NIGHTTIME DRIVING REQUIREMENT
FOR LEVEL 2 GRADUATED LICENSE
Senate Bill 192 (S-2) as reported from committee
Senate Bill 193 as reported from committee
Sponsor: Sen. Roger Victory
1st House Committee: Transportation
2nd House Committee: Ways and Means
Senate Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Complete to 6-11-19
(Enacted as Public Acts 33 and 34 of 2019)
SUMMARY:
Senate Bill 192 would amend the Michigan Vehicle Code to specify that the nighttime driving hours requirement for the issuance of a Level 2 graduated license would not apply to a person who had been issued a graduated driver license that allows only daylight driving as provided in R 257.3 of the Michigan Administrative Code (see Background, below).
MCL 257.310e
Senate Bill 193 would amend the Driver Education Provider and Instructor Act to specify that the nighttime driving hours requirement for a student’s admission into a Segment 2 curriculum driver education course would not apply to a person who had been issued a graduated driver license that allows only daylight driving as provided in R 257.3 of the Michigan Administrative Code (see Background, below).
Senate Bill 193 is tie-barred to SB 192, meaning that it could not take effect unless SB 192 were also enacted.
MCL 256.659
BACKGROUND:
R 257.3 of the Michigan Administrative Code[1] specifies that a restricted driver’s license permitting daylight driving only may be issued if an applicant or licensee submits a statement from an ophthalmologist or optometrist stating either of the following:
· The applicant has visual acuity less than 20/50 to and including 20/70 with no recognizable progressive abnormalities affecting vision.
· The applicant has visual acuity less than 20/50 to and including 20/60 with recognizable abnormalities affecting vision.
Michigan’s graduated licensing system has three licensing levels. To be issued a Level 2 license, a driver must be at least 16 years old and have completed the Segment 2 driver education curriculum, among other requirements.[2] The Segment 2 driver education curriculum currently requires completion of a total of ten hours of night driving.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The bills would have no fiscal impact on state or local government.
Fiscal Analyst: Michael Cnossen
■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.