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An Act To Require Driver Education for All New Drivers
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 29-A MRSA §1351, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1999, c. 470, §20, is repealed and the following enacted in its place:
 
1.  Driver education required.     Except to operate a moped only, a license may not be issued to a person:
 
A.  Under 18 years of age unless that person presents a certificate of successful completion of an approved driver education course and examination; or
 
B.  Eighteen years of age or older unless that person presents a certificate of successful completion of at least 4 hours of an approved driver education course.
 
The requirement of completion of an approved driver education course may be waived for a person who holds a valid driver's license from another jurisdiction.
Sec. 2. Secretary of State directed to amend rules governing driver education. The Secretary of State shall establish rules authorized by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 29-A, section 153 governing the driver education curriculum for persons 18 years of age or older. The curriculum must include, but is not limited to, a review of motor vehicle laws in this State and information about driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and its effect on a person's ability to drive safely.
 
SUMMARY
This bill requires persons 18 years of age or older to successfully complete a 4-hour driver education course before they are issued a license to operate a motor vehicle in this State. The bill also directs the Secretary of State to establish rules governing the driver education curriculum for persons who are 18 years of age or older so that the driver education course includes, but is not limited to, a review of motor vehicle laws and information about driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and its effect on a person's ability to drive safely.