HCS SB 240 -- MOTOR VEHICLES

SPONSOR:  Stouffer (St. Onge)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on
Transportation by a vote of 9 to 0.

This substitute changes the laws regarding motor vehicles.

DRIVER'S LICENSES

The substitute makes eligibility for a driver's license or
temporary permit for an applicant between 15 and 18 years of age
contingent upon documentation that he or she has complied with
the eligibility standards developed by the Department of
Elementary and Secondary Education.

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS

The Director of the Department of Revenue must not issue or renew
a school endorsement to any applicant whose driving record shows
that he or she has been convicted of an intoxication-related
traffic offense while operating a school bus.  A person convicted
of an intoxication-related offense while operating a school bus
will have his or her school bus endorsement permanently denied by
the court, beginning on the date of the court's order.  School
bus drivers will be required to notify the superintendent of the
school district or the employing contractor whenever the driver
receives a citation for an intoxicated-related traffic offense.
Notice of the citation must be given prior to the driver resuming
operation of a school bus.  Failure to notify the school district
or the employing contractor of the citation will constitute a
valid reason for discharging the school bus driver.  The fine for
driving with a revoked license while operating a school bus will
be $1,000.

RESTRICTED LICENSE PLATES

Beginning January 1, 2008, the substitute requires a motorist who
has had his or her driver's license suspended, revoked, or
disqualified for a period of more than 60 days or has been denied
a license for an alcohol-related or manslaughter violation to
surrender his or her license plates to the Department of Revenue.
The department will then issue restricted license plates to be
displayed on his or her vehicle.

Law enforcement officers will have probable cause to stop any
vehicle displaying restricted plates to determine whether the
driver has a valid driver's license or limited driving
privileges.  The registered owner of a motor vehicle who has been
issued restricted plates will be prohibited from selling his or
her vehicle without the permission of the department.  Any
vehicle acquired by the individual during the period of
restriction must display the restricted plates.

UTILITY VEHICLES

"Utility vehicle" is defined as any motorized vehicle
manufactured and used exclusively for off-highway purposes which
is 63 inches or less in width, has an unladen dry weight of 1,900
pounds or less, travels on four or six wheels, and is used
primarily for agricultural, landscaping, lawn care, or
maintenance purposes.

No person can operate a utility vehicle upon the highways of this
state except:

(1)  Governmental owned and operated vehicles for official use;

(2)  Vehicles operated for agricultural purposes or industrial
on-premise purposes between the official sunrise and sunset;

(3)  Vehicles operated occasionally by handicapped persons for
short distances only on the state secondary roads between the
hours of sunrise and sunset;

(4)  Vehicles which have been issued special permits by a city to
be used on highways within the city limits by licensed drivers.
The city may charge a $15 fee for the permit; and

(5)  Vehicles which have been issued special permits by a county
to be used on highways within the county limits by licensed
drivers.  The county may charge a $15 fee for the permit.

Individuals will be prohibited from operating a utility vehicle:

(1)  In a careless way so as to endanger the person or property
of another;

(2)  While under the influence of alcohol or a controlled
substance;

(3)  Without a valid operator's or chauffeur's license;

(4)  Within any stream or river except by an operator who owns
the property or has permission to be on the property on which the
waterway flows through or when fording a low-water crossing;

(5)  At a speed of more than 30 miles per hour on a highway when
permitted; or

(6)  Carrying a passenger except for agricultural purposes or if
the vehicle is designed with seating to carry more than
one passenger.

Utility vehicles will be exempt from titling and registration
provisions.

COMMERCIAL DRIVERS

The substitute waives the $25 examination fee for the written and
driving commercial driver's license (CDL) test for applicants 70
years of age or older.  The CDL written test will only be
administered in English, and applicants must be able to read and
speak English sufficiently to understand traffic signals, respond
to inquiries, and make entries on reports.  Applicants are
prohibited from using interpreters when testing.

A military member is not required to possess a CDL while driving
a vehicle for military purposes.  Currently, a military member
must be driving a military vehicle to qualify for the exemption.

Any person convicted of driving while out of service will be
disqualified from operating a commercial motor vehicle as
specified by federal regulations.

Failure to appear in court or pay fines by a commercial license
holder or operator of a commercial motor vehicle is included as a
commercial driver's license offense requiring indefinite
suspension until he or she is in compliance.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

Commercial vehicle enforcement officers will be required to meet
the mandatory standards for basic training and licensure of peace
officers.  Officers who are employed and performing their duties
on August 28, 2007, will have until July 1, 2011, to comply with
the mandatory standards.

The provisions of the substitute regarding school bus drivers
driving with a revoked license become effective January 1, 2008.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Effect on General Revenue Fund of an
income of $0 in FY 2008, a cost of $94,875 in FY 2009, and an
income of Less than $5,125 in FY 2010.  Estimated Effect on Other
State Funds of an income of Unknown to a cost of $68,025 to
$70,025, an income of Unknown to a cost of $65,025 in FY 2009,
and an income of Unknown to a cost of $65,025.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say the bill waives the skills test for
military personnel who are currently licensed and in the
military.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Stouffer.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Missouri House of Representatives
94th General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated July 25, 2007 at 11:21 am