Requires a holder of a class DJ or class MJ learner's permit, while operating a vehicle, to display a sign indicating that such vehicle is being driven by a new driver; authorizes the commissioner to create the form and distribution for such sign upon the issuance of the learner's permit.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A9627
SPONSOR: Hyndman TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to signage for
persons driving under a learner's permit
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law requiring Learner License
signage to be displayed on all vehicles being operated by a driver hold-
ing a learners permit.
SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS:
Section 1: Subdivision 1 of section 501-b of the vehicle and traffic
law, as added by chapter 644 of the laws of 2002, paragraphs (c) and (d)
as amended by chapter 403 of the laws of. 2009, is amended.
Section 2: This act shall take effect on the first of September next
succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
JUSTIFICATION:
While New York has placed additional restrictions on new drivers in an
effort to protect new and young drivers, accidents still occur, in
alarming frequency. Oftentimes, accidents occur as the result of other
driver mistakes and/or actions rather the newly learning driver. The
display of a learner's license tag or plate on the rear view window of
an automobile will alert other drivers that a learning driver is operat-
ing the vehicle. Drivers around the learning driver could then exercise
more caution in their driving behavior. The learning driver would also
benefit knowing that other drivers on the road are aware that he or she
is learning how to drive.
This practice is widespread throughout the, world. New drivers in the
United Kingdom, Ireland, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Austra-
lia, New Zealand, Switzerland, and Great British Columbia, are require
to place learner tags on their vehicles.
The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall determine the form and nature
of the learner signage with the requirement that the signage is remova-
ble and transferable from vehicle to vehicle, and that is clearly
displayed to motorists who are near the vehicle.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
2021-22: S.5220 - Referred to Transportation
2019-20: S.4792 - Referred to Transportation
2017-18: S.3285 - REFERRED TO TRANSPORTATION
2015-16: S.1169/A.5535- Referred to Transportation
2013-14: S.1612/A.685-Referred to Transportation
2011-12: S.1057/A4252-Referred to Transportation
2009-10: S.5379/A.4180Referred to Transportation
2008: A.9496 Referred to Transportation
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
Minimal to New York State Department of Motor Vehicles for printing of
signs.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
First of September next succeeding the date on which it shall have
become law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
9627
IN ASSEMBLY
March 26, 2024
___________
Introduced by M. of A. HYNDMAN -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to signage for
persons driving under a learner's permit
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subdivision 1 of section 501-b of the vehicle and traffic
2 law, as added by chapter 644 of the laws of 2002, paragraphs (c) and (d)
3 as amended by chapter 403 of the laws of 2009, is amended to read as
4 follows:
5 1. In addition to the restrictions contained in subdivision five of
6 section five hundred one of this article, no holder of a class DJ or
7 class MJ learner's permit shall:
8 (a) operate a motor vehicle with any front seat occupants other than
9 the supervising driver;
10 (b) operate a motor vehicle unless every occupant of such vehicle is
11 properly restrained by a safety belt or child safety seat in accordance
12 with the provisions of subdivision three-a of section twelve hundred
13 twenty-nine-c of this chapter;
14 (c) operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger who is under
15 the age of twenty-one and who is not a member of such holder's immediate
16 family, provided, however, that the provisions of this paragraph shall
17 not apply when such holder is accompanied by a duly licensed parent,
18 guardian, person in a position of loco parentis, driver education teach-
19 er or driving school instructor;
20 (d) be eligible for issuance of a class DJ, MJ, D or M license unless
21 such permit has been valid for at least six months. Any time period in
22 which such class DJ or MJ learner's permit has been suspended or revoked
23 shall not be counted in determining the length of time that such
24 learner's permit has been valid;
25 (e) operate a motor vehicle without a sign, visible to both oncoming
26 and following traffic, indicating that such vehicle is being driven by a
27 new driver. Such sign shall be in such form and distributed in such
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07879-01-3
A. 9627 2
1 manner as provided by the commissioner upon issuance of such learner's
2 permit.
3 § 2. This act shall take effect on the first of September next
4 succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law.
