Relating to the driving privileges of persons under the age of eighteen who were previously issued a special minor’s restricted license that was subsequently suspended, and including applicability provisions

Under current law, a person between the ages of 14 and 18 who holds a special minor’s restricted license (licensee) is authorized to operate a motor vehicle without supervision between certain approved locations for a number of purposes during specified times. If a licensee violates the restrictions of a special minor’s restricted license, is at fault in an accident or collision, or is convicted for violating a state law or city ordinance regulating the operation of motor vehicles on highways, other than parking violations, the department of transportation (DOT) is required to suspend the license for three months and is prohibited from issuing an intermediate license to the person for an additional three months following the person’s 16th birthday. This bill authorizes the DOT to issue an instruction permit to a person whose special minor’s restricted license is suspended. An instruction permit entitles a person under the age of 18 to operate a motor vehicle upon the highways while accompanied. The accompanying person must occupy the front seat beside the driver, hold a driver’s license valid for the vehicle operated, and be the parent, guardian, or custodian of the permittee, a member of the permittee’s immediate family if the family member is at least 21 years of age, an approved driver education instructor, a prospective driver education instructor who is enrolled in a practitioner preparation program with a safety education program approved by the state board of education, or a person at least 25 years of age if written permission is granted by the parent, guardian, or custodian. The fee for an instruction permit is $6. The bill applies on and after March 1, 2027, or the publication date of the issue of the Iowa administrative bulletin that includes a statement by the director of transportation that the DOT’s new driver’s license information technology system is implemented, whichever is earlier. The DOT is required to forward a copy of the statement to the Iowa Code editor prior to publication.