1 Statement of Purpose. The purpose of this act is to improve accessibility and fairness in the motor vehicle operator licensing process by expanding accommodations for applicants with mental or learning disabilities and reducing the administrative waiting period after repeated failed driving tests.

2 New Paragraph; Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities. Amend RSA 263:6 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:

I-a. The director shall provide reasonable accommodations to an applicant for a driver's license who has an active individualized education program (IEP) from a recognized educational institution, or presents other documentation supporting the need for extended time or other testing accommodations due to a diagnosed mental or learning disability. Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to, extended time for written or road tests, or both, alternative test formats such as oral administration or simplified language, or the presence of support personnel, including parents or guardians, as appropriate to the applicant's documented needs. The director shall establish a clear process for applicants to request accommodations and to verify eligibility, including provision for documentation review and notification of decision.

3 New Section; Retest Suspension Reform. Amend RSA 263 by inserting after section 7-a the following new section:

263:7-b Retest Suspension Reform.

I. Any applicant who fails the driving portion of the license examination 3 or more times shall be subject to an administrative suspension of the privilege to retake the driving portion as follows:

(a) The suspension period shall be 3 months;

(b) The applicant may retake the driving test earlier upon successful completion of a certified driver improvement or remedial instruction program approved by the department; and

(c) The department shall notify suspended applicants of these retesting options.

II. No applicant with a documented mental or learning disability who is 21 years of age or older shall be required to complete a driver improvement or remedial instruction program as a condition of retaking the driving test, provided the applicant qualifies for reasonable accommodations under RSA 263:6, I-a.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.

1 Statement of Purpose. The purpose of this act is to improve accessibility and fairness in the motor vehicle operator licensing process by expanding accommodations for applicants with mental or learning disabilities and reducing the administrative waiting period after repeated failed driving tests.

2 New Paragraph; Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities. Amend RSA 263:6 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:

I-a. The director shall provide reasonable accommodations to an applicant for a driver's license who has an active individualized education program (IEP) from a recognized educational institution, or presents other documentation supporting the need for extended time or other testing accommodations due to a diagnosed mental or learning disability. Reasonable accommodations may include, but are not limited to, extended time for written or road tests, or both, alternative test formats such as oral administration or simplified language, or the presence of support personnel, including parents or guardians, as appropriate to the applicant's documented needs. The director shall establish a clear process for applicants to request accommodations and to verify eligibility, including provision for documentation review and notification of decision.

3 New Section; Retest Suspension Reform. Amend RSA 263 by inserting after section 7-a the following new section:

263:7-b Retest Suspension Reform.

I. Any applicant who fails the driving portion of the license examination 3 or more times shall be subject to an administrative suspension of the privilege to retake the driving portion as follows:

(a) The suspension period shall be 3 months;

(b) The applicant may retake the driving test earlier upon successful completion of a certified driver improvement or remedial instruction program approved by the department; and

(c) The department shall notify suspended applicants of these retesting options.

II. No applicant with a documented mental or learning disability who is 21 years of age or older shall be required to complete a driver improvement or remedial instruction program as a condition of retaking the driving test, provided the applicant qualifies for reasonable accommodations under RSA 263:6, I-a.

4 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.