrictions . SUBJECT: Driver licenses BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 47 O.S. 2021, Section 6 -105, as amended by Section 42, Chapter 282, O.S.L. 2022 (47 O.S. Supp. 2022, Section 6-105), is amended to read as follows: Section 6-105. A. Unless a legal custodial parent or legal guardian has filed an objection to licensure pursuant to Section 6- ENR. H. B. NO. 1962 Page 2 103.1 of this title, any person under eighteen (18) years of age who is in compliance with or n ot subject to Section 6-107.3 of this title may be permitted to operate: 1. A Class D motor vehicle under the graduated driver license provisions prescribed in subsections B through E of this section; 2. A motorcycle under t he provisions prescribed in su bsection H of this section; or 3. A farm vehicle under the provisions prescribed in subsection I of this section. B. Any person who is at least fifteen (15) years of age may drive during a session in which the driver is bein g instructed in a driver education course, as set out in subparagraphs a, b, c, d and e of paragraph 1 of subsection C of this section, by a certified driver education instructor who is seated in the right front seat of the motor vehicle. C. Any person: 1. Who is at least fifteen and one-half (15 1/2) years of age and is currently receiving instruction in or has successfully completed driver education. For purposes of this section, the term "driver education" shall mean: a. a prescribed secondary school driver education course, as provided for in Sections 19-113 through 19-121 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, b. a driver education course, certified by the Department of Public Safety, from a parochial, private, or other nonpublic secondary school, c. a commercial driver training c ourse, as defined by Sections 801 through 808 of this title, d. a parent-taught driver education course, certified by the Department of Public Safety. The Department shall promulgate rules for any parent-taught driver education course, or e. a driver education course certified by a state other than Oklahoma; or ENR. H. B. NO. 1962 Page 3 2. Who is at least sixteen (16) years of age, may, upon successfully passing all parts of the driver license examination administered by Service Oklahoma, or an approved written examination proctor, except the driving examination, be issued a learner permit which will grant the permittee the privilege to operate a Class D motor vehicle upon the public highways only between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. and while acc ompanied by a licensed driver who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age and who is actually occupying a seat beside the permittee; provided, the written examination for a learner permit may be waived by Service Oklahoma upon verification that the person has successfully completed driver education. D. 1. Any person: a. who has applied for, been issued, and has possessed a learner permit for a minimum of six (6) months, and b. whose custodial legal parent or legal guard ian certifies to Service Oklahoma by sworn affidavit that the person has received a minimum of fifty (50) hours of actual behind-the-wheel training, of which at least ten (10) hours of such training was at night, from a licensed driver who was at least twe nty-one (21) years of age and who was properly licensed to operate a Class D motor vehicle for a minimum of two (2) years, may be issued an intermediate Class D license upon successfu lly passing all parts of the driver license examin ations administered b y Service Oklahoma; provided, the written examination, if it has not previously been administered or waived, may be waived by Service Oklahoma upon verification that the person has successfully completed driver education or the drivi ng examination may be waived by Service Oklahoma upon successful passage of the examination administered by a certified designated examiner, as provided for in Section 6-110 of this title. However, notwithstanding the da te of issuance of the learner permit, if the person has been convicted of a traffic offense which is reported on the driving record of that person, the time period specified in subparagraph a of this paragraph shall be recalculated to begin from the date o f conviction for the traffic offense, and must elapse before that person may be issued an intermediate Class D license. If the person has been convicted of more than one traffic offense which is reported on the ENR. H. B. NO. 1962 Page 4 driving record of that person, the time peri od specified in subparagraph a of this paragraph shall be recalculated to begin from the most recent date of conviction, and must elapse before that person may be issued an intermediate Class D license. 2. A person who has been issued an intermediate Clas s D license under the provisions of this subsection: a. shall be granted the privilege to operate a Class D motor vehicle upon the public highways: (1) only between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., except for driving to and from work, school, school activities, and church activiti es, or (2) at any time, if a licensed driver who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age is actually occupying a seat beside the intermediate Class D licensee, or if the intermediate Class D licensee is a farm or ranch resid ent, and is operating a motor vehicle while engaged in farming or ranching operations outside the limits of a municipality, or driving to and from work, school, school activities, or church activities, and b. shall not operate a motor vehicle with more tha n one passenger unless: (1) all passengers live in the same household as the custodial legal parent or legal guardian, or (2) a licensed driver at least twenty-one (21) years of age is actually occupying a seat beside the intermediate Class D licensee. E. Any person who has been issued an intermediate Class D license for a minimum of: 1. One (1) year; or 2. Six (6) months, if the person has completed both the driver education and the parent-certified behind-the-wheel training ENR. H. B. NO. 1962 Page 5 provisions of subparagraph b of paragraph 1 of subsection D of this section, may be issued a Class D license. However, notwithstanding the date of issuance of the Class D license, if the person has been convicted of a traffic offense which is reported on the driving