Chapter 789 Oregon Laws 1999

Session Law

 

AN ACT

 

SB 487

 

Relating to driving privileges for minors; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 807.065 and 809.410.

 

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

 

      SECTION 1. Section 2 of this 1999 Act is added to and made a part of ORS chapter 807.

      SECTION 2. The Department of Transportation shall not issue driving privileges to a person who is under 18 years of age unless the person:

      (1) Has graduated from high school and provides the department with proof of graduation satisfactory to the department;

      (2) Has received a General Educational Development (GED) certificate from a community college and provides the department with proof of the certificate satisfactory to the department;

      (3) Provides the department with a form provided by the department and signed by the principal, or the designee of the principal, of the secondary school attended by the person that declares that the person is enrolled in a secondary school of this state or any other state;

      (4) Provides the department with a form provided by the department and signed by the authorized representative of the community college attended by the person that declares that the person is making satisfactory progress toward a General Educational Development (GED) certificate;

      (5) Provides the department with a form provided by the department and signed by the authorized representative of the community college attended by the person that declares that the person is making satisfactory progress toward a high school diploma;

      (6) Provides the department with a form provided by the department and signed by the authorized representative of the education service district or school district having jurisdiction over the area of the person's residence that declares that the person is being taught by a private teacher or parent in compliance with ORS 339.035;

      (7) Provides the department with documentation satisfactory to the department that indicates that the person is exempted from school attendance requirements due to circumstances beyond the control of the person; or

      (8) Provides the department with documentation satisfactory to the department that the person is exempt under ORS 339.030 (5) from the requirement to attend school.

      SECTION 3. Section 4 of this 1999 Act is added to and made a part of ORS chapter 339.

      SECTION 4. (1) The principal or a designee of the principal of a secondary school shall provide documentation of enrollment status on a form provided by the Department of Transportation to any student at least 15 years of age and under 18 years of age who is properly enrolled in the school and who needs the documentation in order to apply for issuance or reinstatement of driving privileges. The form shall be available at the administrative offices of the school district for a student who applies for issuance or reinstatement of driving privileges during school holidays.

      (2) A school district board may establish a policy authorizing the superintendent of the school district or the board to notify the department of the withdrawal from school of a student who is at least 15 years of age and under 18 years of age. For purposes of this subsection, a student shall be considered to have withdrawn from school after more than 10 consecutive school days of unexcused absences or 15 school days total of unexcused absences during a single semester. A policy adopted under this subsection shall include a provision allowing a student to appeal a decision to notify the department.

      (3) The governing body of a private school may establish a policy authorizing a representative of the school to notify the department of a student's withdrawal. Terms and conditions of the policy shall be the same as those described in subsection (2) of this section for a school district board.

      SECTION 5. ORS 807.065 is amended to read:

      807.065. (1) The Department of Transportation shall not issue a driver license to a person who is under 18 years of age unless the person complies with the requirements of ORS 807.040 and section 2 of this 1999 Act and passes an examination designed to test the person's knowledge and understanding of safe driving practices. The examination under this subsection is in addition to any examination required under ORS 807.070.

      (2) If the person takes but does not pass a test that consists of an actual demonstration of driving ability under ORS 807.070, the department may not allow the person to perform the demonstration again until the person has had an instruction permit issued pursuant to ORS 807.280 for a period of not less than one month.

      (3) A driver license issued pursuant to this section shall be a provisional driver license subject to the provisions of ORS 809.405 in addition to any other provision of law.

      (4) The department shall prominently identify each driver license issued pursuant to this section as a provisional driver license.

      SECTION 6. ORS 809.410 is amended to read:

      809.410. This section, ORS 813.400 and 813.403 establish grounds for the suspension and revocation of driving privileges and commercial driver licenses by the Department of Transportation, whether the suspension or revocation is mandatory or permissive, the length of time the suspensions will be effective and special provisions relating to certain suspensions and revocations. Hearing and administrative review procedures for this section, ORS 813.400 and 813.403 are established under ORS 809.440. The following apply as described:

      (1) Any degree of murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide or assault resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle constitutes grounds for revocation of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) Upon receipt of a record of conviction for an offense described in this subsection, the department shall revoke the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges.

