85R3505 MM-D
By: Parker H.B. No. 3171
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the amount of instruction time required for driver
training.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1001.001, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subdivision (3-a) to read as follows:
(3-a) "Course hour" means 50 minutes of classroom or
in-car instruction, as applicable, within a 60-minute period.
SECTION 2. Section 1001.101(b), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) A driver education course must require the student to
complete:
(1) seven course [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 for a driver
education course conducted by a parent or other individual under
Section 1001.112;
(2) seven course [7] hours of observation instruction
in the presence of a person who holds a driver education instructor
license or who meets the requirements for a driver education course
conducted by a parent or other individual under Section 1001.112;
and
(3) 30 course hours of behind-the-wheel instruction,
including at least 10 course 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 3. Section 1001.1015(b), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) A driver education course under Subsection (a) must:
(1) consist of six [be a six-hour] course hours; and
(2) include instruction in:
(A) alcohol and drug awareness;
(B) the traffic laws of this state;
(C) highway signs, signals, and markings that
regulate, warn, or direct traffic; and
(D) the issues commonly associated with motor
vehicle accidents, including poor decision-making, risk taking,
impaired driving, distraction, speed, failure to use a safety belt,
driving at night, failure to yield the right-of-way, and using a
wireless communication device while operating a vehicle.
SECTION 4. Section 1001.111(b), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) A driving safety course designed for drivers younger
than 25 years of age must:
(1) consist of four course hours and be a [four-hour]
live, interactive course focusing on issues specific to drivers
younger than 25 years of age;
(2) include instruction in:
(A) alcohol and drug awareness;
(B) the traffic laws of this state;
(C) the high rate of motor vehicle accidents and
fatalities for drivers younger than 25 years of age;
(D) the issues commonly associated with motor
vehicle accidents involving drivers younger than 25 years of age,
including poor decision-making, risk taking, impaired driving,
distraction, speed, failure to use a safety belt, driving at night,
failure to yield the right-of-way, and using a wireless
communication device while operating a vehicle, and the role of
peer pressure in those issues;
(E) the effect of poor driver decision-making on
the family, friends, school, and community of a driver younger than
25 years of age; and
(F) the importance of taking control of
potentially dangerous driving situations both as a driver and as a
passenger; and
(3) require a written commitment by the student to
family and friends that the student will not engage in dangerous
driving habits.
SECTION 5. Section 1001.112(a), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) The commission by rule shall provide for approval of a
driver education course conducted by the parent, stepparent, foster
parent, legal guardian, grandparent, or step-grandparent of a
person who is required to complete a driver education course to
obtain a Class C license. The rules must provide that the student
driver spend a minimum number of course hours in classroom and
behind-the-wheel instruction and that the person conducting the
course:
(1) possess a valid license for the preceding three
years that has not been suspended, revoked, or forfeited in the past
three years for an offense that involves the operation of a motor
vehicle;
(2) has not been convicted of:
(A) criminally negligent homicide; or
(B) driving while intoxicated;
(3) is not disabled because of mental illness; and
(4) does not have six or more points assigned to the
person's driver's license under Subchapter B, Chapter 708,
Transportation Code, at the time the person begins conducting the
course.
SECTION 6. The changes in law made by this Act apply to a
driver training course that begins on or after the effective date of
this Act. A driver training course that begins before the effective
date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the
course began, and the former law is continued in effect for that
purpose.
SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.