record of that person, the time periods specifi ed in paragraph 1 or 2 of this subsection, as applicable, shall be recalculated to begin from the date of conviction for the traffic offense, and must elapse before that person may be issued a Class D license. If the person has been convicted of more than one traffic offense which is reported on the driving record of that person, the time periods specified in paragraph 1 or 2 of this subsection, as applicable, shall be recalculated to begin from the most recent date of convic tion, and must elapse before th at person may be issued a Class D license. F. Learner permits and intermediate Class D licenses shall be issued for the same period as all other driver licenses. The licenses may be suspended or canceled at the discretion o f the Department for violation of restrictions, for failing to give the required or correct information on the application, for knowingly giving false or inaccurate information on the application or any subsequent documentation related to the granting of d riving privileges, for using a hand-held electronic device while operating a motor vehicle for non-life-threatening emergency purposes or for violation of any traffic laws of this state pertaining to the operation of a motor vehicle. G. Service Oklahoma shall promulgate rules establishing procedures for removal of learner permit and intermediate Class D license restrictions from the permit or license upon the permittee or licensee qualifying for a less restricted or an unres tricted license. H. Any person fourteen (14) years of age or older may apply for a restricted Class D license with a motorcycle-only restriction. After the person has successfully passed all parts of the motorcycle examination other than the driving exam ination, has successfully completed a certified state-approved motorcycle basic rider course approved by the Department of Public Safety, in conjunction with Service Oklahoma, and has met all requirements provided for in the rules of the Department and Service Oklahoma, Service Oklahoma shall issue to the person a r estricted Class D license with a motorcycle- only restriction which shall grant to the person, while having the ENR. H. B. NO. 1962 Page 6 license in the person's immediate possession, the privilege to operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle: 1. With a piston displacement not to exceed three hundred (300) cubic centimeters; 2. Between the hours of 4:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. only; 3. While wearing approved protective headgear; and 4. While accompanied by and re ceiving instruction fro m any person who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age and who is properly licensed pursuant to the laws of this state to operate a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, and who has visual contact with the restricted licensee. The restricted licensee may ap ply on or after thirty (30) days from date of issuance of the restricted Class D license with a motorcycle-only restriction to have the restriction of being accompanied by a licensed driver removed by successfully completing the driving portion of an exami nation. The written examination and driving examin ation for a restricted Class D license with a motorcycle-only endorsement shall be waived by Service Oklahoma upon verification that the person has successfully completed a c ertified state-approved motorcycle basic rider course approved by the Department and Service Oklahoma. I. Service Oklahoma may in its discretion issue a special permit to any person who has attained the age of fourteen (14) years, authorizing such person to operate farm vehicles b etween the farm and the market to haul commodities grown on the farm; provided, that the special permit shall be temporary and shall expire not more than thirty (30) days after the issuance of the special permit. Special permits shall be issued only to fa rm residents and shall be issued only during the time of the harvest of the principal crops grown on such farm. Provided, however, Service Oklahoma shall not issue a special permit pursuant to this subsection until Service Oklahoma is fully satisfied after the examination of the application and other evidence furnished in support thereof, that the person is physically and mentally developed to such a degree that the operation of a motor vehicle by the person would not be inimical to public safety. ENR. H. B. NO. 1962 Page 7 1. Any person who is less than sev enteen (17) years of age but is at least fourteen (14) years of age and who resides upon a farm in this state or is employed for compensation upon a farm in this state may apply to Service Oklahoma for a farm permit authorizing such person, while possessin g the permit, to operate any Class D motor vehicle. 2. a. A farm permit shall entitle the licensee, who is at least fourteen (14) years of age but less than sixt een (16) years of age, to operate the appropriate motor vehicles at any time: (1) while going to or from or in connection with any farm job, employment, or other farm-related work, (2) on days while school is in session, over the most direct and accessible route between the licensee's residence and school of enrollment for the purpose of school atte ndance; provided, that the privilege shall only extend to those licensees who reside on a farm and c ommute directly from their place of residence to the school in which they are enrolled, or (3) when the licensee is operating a passenger car at any time when accompanied by an adult who is the holder of a valid commercial driver license, Class A, B, C, or D driver license and who is actually occupying a seat beside the driver. b. For a period of six (6) months, a farm permit shall entitle the licensee who is at least sixteen (16) years of age to operate the appropriate motor vehicles at any time: (1) from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., (2) while going to or from or in conn ection with any farm job, employment, or other farm -related work, (3) while going to or from au thorized school activities, ENR. H. B. NO. 1962 Page 8 (4) while going directly to or from any religious worship service held b y a religious organization, or (5) while the licensee is oper ating a passenger car at any time while accompanied by an adult who is the holder of a valid co mmercial driver license, Class A, B, or C driver license, and who is actually occupying a seat besid e the driver. After such six-month period, if the licensee h as complied with the provisions of this subsection, such farm permit shall entitle the licensee to operate the appropriate motor vehi cles at any time without the restrictions required by this subs ection. 