By: Ellis, Carona S.B. No. 2041
(In the Senate - Filed March 12, 2009; March 31, 2009, read
first time and referred to Committee on Transportation and Homeland
Security; April 8, 2009, reported favorably by the following vote:
Yeas 9, Nays 0; April 8, 2009, sent to printer.)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring an applicant for a driver's license to
demonstrate knowledge of motorists' rights and responsibilities in
relation to bicyclists.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subsections (b) and (c), Section 521.161,
Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
(b) The examination must include:
(1) a test of the applicant's:
(A) vision;
(B) ability to identify and understand highway
signs in English that regulate, warn, or direct traffic; [and]
(C) knowledge of the traffic laws of this state;
and
(D) knowledge of motorists' rights and
responsibilities in relation to bicyclists;
(2) a demonstration of the applicant's ability to
exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a
motor vehicle of the type that the applicant will be licensed to
operate; and
(3) any additional examination the department finds
necessary to determine the applicant's fitness to operate a motor
vehicle safely.
(c) The department shall give each applicant the option of
taking the parts [traffic law and highway sign part] of the
examination under Subsections (b)(1)(B), (C), and (D) in writing in
addition to or instead of through a mechanical, electronic, or
other testing method. If the applicant takes that part of the
examination in writing in addition to another testing method, the
applicant is considered to have passed that part of the examination
if the applicant passes either version of the examination. The
department shall inform each person taking the examination of the
person's rights under this subsection.
SECTION 2. A driver's license examination administered by
the Department of Public Safety is not required to include a
question required by Paragraph (D), Subdivision (1), Subsection
(b), Section 521.161, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, if
the examination is administered before February 1, 2010.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
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