This bill introduces an alternative driver education program in New Hampshire, enabling individuals under 18 to obtain a driver's license by completing either a traditional driver education course or the new driver training program established under RSA 263:19-a. The bill amends RSA 263:19, I to allow for the issuance of a driver's license upon presenting a certificate of successful completion of this alternative program, which mandates 40 hours of supervised driving, an online driver education course, and passing a visual acuity and knowledge examination. The commissioner of safety is granted the authority to develop rules for the program, including standards for a nationally accepted driver training course, and a program coordinator will oversee its implementation.

The bill also outlines the financial implications of the new program, estimating the need for approximately 127 new positions, including an Administrator I and a Program Assistant II, with an annual cost of $176,000. Additionally, it requires 125 full-time training specialists, incurring an estimated cost of $9 million per year, and the acquisition of 144 new vehicles at a cost of approximately $3.6 million. The total projected costs for the first year are nearly $14.9 million, although the bill allows for phased implementation, leaving the timeline for expenditures uncertain. While it empowers the DMV director to appoint training specialists, it does not allocate specific funding for these positions, raising concerns about the financial and resource challenges associated with the program's successful execution.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 263:19