By: Phillips H.B. No. 3676
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the operation of a vehicle by a person under 18 years of
age.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sec. 545.424, Transportation Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 545.424. OPERATION OF VEHICLE BY PERSON UNDER 18 YEARS
OF AGE. (a) A person under 18 years of age may not operate a motor
vehicle while using a wireless communications device, except in
case of emergency.
(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.
(b) A person under 17 years of age who holds a restricted
motorcycle license or moped license may not operate a motorcycle or
moped while using a wireless communications device, except in case
of emergency.
(b-1) A person under 17 years of age who holds a restricted
motorcycle license or moped license, during the 12-month period
following the issuance of an original motorcycle license or moped
license to the person, may not operate a motorcycle or moped after
midnight and before 5 a.m. unless:
(1) the person is in sight of the person's parent or
guardian; or
(2) 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.
(c) This section does not apply to:
(1) the holder of a hardship license;
(2) a person operating a motor vehicle while
accompanied in the manner required by Section 521.222(d)(2) for the
holder of an instruction permit; or
(3) a person licensed by the Federal Communications
Commission to operate a wireless communication device or a radio
frequency device.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.