      (b) The revocation shall be for a period described in this paragraph except that the department shall not reinstate any driving privileges to the person until the person complies with future responsibility filings. The period of revocation shall be:

      (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, eight years from the date the person is released from incarceration, if the sentence includes incarceration. If the sentence does not include incarceration, the period of revocation shall begin on the date the department receives the record of conviction.

      (B) One year if the revocation is for an assault that is not punishable as a felony. The period of revocation shall begin on the date the person is released from incarceration, if the sentence includes incarceration. If the sentence does not include incarceration, the period of revocation shall begin on the date the department receives the record of conviction.

      (c) A person is entitled to administrative review of a revocation under this subsection.

      (d) The provisions of this subsection do not apply to a person whose driving privileges are ordered revoked under ORS 809.235.

      (2) Any degree of recklessly endangering another person, menacing or criminal mischief resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) Upon receipt of a record of conviction for an offense described in this subsection, the department shall suspend the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges.

      (b) A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (c) A suspension under this subsection shall be for a period described under Schedule I of ORS 809.420, except that the department shall not reinstate any driving privileges to the person until the person has complied with future responsibility filings.

      (3) Perjury or the making of a false affidavit to the department under any law of this state requiring the registration of vehicles or regulating their operation on the highways constitutes grounds for revocation of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) Upon receipt of a record of conviction for an offense described in this subsection, the department shall revoke the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges.

      (b) The revocation shall be for a period of one year from the date of revocation except that the department shall not reinstate any driving privileges to the person until the person complies with future responsibility filings.

      (c) A person is entitled to administrative review of a revocation under this subsection.

      (4) Any felony conviction with proof of a material element involving the operation of a motor vehicle constitutes grounds for revocation of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) Upon receipt of a record of conviction for an offense described in this subsection, the department shall revoke the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges.

      (b) The revocation shall be for a period of one year from the date of revocation except that the department shall not reinstate any driving privileges to the person until the person complies with future responsibility filings.

      (c) A person is entitled to administrative review of a revocation under this subsection.

      (5) Failure to perform the duties of a driver to injured persons under ORS 811.705 constitutes grounds for revocation of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) Upon receipt of a record of conviction for an offense described in this subsection, the department shall revoke the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges.

      (b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this subsection, the revocation shall be for a period of one year from the date of revocation except that the department shall not reinstate any driving privileges to the person until the person complies with future responsibility filings.

      (c) If the court indicates on the record of conviction that a person was killed as a result of the accident, the revocation shall be for a period of five years. The period of revocation shall begin on the date the person is released from incarceration, if the sentence includes incarceration. If the sentence does not include incarceration, the period of revocation shall begin on the date the department receives the record of conviction.

      (d) A person is entitled to administrative review of a revocation under this subsection.

      (6) Reckless driving constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) Upon receipt of a record of conviction for an offense described in this subsection, the department shall suspend the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges.

      (b) The suspension shall be for the periods of time described under Schedule I of ORS 809.420 except that the department shall not reinstate any driving privileges to the person until the person complies with future responsibility filings.

      (c) A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (7) Failure to perform duties of a driver when property is damaged under ORS 811.700 constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) Upon receipt of a record of conviction of an offense described in this subsection, the department shall suspend the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges.

      (b) The suspension shall be for the periods of time described under Schedule I of ORS 809.420 except the department shall not reinstate any driving privileges to the person until the person complies with future responsibility filings.

      (c) A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (8) Fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer under ORS 811.540 constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) Upon receipt of a conviction for an offense described in this subsection, the department shall suspend the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges.

      (b) The suspension shall be for a period described under Schedule I of ORS 809.420 except the department shall not reinstate any driving privileges to the person until the person complies with future responsibility filings.

      (c) A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (9) Failure to file accident reports required under ORS 811.725 or 811.730 constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) The department shall suspend the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges if the person fails to make the required accident reports.

      (b) The suspension shall continue until the person makes the required reports and complies with future responsibility filings or for five years from the date of suspension, whichever is sooner.

      (10) Failure to make future responsibility filing described in this subsection constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) The department shall suspend the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges of a person who fails to comply with future responsibility filings whenever required under the vehicle code or to provide new proof for future responsibility filings when requested by the department.

      (b) The suspension shall continue until the person complies with future responsibility filings.

      (c) A person whose initial obligation to make future responsibility filings is not based upon a conviction or other action by a court is entitled to a contested case hearing prior to a suspension under this subsection. A person whose obligation to make future responsibility filings is based upon a conviction or other action by a court is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection. A person whose suspension under this subsection is based on lapses in filing after the initial filing has been made is entitled to administrative review.

