Authorizing the department of transportation to renew certain valid commercial driver’s licenses without examination, including by electronic renewal, and including effective date provisions

Current law allows the department of transportation (DOT) to authorize the renewal of certain valid driver’s licenses without a knowledge examination, including by electronic renewal, so long as certain conditions are met.186A which shows that the applicant’s visual acuity level meets or exceeds those required by the DOT, or be eligible for license renewal electronically under the DOT’s administrative rules. An applicant is not eligible for electronic renewal of a driver’s license if the most recent previous renewal of the applicant’s driver’s license occurred electronically. However, commercial driver’s licenses and commercial learner’s permits are specifically excluded from being eligible for renewal without a knowledge examination, including by electronic renewal. This bill enables the DOT to authorize the renewal of certain commercial driver’s licenses and commercial learner’s permits without a knowledge examination, including by electronic renewal, under the conditions set forth in current law. However, applicants seeking renewal for a hazardous material endorsement are still required to pass a knowledge examination in order to obtain or retain the endorsement, pursuant to federal law. The bill takes effect upon enactment.