§ 17B-2B-4 — Class G driver’s license; eligibility criteria; duration of license; surrender of current license; provisions not applicable to persons already licensed to drive with bioptic device

(a) A person who has obtained a Class G instruction permit may obtain a Class G driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle if he or she has:

(1) Been certified by the Division of Rehabilitation Services, or its approved driver training program, as having successfully completed an approved driver training program, along with any recommendations regarding license restrictions or modifications, including, but not limited to:

(A) Special adaptive equipment;

(B) Hours of permitted operation;

(C) Types of roads on which the applicant may operate a vehicle; and

(D) How far from home the applicant may operate a vehicle;

(2) Submitted to the commissioner and to the Director of the Division of Rehabilitation Services, on a form prescribed by the Division of Rehabilitation Services, a report of examination by a vision specialist, conducted after the applicant completes the approved driver training program, certifying that the applicant continues to meet the minimum visual acuity and visual field standards established by the commissioner for licensure to operate a motor vehicle;

(3) Successfully completed a comprehensive road skills examination, conducted at a location determined by the commissioner, with a certified driver rehabilitation specialist or driver rehabilitation educator in the test vehicle along with the driving examiner. The comprehensive road skills examination shall include, at a minimum:

(A) A “passenger in car” test with bioptic telescopic device in place designed to test competency in using the bioptic telescopic device under stationary and dynamic conditions;

(B) A maneuverability skills test; and

(C) A standardized on-road test designed to test driving competency of the applicant; and

(4) Satisfied, at each stage of the licensing process, any additional requirements for licensure required by article two of this chapter that are not addressed in this article;

(b) If an applicant fails the comprehensive road skills examination three times, he or she is not eligible to retake the examination until he or she has successfully completed additional training in an approved driver training program and been recommended for retesting by the director of the program.

(c) An applicant who has a current license to operate a motor vehicle other than a Class G driver’s license must surrender his or her current driver’s license before the commissioner will issue a Class G driver’s license or instruction permit.

(d) Every Class G licensee must provide the commissioner with a report of examination by a vision specialist, conducted no more than three months prior to the annual anniversary of the issuance of the license, certifying that the applicant continues to meet the minimum visual acuity and visual field standards established by the commissioner for licensure to operate a motor vehicle. The report shall be submitted on a form prescribed by the commissioner.

Legislative History

2021 Reg. Sess., HB2701; 2020 Reg. Sess., SB306; 2008 Reg. Sess., HB4139