The bill amends Section 31-10-20 of the General Laws regarding the requirements for obtaining a limited-instruction permit or license for individuals under eighteen years of age. It stipulates that such individuals must successfully complete a driver education course recognized by the state board of education, which can now be conducted in a classroom setting or in an instructor-led virtual format. This virtual format will be permitted for a two-year period from October 1, 2025, to October 1, 2027. Additionally, the state board of education is required to provide a report by December 1, 2027, analyzing the test results of the instructor-led virtual instruction format compared to the in-person classroom instruction format.

The bill retains existing provisions that exempt individuals over eighteen years of age who have held a motor vehicle operator's license from another state for at least one year from these requirements. Overall, the bill aims to modernize driver education by allowing virtual instruction while ensuring that educational standards are maintained.

Statutes affected:
5731: 31-10-20
5731  SUB A: 31-10-20