HB2003

THE CONTEXT: A person who is at least 15 years and 6 months of age may apply to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) for an instruction permit for a class D, G or M license. ADOT may issue an instruction permit to the applicant after the applicant successfully passes all parts of the examination other than the driving or motorcycle skill test.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would mandate that an instruction permit may be issued by ADOT for a class D, G or M license to a person who is at least 15 years of age, instead of at least 15 years and 6 months of age, extend the validity period, from 12 to 18 months, for an instruction permit to drive a vehicle requiring a class D or G license on public highways, and increase the validity period, from 7 to 12 months, for a permit to operate a motorcycle requiring a class M license.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to make the licensing pathway more workable while retaining a defined state standard. It would mandate that an instruction permit may be issued by ADOT for a class D, G or M license to a person who is at least 15 years of age, instead of at least 15 years and 6 months of age, and would also extend the validity period, from 12 to 18 months, for an instruction permit to drive a vehicle requiring a class D or G license on public highways, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.