3. A farm permit shall be issued only if: a. the applicant can prove that such applicant resides or works on a farm by submitting the signed affida vit of either a parent or guardian st ating that the applicant lives on a farm, b. the applicant has successfully completed the examination requirements in Secti on 6-110 of this title, and c. the applicant does not live on a farm but works on a farm and the applicant submits the signed affidav it of the applicant's employer and parent or guardian attesting to such employment. 4. Any licensee issued a farm permit u nder this subsection: a. who is less than sixteen (16) years of age shall not operate any motor vehicle with nonsibling mino r passengers, b. who is at least sixteen (16) years of age, for a period of six (6) months after reaching sixteen (16) years of age, shall not operate any motor vehicle with more than one passenger who is less than eighteen (18) years of age and who is not a member of the licensee's immediate family, or ENR. H. B. NO. 1962 Page 9 c. who is at least fourteen (14) years of age, but less than sixteen (16) years of age, shall not operate any motor vehicle on interstate or turnpike high way systems, nor shall a licensee operate a motor vehicle within the limits of a city with a population in excess of one hundred thousand (100,000) persons according to the latest Feder al Decennial Census. Any conviction for violating this paragraph shall be construed as a moving traffic violation. Service Oklahoma may, in its discretion, suspend the permit of an individual f or violation of this paragraph. 5. Any licensee issued a farm permit under this subsection shall not operate a wireless communication device while driving a motor vehicle, except that a licensee may operate a wireless communication device while driving a motor vehicle to report illegal activity or to summon medical o r other emergency help. 6. As used in this subsection, "farm" means any parcel of land for which the owner has an agricultural exemption permit issued by the Oklahoma Tax Commission . 7. a. A farm permit issued under this subsection is subject to suspension or revocation in the same manner as any other driver license. b. A farm permit may be suspende d in accordance with Section 6-113 of this title for any violation of restrictions under this subsection. c. Service Oklahoma shall suspend the farm permit upon receiving satisfactory evidence that the licensee has been involved in two or more accidents ch argeable to the licensee and such sus pended license shall not be reinstated for one (1) year . 8. Any licensee issued a farm permit under this subsection shall provide, prior to reaching sixteen (16) years of age, a signed affidavit of either a parent or g uardian stating that the applicant has completed at least fifty (50) hours of adu lt-supervised driving with at least ten (10) of those hours being at night. The adult- supervised driving required by this paragraph shall be conducted by an adult who is at l east twenty-one (21) years of age and is the holder of a valid commercial driver l icense, Class A, B, C, or D driver license. Evidence of failure of any licensee who was ENR. H. B. NO. 1962 Page 10 required to complete the fifty (50) hours of adult -supervised driving under this subs ection shall not be admissible in any action for the purpose of determining any aspect of c omparative negligence or mitigation of damages. 9. Any licensee issued a farm permit under this subsection who: a. is under sixteen (16) years of age and is convict ed of two or more moving traffic viol ations committed on separate occasions shall not be eligible to receive a driver license which is not restricted, in accordanc e with the provisions of subparagraph a of paragraph 2 of this subsection, until the person r eaches seventeen (17) years of age, b. is at least sixteen (16) years of age but less th an seventeen (17) years of age and is convicted of two or more moving traffic violations committed on separate occasions shall not be eligible to receive a driver license which is not restricted, in accord ance with the provisions of subparagraph b of parag raph 2 of this subsection, until the person reaches eighteen (18) years of age, or c. fails to provide the affidavit required under paragraph 8 of this subsection shall not be eligible to receive a driver license which is not restricted, in accordance with the provisions of subparagraph a of paragraph 2 of this subsection, until the person provides such affidavit to Service Oklahoma or the person reaches seventeen (17) years of age, whichever occurs first. J. As used in this section: 1. "Hand-held electronic device" means a mobile telephone or electronic device with which a user engages in a telephone call, plays or stores media, including but not limited to music and video, or sends or reads a text message while requiring the use of at least one hand; and 2. "Using a hand-held electronic device" means engaging any function on an electronic device. ENR. H. B. NO. 1962 Page 11 K. All driver education courses provided for in paragraph 1 of subsection C of this section shall include education regarding the dangers of texting while driving and the effects of being under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicating substance while driving. ENR. H. B. NO. 1962 Page 12 Passed the House of Representatives the 8th day of May, 2023. Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives Passed the Senate the 26th day of April, 2023. Presiding Officer of the Senate OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________ day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M. By: _________________________________ Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _____ ____ day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M. _________________________________ Governor of the State of Oklahoma OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________ day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M. By: _________________________________