This bill creates an exception to the law that a learner's permit applicant must complete a course in driver education prior to being issued a learner's permit. The bill allows a person who is 15 1/2 years of age, has not attained 18 years of age, has not completed a driver education course and has successfully passed all parts of an examination other than the driving test to apply for a learner's permit. A learner's permit issued to a person who is 15
1/2 years of age under the bill requires a permittee to be accompanied by the permittee's parent or guardian or another responsible adult who is licensed to operate the class of vehicle operated by the permittee, has held a license for at least 2 years and is at least 25 years of age. The accompanying operator must be seated beside the driver and is responsible for any violation of motor vehicle and traffic laws by the permittee. The bill also allows a person who is at least 18 years of age and who takes a driver education course that includes only classroom instruction through an adult education program to apply for or be issued a learner's permit upon successful completion of the course.