sb273_As_introduced_LC_34_0293_2.html
05 LC 34 0293
Senate Bill 273
By: Senators Goggans of the 7th, Seabaugh of the 28th, Williams of the 19th, Staton of the 18th, Whitehead, Sr. of the 24th and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance, expiration, and renewal of driver´s licenses, so as to change the definition of a Class C license for commercial and noncommercial driver´s licenses; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective date and for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance, expiration, and renewal of driver´s licenses, is amended by striking subsection (c) of Code Section 40_5_23, relating to classes of noncommercial licenses, and inserting in its place the following:
"(c) The noncommercial classes of motor vehicles for which operators may be licensed shall be as follows:
Class A — Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle or vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds, and all vehicles included within Class B and Class C;
Class B — Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 10,000 pounds, and all vehicles included within Class C;
Class C — Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 26,000 pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 10,000 pounds, any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 10,000 pounds, provided that the combination of vehicles has a gross combined vehicle weight rating not in excess of 26,000 pounds, and any self_propelled or towed vehicle that is equipped to serve as temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel purposes and is used solely as a family or personal conveyance;
Class D — Provisional license applicable to noncommercial Class C vehicles for which an applicant desires a driver´s license but is not presently licensed to drive;
Class M — Motorcycles, motor driven cycles, and three_wheeled motorcycles;
Class P — Instructional permit applicable to all types of vehicles for which an applicant desires a driver´s license but is not presently licensed to drive.
Any applicant for a Class A or Class B license must possess a valid Georgia driver´s license for Class C vehicles. A license issued pursuant to this Code section shall not be a commercial driver´s license."

SECTION 2.
Article 7 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to commercial driver´s licenses, is amended by striking paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of Code Section 40_5_150, relating to contents and classifications of commercial driver´s licenses, and inserting in its place the following:
"(3) Class C — Any single vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 26,001 pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating not in excess of 10,000 pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating in excess of 10,000 pounds, provided that the combination of vehicles has a gross combined vehicle weight rating less than 26,001 pounds. This classification shall apply to vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, and vehicles used in the transportation of hazardous materials which require the vehicles to be placarded under 49 C.F.R. Part 172, subpart F;".

SECTION 3.
This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2005, and will apply to offenses occurring on or after that date.

SECTION 4.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.