By: Fletcher H.B. No. 3483
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requirements for a driver education course and the
eligibility of persons under 18 years of age to hold a driver's
license or operate a motor vehicle.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1001.101, Education Code, as amended by
Chapters 1253 (H.B. 339) and 1413 (S.B. 1317), Acts of the 81st
Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, is reenacted and amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 1001.101. ADULT AND MINOR DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE
CURRICULUM AND TEXTBOOKS. (a) The commissioner by rule shall
establish or approve the curriculum and designate the textbooks to
be used in a driver education course for minors and adults,
including a driver education course conducted by a school district,
driver education school, or parent or other individual under
Section 521.205, Transportation Code.
(b) A driver education course must require the student to
complete:
(1) 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction in the
presence of a person who holds a driver education instructor
license or who meets the requirements imposed under Section
521.205, Transportation Code;
(2) 7 hours of observation instruction in the presence
of a person who holds a driver education instructor license or who
meets the requirements imposed under Section 521.205,
Transportation Code; and
(3) 30 [20] hours of behind-the-wheel instruction,
including at least 10 hours of instruction that takes place at
night, in the presence of an adult who meets the requirements of
Section 521.222(d)(2), Transportation Code.
SECTION 2. Section 545.424(a-1), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a-1) A person under 18 years of age may not operate a motor
vehicle [during the 12-month period following issuance of an
original Class A, B, or C driver's license to the person]:
(1) after midnight and before 5 a.m. unless the
operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or
participate in employment or a school-related activity or because
of a medical emergency; or
(2) with more than one passenger in the vehicle under
21 years of age who is not a family member.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by Section 1001.101(b),
Education Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to a
driver education course that begins on or after the effective date
of this Act. A course that begins before the effective date of this
Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the course began,
and that law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.