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HB0020 • 2021

Driver's license requirements-visual acuity.

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; amending the driver's license requirement to demonstrate visual acuity; requiring rulemaking; and providing for effective dates.

Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Transportation
Last action
2021-03-30
Official status
enrolled
Effective date
7/1/2021

Plain English Breakdown

The exact way people will prove their vision meets requirements is not clear until new rules are created.

Driver's License Vision Requirements

This law changes how people need to show they have good enough vision when getting or renewing a driver's license.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the rules for getting a motorcycle instruction permit, requiring applicants to prove their eyesight meets certain standards set by the department instead of taking a specific test.
  • Updates the requirements for applying for a regular driver's license and instructional permits to require proof of good vision according to new rules made by the transportation department.
  • Modifies the process for renewing a driver's license, requiring applicants to show they meet visual acuity standards set by the department rather than taking an eyesight test.
  • Requires the Wyoming Department of Transportation to create specific rules about how to prove someone has good enough vision within six months after the law takes effect.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People applying for a motorcycle instruction permit, driver's license, or renewal of their license in Wyoming.

Terms To Know

Visual acuity
How clearly someone can see details at a distance.
Department rules
Specific guidelines made by the transportation department to explain how laws should be followed.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The exact way people will prove their vision meets requirements is not clear until new rules are created.
  • It's unclear if there will be changes for those who already have a driver’s license when this law starts.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HB0020H2001

2nd reading • Representative Burkhart

Adopted

Plain English: The amendment adds new requirements for driver's license extensions, including visual acuity tests and electronic notifications.

  • Adds a requirement that the Division of Motor Vehicles must notify drivers about their license expiration at least 120 days before it expires.
  • Requires drivers to submit proof of adequate vision (at least 20/40) when applying for a license extension, tested within one year prior to application.
  • Specifies that applications and fees must be submitted at least 30 days before the expiration date.
  • The amendment text does not specify what happens if a driver fails to meet these new requirements or misses the deadline for submitting an application.

Bill History

  1. 2021-03-30 LSO

    Assigned Chapter Number 38

  2. 2021-03-30 Governor

    Governor Signed HEA No. 0020

  3. 2021-03-26 Senate

    S President Signed HEA No. 0020

  4. 2021-03-26 House

    H Speaker Signed HEA No. 0020

  5. 2021-03-26 LSO

    Assigned Number HEA No. 0020

  6. 2021-03-25 Senate

    S 3rd Reading:Passed 27-3-0-0-0

  7. 2021-03-24 Senate

    S 2nd Reading:Passed

  8. 2021-03-23 Senate

    S COW:Passed

  9. 2021-03-18 Senate

    S Placed on General File

  10. 2021-03-18 Senate

    S08 - Transportation:Recommend Do Pass 5-0-0-0-0

  11. 2021-03-12 Senate

    S Introduced and Referred to S08 - Transportation

  12. 2021-03-04 Senate

    S Received for Introduction

  13. 2021-03-03 House

    H 3rd Reading:Passed 60-0-0-0-0

  14. 2021-03-02 House

    H 2nd Reading:Passed

  15. 2021-03-01 House

    H COW:Passed

  16. 2021-02-02 House

    H Placed on General File

  17. 2021-02-02 House

    H08 - Transportation:Recommend Do Pass 9-0-0-0-0

  18. 2021-02-01 House

    H Introduced and Referred to H08 - Transportation

  19. 2021-01-12 House

    H Received for Introduction

  20. 2020-12-21 LSO

    Bill Number Assigned

Official Summary Text

Bill Summary - 21LSO-0050
Bill No.:

HB0020

Effective:

Multiple Dates

LSO No.:

21LSO-0050

Enrolled Act No.:

HEA No. 0020

Chapter No.:

38

Prime Sponsor:

Joint Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Interim Committee

Catch Title:

Driver's license requirements-visual acuity.

Subject:

Requiring demonstration of visual acuity for driver's license.

