86R865 BEE-D
By: Raney H.B. No. 646
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the operation and inspection of mopeds; increasing a
fee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 521.085(a) and (b), Transportation
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) Except [Unless prohibited by Chapter 522, and except] as
provided by Subsection (b), Section 521.225, and Chapter 522, the
license holder may operate any vehicle of the type for which that
class of license is issued and any lesser type of vehicle other than
a motorcycle [or moped].
(b) Subsection (a) does not prohibit a license holder from
operating a lesser type of vehicle that is:
(1) a motorcycle described by Section 521.001(a)(6-a)
or an autocycle as defined by Section 501.008; [or]
(2) a type of motorcycle defined by the department
under Section 521.001(c) and designated by the department as
qualifying for operation under this section; or
(3) a moped.
SECTION 2. Section 521.122(b), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) The department may include on the driver's license:
(1) an authorization to operate a motorcycle [or
moped] if the license holder has met all requirements for a Class M
license; or
(2) an authorization for a person younger than 18
years of age to operate a moped as provided by Section 521.225.
SECTION 3. The heading to Section 521.225, Transportation
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 521.225. MOPED AUTHORIZATION FOR PERSON YOUNGER THAN
18 YEARS OF AGE [LICENSE].
SECTION 4. Sections 521.225(a) and (b), Transportation
Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) A person 15 years of age or older but under 18 years of
age may [not] operate a moped only if [unless] the person holds:
(1) a Class M license; or
(2) another class of [a] driver's license with an
authorization to operate a moped. [An applicant for a moped license
must be 15 years of age or older.]
(b) The department may issue an authorization to operate a
moped to a person who:
(1) is 15 years of age or older but under 18 years of
age; and
(2) passes [The department shall administer to an
applicant for a moped license] a written examination relating
specifically to the traffic laws applicable to the operation of
mopeds. [A test involving the operation of the vehicle is not
required.]
SECTION 5. Section 522.029(f), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(f) If a commercial driver's license includes an
authorization to operate a motorcycle [or moped], the fee for the
driver's license is increased by $8.
SECTION 6. Section 522.041(e), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(e) The holder of a commercial driver's license or
commercial learner's permit may drive any vehicle in the class for
which the license or permit is issued and lesser classes of vehicles
except a motorcycle [or moped]. The holder may drive a motorcycle
only if authorization to drive a motorcycle is shown on the
commercial driver's license and the requirements for issuance of a
motorcycle license have been met. This subsection does not
prohibit a person from operating a lesser type of vehicle that is a
moped.
SECTION 7. Section 548.051(b), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) A moped is subject to inspection in the same manner as a
motorcycle[, except that the only items of equipment required to be
inspected are the brakes, headlamps, rear lamps, and reflectors,
which must comply with the standards prescribed by Sections 547.408
and 547.801].
SECTION 8. Section 548.501(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Sections 548.503 and 548.504, the
fee for inspection of a motor vehicle [other than a moped] is
$12.50. [The fee for inspection of a moped is $5.75.]
SECTION 9. Section 521.225(c), Transportation Code, is
repealed.
SECTION 10. Not later than January 1, 2020, the Department
of Public Safety of the State of Texas shall:
(1) develop the written examination required by
Section 521.225(b), Transportation Code, as amended by this Act;
and
(2) adopt the rules necessary to implement Section
521.225, Transportation Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 11. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.