Current Status Bill Number:380 Type of Legislation:General Bill GB Introducing Body:Senate Introduced Date:19950117 Primary Sponsor:Thomas All Sponsors:Thomas Drafted Document Number:dka\3562cm.95 Companion Bill Number:3328, 4061 Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Transportation Committee 15 ST Subject:Drivers licenses, age increased to obtain
Body Date Action Description Com Leg Involved
______ ________ _______________________________________ _______ ____________
Senate 19950117 Introduced, read first time, 15 ST
referred to Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
TO AMEND SECTIONS 56-1-40 AND 56-1-50, BOTH AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF DRIVERS' LICENSES AND BEGINNERS' PERMITS, SO AS TO INCREASE THE AGE FROM FIFTEEN TO SIXTEEN WHEN A PERSON MAY OBTAIN A LICENSE OR PERMIT; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 56-1-180 RELATING TO SPECIAL RESTRICTED DRIVERS' LICENSES FOR CERTAIN MINORS.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 56-1-40(1) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Section 121D, Part II, Act 497 of 1994, is further amended to read:
"(1) who is under sixteen years of age. However, the department may issue a beginner's or instruction permit as provided in Sections 56-1-50 and 56-1-60 to a person who is at least fifteen years of age, and the department may issue a special restricted driver's license to a person who is at least fifteen years of age and less than sixteen years of age as provided in Section 56-1-180;"
SECTION 2. The first paragraph of Section 56-1-50 of the 1976, as last amended by Section 121E, Part II, Act 497 of 1994, is further amended to read:
"Section 56-1-50. A person who is at least fifteen sixteen years of age may apply to the department for a beginner's permit. After the applicant has passed successfully all parts of the examination other than the driving test, the department may issue to the applicant a beginner's permit which entitles the applicant having the permit in his immediate possession to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways for not more than twelve months. While driving, the permittee must be accompanied by a licensed driver eighteen years of age or older who has had at least one year of driving experience, and who is occupying a seat beside the driver, except when the permittee is operating a motorcycle. A three-wheel vehicle requires the accompanying driver to be directly behind the driver on a saddle-type seat or beside the driver on a bench-type seat. A beginner's permit may be renewed or a new permit issued for additional periods of twelve months, but the department may refuse to renew or issue a new permit where the examining officer has reason to believe the applicant has not made a bona fide effort to pass the required driver's road test or does not appear to the examining officer to have the aptitude to pass the road test. The fee for every a beginner's or renewal permit is two dollars and fifty cents, and the permit must bear the full name, date of birth, and residence address and a brief description and color photograph of the permittee and a facsimile of the signature of the permittee or a space upon which the permittee shall write his usual signature with pen and ink immediately upon receipt of the permit. No permit is valid until it has been so signed by the permittee."
SECTION 3. Section 56-1-180 of the 1976 Code is repealed.
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.