Relating to the maximum driving distance for persons issued a special minor’s restricted driver’s license who participate in open enrollment

Under current law, a person between the ages of 14 and 18 years 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, including to attend duly scheduled courses of instruction regardless of whether the licensee is receiving competent private instruction or independent private instruction, or is enrolled in a public school or accredited nonpublic school. A licensee is authorized to operate a motor vehicle during the hour before and after the beginning and end of the licensee’s duly scheduled courses of instruction. The driving distance between the point of origin and the destination cannot exceed 25 miles, unless the licensee attends a public school and resides within that public school district, in which case the licensee may operate a motor vehicle between the licensee’s residence and school regardless of the distance. This bill authorizes a licensee participating in open enrollment to operate a motor vehicle no more than 40 miles, rather than 25 miles, between the licensee’s residence and school. A licensee who violates the restrictions of a special minor’s restricted license commits a simple misdemeanor, classified as a moving violation, punishable by a $70 scheduled fine. Additionally, the department of transportation must 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 sixteenth birthday.