HB 24-1135

House Bill 24-1135 in Colorado makes it a more serious offense for individuals without the proper commercial driver's license or under 21 years old to operate a commercial vehicle, changing penalties from traffic infractions to misdemeanors. Employers who knowingly allow such drivers to operate commercial vehicles will also face misdemeanor charges. The bill requires certain studies on traffic enforcement and insurance compliance, and it allocates funds for its implementation. Parts of the bill took effect immediately upon signing by the governor on May 20, 2024, while other parts will take effect on August 1, 2024.

Official Summary

Under existing law, it is a class A traffic infraction to operate a commercial motor vehicle without a commercial driver's license, to operate a commercial motor vehicle if the operator is under 21 years of age, or to drive a commercial motor vehicle if the person has more than one driver's license. The act makes each a class 1 misdemeanor; except that, if a person presents a valid commercial driver's license to the court within 30 days, the offense is a class A traffic infraction. The act creates the offense of unlawful direction to operate a commercial motor vehicle. An employer who authorizes or permits an employee who the employer knows or reasonably should know does not have a commercial driver's license or is under 21 years of age to operate a commercial motor vehicle commits unlawful direction to operate a commercial motor vehicle, a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense. The act requires the transportation legislation review committee to study the following issues during the 2024 legislative interim: Enforcement of impaired driving offenses, including situations involving a driver who refuses to take or complete a blood or breath test as required by law; Careless driving that results in accidental death, including whether available civil and criminal charges and penalties for those incidents are appropriate; and The appropriate penalty for failing to maintain motor vehicle or low-powered scooter insurance and failing to present evidence of insurance to a requesting officer. The act appropriates $1,455 from the Colorado DRIVES vehicle services account in the highway users tax fund to the department of revenue to implement the act's provisions. APPROVED by Governor May 20, 2024 PORTIONS EFFECTIVE May 20, 2024 PORTIONS EFFECTIVE August 1, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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