Summary/Major Elements:

Current laws to ensure adequate vision for those applying for a driver's license or a renewal driver's license state that the Wyoming Department of Transportation Division of Driver Services will "examine" applicants or require them to "take and successfully pass a test," which could be interpreted as the applicant needing to physically enter facilities for the vision test.

This act amends requirements for a person applying for a driver's license to "demonstrate adequate visual acuity according to department rules." The act also standardizes the language among the provisions for applying for a driver's license, a renewal license and an instructional permit.

The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent.

While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
21LSO-0050

ORIGINAL House

Bill No
.
HB0020

ENROLLED ACT NO. 20,

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SIXTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WYOMING
2021 General Session

AN ACT relating to motor vehicles; amending the driver's license requirement to demonstrate visual acuity; requiring rulemaking; and providing for effective dates.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Wyoming:

Section 1.

W.S. 31
‑
7
‑
110(b), 31
‑
7
‑
114(a) and 31
‑
7
‑
119(b) and (g) are amended to read:

31
‑
7
‑
110.

Instruction and temporary driver's permits.

(b)

Any person at least fifteen (15) years of age may apply to the division for a motorcycle instruction permit. The division, after the applicant has successfully passed a written examination and
a vision test
has demonstrated adequate visual acuity according to department rules,
may issue to the applicant an instruction permit
which
that
entitles the applicant to drive a motorcycle for a period of ninety (90) days without a passenger. If the applicant also passes a driving test, the division may issue an instruction permit
which
that
entitles the applicant to drive a motorcycle for a period of one (1) year, without a passenger. The motorcycle instruction permit for a person who is under seventeen (17) years of age shall be subject to restricted hours of operation as provided in W.S. 31
‑
7
‑
110(h)(ii)(B) through (E).

31
‑
7
‑
114.

Examinations; visual acuity.

(a)

The division shall examine every applicant for a driver's license and instructional permit
and shall require each applicant to demonstrate adequate visual acuity according to department rules
. The
division's
examination shall include a test of the applicant's
eyesight, his
ability to read and understand official traffic control devices
, his

and the applicant's
knowledge of safe driving practices
,

and
the traffic laws of the state
.

and
The examination
may
also
include an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle of the type or class of vehicles to be driven.

31
‑
7
‑
119.

Expiration and renewal; required tests; extension.

(b)

The division shall require every person applying for renewal of a driver's license to
take and successfully pass a test of his eyesight
demonstrate adequate visual acuity according to department rules
. The division may require any applicant to take and successfully pass any additional tests or provide affidavits required or authorized under the original application as the division finds reasonably necessary to determine
his
the applicant's
qualification according to the type or class of license. The written test for a hazardous materials endorsement shall be taken and passed if the person wants to retain an "H" endorsement unless the applicant's written test results are less than two (2) years old.

(g)

The division shall send a notification for license extension pursuant to subsection (f) of this section to the last known address of an eligible licensee, or notify by electronic means if the eligible licensee has consented to receive notices electronically, within one hundred twenty (120) days prior to license expiration. The license extension application shall be returned to the division with a postmark at least thirty (30) days before the license expiration date or, if the eligible licensee has consented to receive notices electronically, by electronic means at least thirty (30) days before the license expiration date. The application shall be accompanied by written evidence that the
applicant's visual acuity is 20/40 or better with or without corrective lenses, as tested within one (1) year prior to submitting the application
applicant has demonstrated adequate visual acuity according to department rules
.

Upon receipt of a completed application and the fee prescribed by W.S. 31
‑
7
‑
113(a)(v), the division shall issue a license extension to eligible licensees. The division shall provide a summary of changes in the law relating to motor vehicles to licensees who receive a license extension.

Section 2.

Not later than July 1, 2021, t
he department of transportation shall promulgate rules to accomplish the purposes of this act.

Section 3.

(a)

Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this act is effective immediately upon completion of all acts necessary for a bill to become law as provided by Article 4, Section 8 of the Wyoming Constitution.

(b)

Section 1 of this act is effective July

1,

2021.

(END)

Speaker of the House

President of the Senate

Governor

TIME APPROVED: _________

DATE APPROVED: _________

I hereby certify that this act originated in the House.

Chief Clerk

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