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Senate expands certified driver-license examiners and allows school-based testing; SB 254 passes
Summary
Senate Bill 254, permitting certified driver's-license examiners to administer tests in schools and authorizing procedures for school-based issuance of class D licenses under Department of Public Safety oversight, was amended and passed by the Senate.
Senate Bill 254, sponsored by Senator McMullen, was debated in two stages on the floor and ultimately passed. The bill, as amended, permits the Department of Public Safety to work with public school systems to develop guidelines allowing driver-education programs to administer both the written and driving tests for a Class D operator's license at school locations when students have satisfied program requirements.
Amendments deleted certain procedural language, clarified that students who pass at school would receive a slip to complete picture and data processing at a Department of Safety location, and adjusted the implementation date from the original text to allow schools and the division to prepare procedures and certification. Senators raised liability questions about whether the Division or school districts would bear any new legal exposure; sponsors said the agencies would work out agreements in regulation and that both are state agencies. The Department of Public Safety representatives said they supported the amendments.
On final reading the clerk announced the roll call showed 20 aye votes, 0 nay votes and 9 absent; the bill will be sent to the House for further action.
