This bill amends current law to allow the commissioner to waive the driver education course requirement for youth operator license applicants if a parent, guardian, or another responsible adult provides equivalent instruction and training. Specifically, it modifies RSA 263:14, II(a) to state that applicants under 18 years of age must either complete a driver education course or obtain a waiver, which is newly defined in RSA 263:19, V. The new provision allows for a waiver if the responsible adult can demonstrate that they have provided classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training equivalent to an approved driver education course.

The bill does not allocate funding or authorize new positions but estimates that the Department of Safety would require one new attorney position to manage the implementation of this waiver process, with projected costs of $134,000 in FY 2027, $138,000 in FY 2028, and $145,000 in FY 2029. However, it is important to note that the bill does not provide the necessary appropriations for this new personnel. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 263:14, 263:19
HB1452 text: 263:14, 263:19