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�	S.B.�No.�1317

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�	AN ACT
�	relating to education and examination requirements for the issuance
�	of a driver's license to certain persons.
�	�������BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
�	�������SECTION�1.��Subsection (d), Section 521.142, Transportation
�	Code, is amended to read as follows:
�	�������(d)��If the applicant is under 25 years of age, the
�	application must state whether the applicant has completed a driver
�	education course required by Section 521.1601 [approved by the
�	department].
�	�������SECTION�2.��The heading to Subchapter H, Chapter 521,
�	Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
�	SUBCHAPTER H. EDUCATION AND EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS
�	�������SECTION�3.��Subchapter H, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,
�	is amended by adding Sections 521.1601 and 521.167 to read as
�	follows:
�	�������Sec.�521.1601.��DRIVER EDUCATION REQUIRED. The department
�	may not issue a driver's license to a person who is younger than 25
�	years of age unless the person submits to the department a driver
�	education certificate issued under Chapter 1001, Education Code,
�	that states that the person has completed and passed:
�	�������������(1)��a driver education and traffic safety course
�	approved by the Texas Education Agency under Section 29.902,
�	Education Code, or a driver education course approved by that
�	agency under Section 1001.101(a)(1) of that code or approved by the
�	department under Section 521.205; or
�	�������������(2)��if the person is 18 years of age or older, a driver
�	education course approved by the Texas Education Agency under
�	Section 1001.101(a)(1) or (2), Education Code.
�	�������Sec.�521.167.��WAIVER OF CERTAIN EDUCATION AND EXAMINATION
�	REQUIREMENTS. A person who has completed and passed a driver
�	education course approved by the Texas Education Agency under
�	Section 1001.101(a)(2), Education Code, is not required to take the
�	highway sign and traffic law parts of the examination required
�	under Section 521.161 if those parts have been successfully
�	completed as determined by a licensed driver education instructor.
�	�������SECTION�4.��Section 1001.004, Education Code, is amended to
�	read as follows:
�	�������Sec.�1001.004.��COST OF ADMINISTERING CHAPTER. (a)��Except
�	as provided by Subsection (b), the [The] cost of administering this
�	chapter shall be included in the state budget allowance for the
�	agency.
�	�������(b)��The commissioner may charge a fee to each driver
�	education school in an amount not to exceed the actual expense
�	incurred in the regulation of driver education courses established
�	under Section 1001.101(a)(2).
�	�������SECTION�5.��Subsection (a), Section 1001.055, Education
�	Code, is amended to read as follows:
�	�������(a)��The agency shall print and supply to each licensed or
�	exempt driver education school driver education certificates to be
�	used for certifying completion of an approved driver education
�	course to satisfy the requirements of Sections [Section]
�	521.204(a)(2) and 521.1601, Transportation Code. The certificates
�	must be numbered serially.
�	�������SECTION�6.��Section 1001.101, Education Code, is amended to
�	read as follows:
�	�������Sec.�1001.101.��DRIVER EDUCATION COURSE CURRICULUM AND
�	EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS [TEXTBOOKS]. (a)��The commissioner by rule
�	shall establish the curriculum and designate the educational
�	materials [textbooks]�to be used in:
�	�������������(1)��a driver education course for minors and adults;
�	and
�	�������������(2)��a driver education course exclusively for adults.
�	�������(b)��A driver education course under Subsection (a)(2) must:
�	�������������(1)��be a six-hour course; 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.
�	�������(c)��A course approved under Subsection (a)(2) may be offered
�	as an online course.
�	�������(d)��A driving safety course or a drug and alcohol driving
�	awareness program may not be approved as a driver education course
�	under Subsection (a)(2).
�	�������SECTION�7.��The changes in law made by this Act apply to an
�	application for the issuance of a driver's license filed on or after
�	the effective date of this Act. An application for the issuance of
�	a driver's license filed before the effective date of this Act is
�	governed by the law in effect on the date of the filing, and that law
�	is continued in effect for that purpose.
�	�������SECTION�8.��This Act takes effect March 1, 2010.
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�	______________________________	______________________________
�	���President of the Senate	Speaker of the House�����
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�	�������I hereby certify that S.B.�No.�1317 passed the Senate on
�	May�13,�2009, by the following vote: Yeas�23, Nays�8; and that the
�	Senate concurred in House amendment on May�30,�2009, by the
�	following vote: Yeas�23, Nays�8.
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�	______________________________
�	Secretary of the Senate����
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�	�������I hereby certify that S.B.�No.�1317 passed the House, with
�	amendment, on May�27,�2009, by the following vote: Yeas�145,
�	Nays�3, one present not voting.
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�	______________________________
�	Chief Clerk of the House���
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�	Approved:
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�	______________________________�
�	������������Date
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�	______________________________�
�	����������Governor