House Bill 94

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 63-1-33, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT BEFORE AN APPLICANT FOR A DRIVER'S LICENSE MAY TAKE THE ROAD TEST HE MUST PRESENT TO THE LICENSE EXAMINER PROOF OF LIABILITY INSURANCE IN EFFECT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLE THAT THE APPLICANT INTENDS TO OPERATE WHILE BEING TESTED; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. 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.

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.

Prior to the administration of the road 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. An applicant shall not be allowed to take the road test unless the applicant presents to the license examiner proof of liability insurance in effect for the vehicle that the applicant expects to operate while being tested.

An applicant for a Mississippi driver's license who, at the time of application, holds a valid motor vehicle driver's license issued by another state shall not be required to take a written test.

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.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2006.