SB313: Bill Text

LRB-1292/1

ARG:sac:rs

2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE

2013 Senate BILL 313

September 24, 2013 - Introduced by Senators Hansen and Harris, cosponsored by Representatives Sinicki, Wright, Thiesfeldt, Berceau, Wachs and A. Ott. Referred to Committee on Education.

SB313,1,3 An Act to amend 343.16 (2) (b); and to create 38.04 (4) (e) 7., 115.28 (11) (g) and 343.71 (5) (g) of the statutes; relating to: driver education instruction and driver's license examinations.

Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau

Under current law, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) must approve driver education courses offered by school districts, county children with disabilities education boards, and technical college districts. DPI must also establish minimum standards for driver education courses offered by private driver schools. DPI may not approve a driver education course or establish driver education course standards unless the course or standards, among other things, provides instruction relating to safely dealing with the hazards posed by machinery and animals on highways and by railroad highway grade crossings, passing stopped emergency vehicles, and the hazards of text messaging while driving.

Under current law, the Technical College System Board (TCSB) must approve courses of study for each program offered in technical college district schools, including driver education courses. TCSB may not approve a driver education course unless the course, among other things, includes instruction relating to the same topics described above. The Department of Transportation (DOT) licenses private driver schools, and DOT may not license a driver school unless its course of instruction includes the content required for TCSB approval of a driver education course.

Under this bill, all approved driver education courses must provide each student with instruction in proper procedures for attaching a trailer to a motor vehicle.

Under current law, DOT must test knowledge and understanding of certain topics when it gives the knowledge examination for applicants for motor vehicle operator's licenses. These topics include highway signs, traffic laws, fuel-efficient driving habits, anatomical gifts, and the effects of consuming alcohol on operating a motor vehicle.

This bill requires DOT to include knowledge of proper procedures for attaching a trailer to a motor vehicle in its knowledge examination.

For further information see the state and local fiscal estimate, which will be printed as an appendix to this bill.

The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows:

SB313,1 Section 1. 38.04 (4) (e) 7. of the statutes is created to read:

SB313,2,3 38.04 (4) (e) 7. Provides each student with instruction in proper procedures for attaching a trailer to a motor vehicle.

SB313,2 Section 2. 115.28 (11) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

SB313,2,6 115.28 (11) (g) Provide each student with instruction in proper procedures for attaching a trailer to a motor vehicle.

SB313,3 Section 3. 343.16 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:

SB313,3,16 343.16 (2) (b) Specific requirements. The standards developed by the department under par. (c) shall provide that the examination for persons making their first application for an operator's license shall include a test of the applicant's eyesight, ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning and directing traffic, knowledge of the traffic laws, including ss. 346.072 and 346.26, understanding of fuel-efficient driving habits and the relative costs and availability of other modes of transportation, knowledge of the need for anatomical gifts and the ability to make an anatomical gift through the use of a donor card issued under s. 343.175 (2), knowledge of proper procedures for attaching a trailer to a motor vehicle, and an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle. The test of knowledge of the traffic laws shall include questions on the provisions of ss. 343.30 (1q), 343.303 to 343.31 and 346.63 to 346.655, relating to the operation of a motor vehicle and the consumption of alcohol beverages. The test of knowledge may also include questions on the social, medical and economic effects of alcohol and other drug abuse. The examination of applicants for authorization to operate `Class M' vehicles shall test an applicant's knowledge of Type 1 motorcycle safety, including proper eye protection to be worn during hours of darkness. The department may require persons changing their residence to this state from another jurisdiction and persons applying for a reinstated license after termination of a revocation period to take all or parts of the examination required of persons making their first application for an operator's license. Any applicant who is required to give an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle shall furnish a representative vehicle in safe operating condition for use in testing ability.

SB313,4 Section 4. 343.71 (5) (g) of the statutes is created to read:

SB313,3,19 343.71 (5) (g) Provides each student with instruction in proper procedures for attaching a trailer to a motor vehicle.

SB313,5 Section 5. Initial applicability.

SB313,3,23 (1) The treatment of sections 38.04 (4) (e) 7., 115.28 (11) (g), and 343.71 (5) (g) of the statutes first applies to driver education courses that begin on the effective date of this subsection.

SB313,3,25 (2) The treatment of section 343.16 (2) (b) of the statutes first applies to examinations given on the effective date of this subsection.

SB313,6 Section 6. Effective date.

SB313,4,3 (1) This act takes effect on the first day of the 4th month beginning after publication.

SB313,4,4 (End)