MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Transportation

By: Representatives Robinson (84th), Barbour, Chism, Formby, Horne, Ketchings, Martinson, Moak, Moore (60th), Ryals, Rushing, Smith (35th), Ward

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-19, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THAT EACH APPLICANT FOR A MISSISSIPPI DRIVER'S LICENSE SHALL SIGN ON THE APPLICATION FORM THAT HE UNDERSTANDS THE MISSISSIPPI MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY-RESPONSIBILITY LAW AND THAT HE SHALL MAINTAIN LIABILITY INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR HIS MOTOR VEHICLE IN THE AMOUNTS REQUIRED BY SUCH LAW; TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE DRIVER'S LICENSE EXAMINER TO TEST THE APPLICANT'S KNOWLEDGE OF THE MISSISSIPPI MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY-RESPONSIBILITY LAW; TO REQUIRE THAT ANY INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS DESIGNED FOR SUCH APPLICANTS SHALL INCLUDE AN EXPLANATION OF THE MISSISSIPPI MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY-RESPONSIBILITY LAW; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 63-1-19, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-1-19. Every applicant for a license issued pursuant to this article shall file an application for such license, on a form provided by the Department of Public Safety, with the commissioner or an official license examiner of the department. All persons not holding valid, unexpired licenses issued in this state shall be required to secure an original license, except those specifically exempted from licensing under Section 63-1-7. The application shall state the name, date of birth, sex, race, color of eyes, color of hair, weight, height and residence address, and whether or not the applicant's privilege to drive has been suspended or revoked at any time, and, if so, when, by whom, and for what cause, and whether any previous application by him has been denied, and whether he has any physical defects which would interfere with his operating a motor vehicle safely upon the highways.

Every applicant for an original license shall show proof of domicile in this state. The commissioner shall promulgate any rules and regulations necessary to enforce this requirement and shall prescribe the means by which an applicant for an original license may show domicile in this state. Proof of domicile shall not be required of applicants under eighteen (18) years of age.

Each application or filing made under this section shall include the Social Security number(s) of the applicant in accordance with Section 93-11-64, Mississippi Code of 1972.

Every applicant shall sign on the application form that he understands the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Safety-Responsibility Law and that he shall maintain liability insurance coverage for his motor vehicle in the amounts required in Section 63-15-3(j).

SECTION 2. Section 63-1-33, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

63-1-33. It shall be the duty of the license examiner, when application is made for an operator's license or temporary driving permit, to test the applicant's ability to read and understand road signs and to give the required signals as adopted by the National Advisory Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators and to test the applicant's knowledge and understanding of the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Safety-Responsibility Law provided in Section 63-15-1 et seq.

The commissioner shall have prepared and administer a test composed of at least ten (10) questions relating to the safe operation of a motor vehicle and testing the applicant's knowledge of the proper operation of a motor vehicle and testing the applicant's knowledge of the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Safety-Responsibility Law.

Prior to the administration of the test the license examiner shall inspect the horn, lights, brakes, inspection certificate and vehicle registration of the motor vehicle which the applicant expects to operate while being tested, and if he finds that any of the aforementioned items are deficient, no license or endorsement shall be issued to the applicant until same have been repaired.

Except as otherwise provided by Section 63-1-6, when application is made for an original motorcycle endorsement or a restricted motorcycle operator's license, the applicant shall be required to pass a written test which consists of questions relating to the safe operation of a motorcycle and a skill test similar to the "Motorcycle Operator Skill Test," which is endorsed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators. The commissioner may exempt any applicant from the skill test if the applicant presents a certificate showing successful completion of a course approved by the commissioner, which includes a similar examination of skills needed in the safe operation of a motorcycle.

Any instructional materials designed for applicants under this chapter shall include an explanation of the Mississippi Motor Vehicle Safety-Responsibility Law.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.