DRIVER ED; BICYCLE, MOTORCYCLE SAFETY H.B. 5438:
SUMMARY OF HOUSE-PASSED BILL
IN COMMITTEE
House Bill 5438 (as passed by the House)
Sponsor: Representative Terry Brown
House Committee: Transportation and Infrastructure
Senate Committee: Transportation
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Driver Education Provider and Instructor Act to require classroom instruction concerning the laws pertaining to bicycles and motorcycles and emphasizing their operation on roads in this State.
The Act specifies, among other things, the requirements for a segment one driver education curriculum. Under the Michigan Vehicle Code, a person 14 years and nine months of age or older may be issued a level one graduated driver status upon completing segment one of a driver education course and meeting other criteria. (A person issued a level one graduated licensing status may operate a motor vehicle if accompanied either by a licensed parent or legal guardian or, with the permission of the parent or legal guardian, a licensed driver 21 years of age or older.)
Under the Act, a segment one curriculum must include a minimum of 24 hours of classroom instruction spread out over at least three weeks. The bill would require classroom instruction to include information concerning the laws pertaining to bicycles and motorcycles, and to emphasize awareness of their operation on the streets, roads, and highways of this State. For the purpose of the bill's requirement, "classroom instruction" would include the use of an online course offered on the internet by an online course provider approved by the Secretary of State.
MCL 256.657 Legislative Analyst: Jeff Mann
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government.
This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.