HB 23-1147

HB 23-1147 is a Colorado bill that changes the requirements for getting a driver's license for minors under 18 and young adults up to age 20. It requires these groups to complete specific driving education courses and behind-the-wheel training, either with an instructor or a parent/guardian. The bill also sets up a voucher program to help low-income individuals pay for these courses and exams. However, the governor vetoed this bill on May 16, 2023, which means it did not become law despite being signed initially. This affects anyone in Colorado who needs to get their driver's license and qualifies for financial assistance through the voucher program.

Official Summary

The act eliminates the current driver education requirements for a minor to be issued a driver's license and replaces it with the following requirements to be issued a drivers license, including a temporary driver's license: For minors who are under 18 years of age: Complete a 30-hour driver education course approved by the department of revenue (department); and Receive at least 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driving training with a driving instructor or 12 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a parent, a legal guardian, or an alternate permit supervisor; and A minor who is 18 years of age or older and under 21 years of age must: Have been issued a driver's license from another jurisdiction; or Successfully compete a 4-hour prequalification driver awareness program approved by the department. The department is prohibited from collecting a fee for a driving examination if the department did not administer the driving examination. The act also prohibits a person who has been convicted of certain violent or sexual crimes from providing driving instruction to minors. A commercial driving school is prohibited from employing such a driving instructor. Each instructor employed by a commercial driving school must obtain a fingerprint-based criminal history record check to verify that the instructor has not committed a disqualifying crime. The act creates and sets standards for a voucher program that is operated by an enterprise for the purpose of paying private driving schools for conducting driver education courses and examinations for people whose household income is less than 3 times the federal poverty limit. The enterprise is governed by a board that consists of 5 members: One member who represents the executive director of the department and who is the chair of the governing board; One member who has experience providing translation services or administering programs that assist individuals for whom English is not their native language; One member who represents a provider of a driver education course approved by the department; One member who has experience working with youth; and One member who represents rural areas. The enterprise will promulgate policies to administer the voucher program, including: The form and manner to apply for a voucher; The method to demonstrate eligibility for a voucher; and The determination of the voucher amount. An individual that receives a voucher must use the voucher to pay the cost to enroll in a driver education course. Upon request and when reasonably possible, the enterprise is required to provide translation services for driving examinations. To implement the act, a fee is established on applications for or issuance of an instruction permit or a driver's license. VETOED by Governor May 16, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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