BILL NUMBER: S6241
SPONSOR: LIU
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to the length
of the pre-licensing course required of applicants for a driver's
license
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This legislation would increase the maximum duration an approved pre-li-
censing course can run from five hours to six hours.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 increases the maximum duration an approved pre-licensing
course can run from five hours to six hours.
Section 2 provides the effective date.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Whether it be through the substitution of traditional stop-controlled
intersections by roundabouts and traffic-circles, or the introduction of
new technologies on our roadways, communities throughout New York have
taken proactive steps to increase traffic safety, curb congestion, and
make the air cleaner. As communities progress in enacting new traffic
safety measures, it is critical that individuals who are seeking to
become licensed drivers in New York understand not only the rules and
procedures that are well-established, but the new technologies, inter-
sections, and laws that aren't as notable.
This legislation aims to ensure that new drivers are safe drivers by
granting pre-licensing course instructors the option to extend their
pre- licensing course to six hours in length, an hour beyond the current
statutory limit of five hours. The flexibility that would be afforded by
a six-hour window would enable instructors to incorporate emerging
topics and updated regulations into their course which drivers need only
take once for a lifetime license.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
None.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
Immediately.

Statutes affected:
S6241: 502 vehicle and traffic law, 502(4) vehicle and traffic law