This bill establishes an alternative driver education program in New Hampshire for individuals under 18 years old who have reached their sixteenth birthday, allowing them to obtain a driver's license by completing either a traditional driver education course or the new driver training program. The bill amends RSA 263:19, I to include provisions for this alternative program, specifically stating that a driver's license may be issued if the applicant presents a certificate of successful completion of the driver training program as outlined in the new section RSA 263:19-a. The new program mandates 40 hours of supervised driving, completion of an online driver education course or knowledge course, and passing a visual acuity and knowledge examination. The commissioner of safety is empowered to develop rules for the program, which will be overseen by a program coordinator and may involve contracts with public or private institutions for technical assistance, with a maximum tuition fee of $350 per student. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

The implementation of this program is expected to require approximately 127 new positions, including an Administrator I and a Program Assistant II, with an estimated annual cost of $176,000. Additionally, 125 full-time training specialists will be needed for behind-the-wheel training, costing around $9 million per year. The program aims to serve about 20,000 potential students, necessitating 200,000 driving hours and the acquisition of 144 new vehicles at a cost of $3.6 million, along with other vehicle-related expenses totaling approximately $1.15 million. While the bill allows for phased implementation, the timeline for expenditures remains uncertain, and it does not allocate funding for the new positions. The total estimated costs for the first two years of the program are projected to be around $14.9 million in the first year and $11.7 million in the second year, excluding additional costs related to maintenance facilities and training for students who do not pass the road skills test.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 263:19