      (11) Failure to settle judgments as described in this subsection constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) The department shall suspend the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges if a person has a judgment of the type described under ORS 806.040 rendered against the person and the person does not settle the judgment in the manner described under ORS 809.470 within 60 days after its entry.

      (b) A suspension under this subsection shall continue until the person complies with future responsibility filings and does one of the following:

      (A) Settles the judgment in the manner described in ORS 809.470.

      (B) Has an insurer which has been found by the department to be obligated to pay the judgment provided that there has been no final adjudication by a court that such insurer has no such obligation.

      (C) Gives evidence to the department that a period of seven years has elapsed since the entry of the judgment.

      (D) Receives from the court that rendered the judgment an order permitting the payment thereof in installments.

      (c) A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (12) False certification of financial responsibility requirements constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) The department shall suspend the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges if a person falsely certifies the existence of a motor vehicle liability insurance policy or the existence of some other means of satisfying financial responsibility requirements or if a person, after certifying the existence of a motor vehicle liability insurance policy or other means of satisfying the requirements, allows the policy to lapse or be canceled or otherwise fails to remain in compliance with financial responsibility requirements.

      (b) The department shall only suspend under this subsection if proof of compliance with financial responsibility requirements as of the date of the letter of verification from the department under ORS 806.150 is not submitted within 30 days after the date of the mailing of the department's demand therefor under ORS 806.160.

      (c) The suspension shall continue until the person complies with future responsibility filings.

      (13) Failure to take examination upon request of the department under ORS 807.340 constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) The department shall suspend the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges of a person if the department requests the person to submit to examination under ORS 807.340 and the person fails to appear within a reasonable length of time after being notified to do so or fails to satisfactorily complete the required examination.

      (b) The suspension shall continue until the examination required by the department is successfully completed.

      (c) Upon suspension under this subsection, the department may issue an identification card to the person for identification purposes as described under ORS 807.400.

      (14) Failure to obtain required medical clearance under ORS 807.070 or 807.090 upon request by the department constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) The department shall suspend the driving privileges of the person if the department requests the person to obtain medical clearance described by this subsection and the person fails to do so.

      (b) The suspension under this subsection shall continue until the required medical clearance is received by the department.

      (15) Causing or contributing to an accident resulting in death or injury to any other person or serious property damage through incompetence, recklessness, criminal negligence or unlawful operation of a motor vehicle constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) The department immediately may suspend the driving privileges of any person without hearing and without receiving a record of the conviction of such person of crime if the department has reason to believe that the person may endanger people or property if not immediately suspended. Any suspension under this paragraph shall be subject to a post-imposition hearing under ORS 809.440.

      (b) A suspension under this subsection shall continue for a period determined by the department and be subject to any conditions the department determines necessary.

      (16) Incompetence to drive a motor vehicle because of a mental or physical condition rendering it unsafe for a person to drive a motor vehicle upon the highways constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) The department immediately may suspend the driving privileges of any person without hearing and without receiving a record of the conviction of such person of crime if the department has reason to believe that the person may endanger people or property if not immediately suspended. A suspension under this paragraph shall be subject to a post-imposition hearing under ORS 809.440 except that a person who has submitted a certificate of eligibility under ORS 807.090 is entitled only to administrative review of a suspension.

      (b) A suspension under this subsection shall continue for a period determined by the department and be subject to any conditions the department determines necessary.

      (17) Habitual incompetence, recklessness or criminal negligence of a driver of a motor vehicle or committing a serious violation of the motor vehicle laws of this state constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) The department immediately may suspend the driving privileges of any person without hearing and without receiving a record of the conviction of such person of crime if the department has reason to believe that the person may endanger people or property if not immediately suspended. Any suspension under this paragraph shall be subject to a post-imposition hearing under ORS 809.440.

      (b) A suspension under this subsection shall continue for a period determined by the department and be subject to any conditions the department determines necessary.

      (18) A conviction under ORS 811.700 or 811.705 for failure to perform the duties of a driver while operating a commercial motor vehicle or any conviction of a crime punishable as a felony involving the operation of a commercial motor vehicle constitutes grounds for commercial driver license suspension. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) Upon receipt of a record of conviction for an offense described in this subsection, the department shall suspend the commercial driver license or right to apply for a commercial driver license of the person convicted.

