MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Transportation

By: Representative Jennings

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-21, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT A PERSON WHO HOLDS A VALID TEMPORARY MOTORCYCLE DRIVING PERMIT IS NOT REQUIRED TO BE SUPERVISED BY ANOTHER PERSON WHILE OPERATING A MOTORCYCLE IN ROUTE TO A DRIVER'S LICENSE EXAMINING STATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF TAKING THE MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR SKILL TEST; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 63-1-21, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-1-21. (1) Every applicant for a new or original driver's or operator's license, except persons holding an out-of-state license, shall first obtain a temporary driving permit upon the payment of a fee of One Dollar ($1.00) to the Department of Public Safety and upon the successful completion of the examination provided for in Section 63-1-33 and the payment of the fee for such examination provided for in Section 63-1-43.

(2) A temporary driving permit entitles the holder, provided the permit is in his immediate possession, to drive a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle on the highways of the State of Mississippi only when accompanied by a licensed operator who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age and who is actually occupying the seat beside the driver. A temporary driving permit may be issued to any applicant who is at least fifteen (15) years of age. A temporary driving permit shall be valid for a period of one (1) year from the date of issue.

(3) Except as otherwise provided by Section 63-1-6, every applicant for a restricted motorcycle operator's license or a motorcycle endorsement shall first obtain a temporary motorcycle driving permit upon the payment of a fee of One Dollar ($1.00) to the Department of Public Safety, and upon the successful completion of the examination provided for in Section 63-1-33, and payment of the fee for said examination provided for in Section 63-1-43. All applicants for such temporary permit shall * * * be at least fifteen (15) years of age. Every person to whom such temporary permit is issued (a) is prohibited from transporting a passenger on a motorcycle; (b) is prohibited from operating a motorcycle upon any controlled access highway; (c) is prohibited from operating a motorcycle during the hours of 6:00 p.m. through 6:00 a.m.; and (d) except as otherwise authorized under subsection (4) of this section, may operate a motorcycle only under the direct supervision of a person at least twenty-one (21) years of age who possesses either a valid driver's or operator's license with a motorcycle endorsement or a valid restricted motorcycle operator's license. Temporary motorcycle driving permits shall be valid for the same period of time and may be renewed upon the same conditions as temporary driving permits issued for vehicles other than motorcycles.

(4) A person who holds a valid temporary motorcycle driving permit is not required to be supervised by another person as provided under subsection (3)(d) of this section while operating a motorcycle in route to a driver's license examining station for the purpose of taking the motorcycle operator skill test.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.