SF 2358 (LSB 6677SV (1) 91)

SENATE FILE 2358

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO SSB 3108)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to the maximum driving distance of unsupervised persons issued a special minor’s restricted driver’s license who are enrolled at an accredited nonpublic school.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 321.194, subsection 4, paragraph b, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2026, is amended to read as follows:
   A licensee may operate a motor vehicle unsupervised over the most direct and accessible route between the licensee’s residence, school of enrollment, location where the licensee receives competent private instruction or independent private instruction, place of employment, location for farm work or farm-related work if the licensee resides on a farm or is employed for compensation on a farm in this state, and the closest service station, for any of the following purposes, as applicable, provided the driving distance between the point of origin and the destination is no more than twenty-five miles, unless waived pursuant to subsection 6A, and the licensee is in immediate possession of the license card:
    Sec. 2.  Section 321.194, Code 2026, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  6A.  Accredited nonpublic school distance waiver.  A licensee may operate a motor vehicle unsupervised over the most direct and accessible route between the licensee’s residence and accredited nonpublic school of enrollment regardless of the distance if the licensee receives a distance waiver and carries a copy of the waiver while operating the motor vehicle.
   a.  The parent or guardian of a licensee may apply for a distance waiver by submitting an application to the chief school administrator or superintendent of the licensee’s accredited nonpublic school.
   b.  The chief school administrator or superintendent of the licensee’s accredited nonpublic school may approve a distance waiver application and, if approved, shall provide a tangible copy of the waiver to the licensee.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   Under current law, a person between the ages of 14 and 18 holding a special minor’s restricted driver’s license (licensee) is authorized to operate a motor vehicle without supervision between certain approved locations, for certain activities, during certain times, and up to 25 miles per trip. A licensee is required to submit to the department of transportation (DOT) a certification from the licensee’s school certifying the licensee is enrolled at the school for courses of instruction or extracurricular activities.
   This bill authorizes a licensee to exceed the 25-mile driving distance limit when driving from home to school if the licensee is enrolled at an accredited nonpublic school and receives a distance waiver. The parent or guardian of a licensee is authorized to apply for a distance waiver by submitting an application to the chief school administrator or superintendent of the licensee’s accredited nonpublic school. If the chief school administrator or superintendent approves a distance waiver application, the administrator or superintendent must provide a tangible copy of the waiver to the licensee. The licensee must carry a copy of the waiver while operating a motor vehicle in accordance with the special minor’s restricted license.
   A licensee who violates the restrictions of a special minor’s restricted license commits a simple misdemeanor, classified as a moving violation, punishable by a $70 scheduled fine. Additionally, the DOT must suspend the license for three months and is prohibited from issuing an intermediate license to the person for an additional three months following the person’s 16th birthday.