      (b) The suspension shall be for a period of time according to the following:

      (A) If the person's commercial driver license has not previously been suspended under this subsection, ORS 813.403 or 813.410 (2) and the person was not driving a commercial motor vehicle containing a hazardous material at the time the offense was committed, the suspension shall be for a period of one year.

      (B) If the person's commercial driver license has not previously been suspended under this subsection, ORS 813.403 or 813.410 (2) and the person was driving a commercial motor vehicle containing a hazardous material at the time the offense was committed, the suspension shall be for a period of three years.

      (C) If the person's commercial driver license has previously been suspended under this subsection, ORS 813.403 or 813.410 (2), the suspension shall be for the lifetime of the person.

      (c) A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (19) Use of a commercial motor vehicle in the commission of a crime punishable as a felony involving the manufacturing, distributing or dispensing of a controlled substance constitutes grounds for commercial driver license suspension. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) Upon receipt of a record of conviction for an offense described in this subsection, the department shall suspend the commercial driver license or right to apply for a commercial driver license of the person convicted.

      (b) The suspension shall be for the lifetime of the person.

      (c) A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (d) "Controlled substance" has the meaning given that term in ORS 475.005 (6).

      (20) Incompetence to operate a motorcycle constitutes grounds for revocation of a motorcycle indorsement. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) Whenever the department has reason to believe an individual with a motorcycle indorsement under ORS 807.170 comes within the grounds described in this subsection, the department may revoke the indorsement.

      (b) Upon revocation under this subsection, the license shall be surrendered to the department.

      (c) Upon surrender of the indorsed license, the department may issue a license without indorsement for the unexpired period of the license.

      (21) The department forthwith shall suspend the driving privileges of any person for a period of time required by this subsection if the person is involved in a motor vehicle accident at any time when the department determines the person has been operating a vehicle in violation of ORS 806.010. A suspension under this subsection shall be for a period of one year except that the department shall not reinstate any driving privileges to the person until the person complies with future responsibility filing requirements.

      (22) Upon notification by the superintendent of a hospital under ORS 807.700 that a person should not drive, the department shall immediately suspend the driving privileges of the released person. A suspension under this subsection is subject to administrative review and shall continue until such time as the person produces a judicial decree of competency or a certificate from the superintendent of the hospital that the person is competent or establishes eligibility under ORS 807.090.

      (23) Upon notification by a court under ORS 153.625 that a person charged with a traffic offense has been found guilty except for insanity and committed to the jurisdiction of the Psychiatric Security Review Board, the department shall immediately suspend the driving privileges of the person. A suspension under this subsection is subject to administrative review and shall continue until such time as the person establishes eligibility under ORS 807.090.

      (24) The department shall suspend driving privileges when provided under ORS 809.290. The suspension shall continue until the earlier of the following:

      (a) The person establishes to the satisfaction of the department that the person has performed all acts necessary under ORS 809.290 to make the person not subject to suspension.

      (b) Five years from the date the suspension is imposed.

      (c) A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (25) Criminal trespass under ORS 164.245 that involves the operation of a motor vehicle constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to suspension on grounds described in this subsection:

      (a) Upon receipt of a conviction for an offense described in this subsection, the department shall suspend the driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges of the person convicted for a period of six months from the date of suspension.

      (b) A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (26) Agreements entered under ORS 802.530 may establish grounds and procedures for the suspension of driving privileges.

      (27) Violation of restrictions placed on driving privileges under ORS 807.120 or 809.310 constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. The following apply to this subsection:

      (a) The department immediately may suspend the driving privileges of any person without hearing and without receiving a record of the conviction of such person of crime if the department receives satisfactory evidence that the person has violated restrictions placed on the person's driving privileges. Any suspension under this paragraph shall be subject to a post-imposition hearing under ORS 809.440.

      (b) A suspension under this subsection shall continue for a period determined by the department, but in no event for longer than one year, and shall be subject to any conditions the department determines necessary.

      (28)(a) The department shall suspend driving privileges as provided under ORS 809.405.

      (b) The suspension shall continue until the person reaches 18 years of age or until the suspension is terminated as provided in ORS 809.405.

