Working Caregiver- Do you know the Senior Driving Laws in Texas?
Senior Driving in Texas
Senior Drivers
How Current Are You on the Driving Laws?
When did you take the written part of the driver's license test? Was it when you were a teenager applying for a learner's permit? If it was before the last legislative session, then you might be out of date. For example, the following laws went into effect on September 1, 2007:
- House Bill 84, known as Katie's Law, requires drivers 85 and older to pass a vision test every two years to have their driver license renewed. Drivers 79 and older cannot renew their licenses by mail, internet, or telephone and must pass a vision test. (Suggestion - You might plan to take Mom or Dad to the Department of Public Safety, just in case they fail to pass the new requirements. AARP.org has an assessment guide to learn the warning signs to know when to limit or stop driving.)
- Senate Bill 153 makes it an offense for the accompanying licensed passenger of a driver with a learner's permit to sleep, be intoxicated or to engage in any activity that prevents the passenger from observing and responding to the actions of the driver of the vehicle. (Suggestion - You might want to check that cell phone call and complete it later.)
- Senate Bill 1315 requires the Department of Public Safety to develop an alert system for missing senior citizens similar to the current Amber Alert Program for abducted children.
Effective September 1, 2003, Senate Bill 193 requires a driver nearing stopped emergency vehicles, whose lights are activated, to either slow down or change lanes. The driver must either (1) vacate the lane closest to the stopped emergency vehicle if the road has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction, or (2) slow down 20 miles per hour below the speed limit. Emergency vehicles include police, emergency medical services, and fire vehicles.
These are but a few of the changes in the past few years. Are you decades behind? The Department of Public Safety has a driver's handbook online at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us. Click on the driver’s license link, and then on the handbook. The Zero Tolerance Policy for Minors is of particular interest and can be located on page 10-3 of the handbook. The Texas Transportation Code can be found at http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/tn.toc.htm. Chapters 545 and 547 contain most of the provisions. Be sure to check out the new Driver Responsibility Program in Chapter 708. It talks about some surcharges you might not be aware of.
The legislature meets every two years in odd numbered years in Texas. Now that you are caught up, why not keep up to date with a check every two years on the newly passed legislation affecting your safe driving habits.
Sandra McElvaney
Real Living, LifeStyles Realty
512-751-6352