      (c) A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (29) Upon receipt of a record of a person's second conviction of a serious traffic violation within a three-year period, the department shall suspend the person's commercial driver license or right to apply for a commercial driver license if the convictions arose out of separate incidents. A suspension under this subsection shall be for a period of 60 days. A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (30) Upon receipt of a record of a person's third or subsequent conviction of a serious traffic violation within a three-year period, the department shall suspend the person's commercial driver license or right to apply for a commercial driver license if the convictions arose out of separate incidents. A suspension under this subsection shall be for a period of 120 days. A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (31)(a) Upon receipt of a record of conviction of an offense described in ORS 809.310, the department shall, or upon determination by the department that the person has committed an act that constitutes such an offense, the department may suspend any driving privileges, any right to apply for privileges or any identification card of the person convicted or determined to have committed the act.

      (b) A suspension under this subsection shall continue for a period of one year.

      (c) A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection if the suspension is based upon a conviction. If the suspension is based upon a determination by the department, the person is entitled to a hearing as described in ORS 809.440.

      (32) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (34) of this section, upon receipt of a first notice indicating that a person has violated an out-of-service order issued under ORS 813.050 or has knowingly violated any other out-of-service order or notice, the department shall suspend the person's commercial driver license or right to apply for a commercial driver license for a period of 90 days. For purposes of this subsection, "notice" includes, but is not necessarily limited to, a record of conviction and a record of a determination by a state or federal agency with jurisdiction to make such determinations that the person has violated an out-of-service order or notice. A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (33) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (35) of this section, upon receipt of a second or subsequent notice within a 10-year period indicating that a person has violated an out-of-service order issued under ORS 813.050 or has knowingly violated any other out-of-service order or notice, the department shall suspend the person's commercial driver license or right to apply for a commercial driver license for a period of three years. For purposes of this subsection, "notice" includes, but is not necessarily limited to, a record of conviction and a record of a determination by a state or federal agency with jurisdiction to make such determinations that the person has violated an out-of-service order or notice. A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (34) Upon receipt of a first notice indicating that a person has violated an out-of-service order while transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded, or while operating a motor vehicle designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver, the department shall suspend the person's commercial driver license or right to apply for a commercial driver license for a period of one year. For purposes of this subsection, "notice" includes, but is not necessarily limited to, a record of conviction and a record of a determination by a state or federal agency with jurisdiction to make such determinations that the person has violated an out-of-service order or notice. A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (35) Upon receipt of a second or subsequent notice within a 10-year period indicating that a person has violated an out-of-service order, if the person was transporting hazardous materials required to be placarded, or was operating a motor vehicle designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver, then regardless of the load or kind of vehicle involved in the first notice, the department shall suspend the person's commercial driver license or right to apply for a commercial driver license for a period of five years. For purposes of this subsection, "notice" includes, but is not necessarily limited to, a record of conviction and a record of a determination by a state or federal agency with jurisdiction to make such determinations that the person has violated an out-of-service order or notice. A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (36) Upon receipt of a record of a person's conviction of reckless endangerment of highway workers under ORS 811.231 (1), the department shall suspend the person's driving privileges or right to apply for driving privileges. The suspension shall be for periods of time described under Schedule I of ORS 809.420 except the department shall not reinstate any driving privileges to the person until the person complies with future responsibility filings. A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (37) Upon notification by a school superintendent or a school district board under ORS 339.254, the department shall suspend the driving privileges of a person or the right to apply for driving privileges. The suspension shall be for the amount of time stated in the notice. A person is entitled to administrative review of a suspension under this subsection.

      (38) Withdrawal from school by a person under 18 years of age constitutes grounds for suspension of driving privileges. Upon receipt of a notice under section 4 of this 1999 Act that a person under 18 years of age has withdrawn from school, the department shall notify the person that driving privileges will be suspended on the 30th day following the date of the notice unless the person presents documentation that complies with section 2 of this 1999 Act. A suspension under this subsection shall continue until the person reaches 18 years of age or until the person presents documentation that complies with section 2 of this 1999 Act. Appeals of a suspension under this subsection shall be as provided by a school district or private school under a policy adopted in accordance with section 4 of this 1999 Act.

      SECTION 7. Sections 2 to 4 of this 1999 Act and the amendments to ORS 807.065 and 809.410 by sections 5 and 6 of this 1999 Act become operative September 1, 2000.

 

Approved by the Governor July 20, 1999

 

Filed in the office of Secretary of State July 20, 1999

 

Effective date October 23, 1999

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