Florida Senate - 2025                      CS for CS for SB 1348
       
       
        
       By the Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and
       Economic Development; the Committee on Transportation; and
       Senator Trumbull
       
       
       
       606-03583-25                                          20251348c2
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to the Department of Highway Safety
    3         and Motor Vehicles; amending s. 316.305, F.S.;
    4         revising penalties for the use of a wireless
    5         communications device while operating a motor vehicle;
    6         authorizing certain persons to participate in a
    7         distracted driving safety program approved by the
    8         department; authorizing the waiver of certain
    9         penalties and associated costs, and requiring the
   10         waiver of the assessment of points, upon completion of
   11         such program; amending s. 316.306, F.S.; authorizing a
   12         person to participate in a distracted driving safety
   13         program, upon completion of which certain penalties
   14         and associated costs may, and the assessment of points
   15         must, be waived for certain offenses; creating s.
   16         316.88, F.S.; prohibiting a person from selling or
   17         offering to sell certain service appointments without
   18         the written authorization of the department or a tax
   19         collector; providing criminal penalties; amending s.
   20         318.1451, F.S.; requiring the department to create a
   21         specified driver improvement course related to
   22         distracted driving which driver improvement schools
   23         shall offer to certain persons; requiring that all
   24         basic driver improvement courses include certain
   25         content relating to distracted driving; amending s.
   26         319.24, F.S.; authorizing tax collectors to deliver by
   27         mail or make available at the tax collector’s office
   28         certificates of title; amending s. 319.29, F.S.;
   29         providing that certain applications may be fulfilled
   30         by the tax collector acting as an authorized agent of
   31         the department; amending s. 320.031, F.S.; authorizing
   32         the department and tax collectors, as agents of the
   33         department, to deliver certain documents, including
   34         duplicate registration certificates, in person or by
   35         mail; amending s. 320.084, F.S.; providing for
   36         disabled veteran motor vehicle license plates in lieu
   37         of “DV” motor vehicle license plates; amending s.
   38         320.0848, F.S.; requiring the department to renew
   39         certain disabled parking permits for a specified
   40         period without requiring certain documentation;
   41         conforming a provision to changes made by the act;
   42         amending s. 322.02, F.S.; revising the year by which
   43         the Legislature intends that the transition of certain
   44         services to certain tax collectors be completed;
   45         deleting a provision authorizing such transition of
   46         services to appointed charter county tax collectors on
   47         a limited basis; providing that the tax collector is,
   48         rather than may be, designated the exclusive agent of
   49         the department for a specified purpose; amending s.
   50         322.12, F.S.; requiring certain driver license
   51         applicants to retake certain examinations; amending s.
   52         322.135, F.S.; authorizing a tax collector to process
   53         certain transactions using the department’s online
   54         license and registration portal; authorizing a tax
   55         collector to offer to a licensee or prospective
   56         licensee a certain donation option; amending s.
   57         322.251, F.S.; authorizing the issuance of a Class E
   58         driver license to certain persons, if eligible;
   59         amending s. 322.271, F.S.; requiring the revocation of
   60         a restricted driving privilege for a specified period
   61         in certain circumstances; amending s. 322.66, F.S.;
   62         conforming a cross-reference; providing an effective
   63         date.
   64          
   65  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   66  
   67         Section 1. Subsection (4) of section 316.305, Florida
   68  Statutes, is amended to read:
   69         316.305 Wireless communications devices; prohibition.—
   70         (4)(a) A Any person who violates paragraph (3)(a) commits a
   71  noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving nonmoving
   72  violation as provided in chapter 318, and shall have 3 points
   73  assessed against his or her driver license as set forth in s.
   74  322.27(3)(d)8.
   75         (b) A Any person who commits a second or subsequent
   76  violation of paragraph (3)(a) within 5 years after the date of a
   77  prior conviction for a violation of paragraph (3)(a) commits a
   78  noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation
   79  as provided in chapter 318, and shall have 4 points assessed
   80  against his or her driver license for the purposes of s. 322.27.
   81         (c) In lieu of the penalty specified in s. 318.18 and the
   82  assessment of points, a person who violates paragraph (3)(a) may
   83  elect to participate in a distracted driving safety program
   84  approved by the department. Upon the person’s completion of such
   85  program, the penalty specified in s. 318.18 and associated costs
   86  may be waived by the clerk of the court and the assessment of
   87  points must be waived.
   88         Section 2. Subsection (4) of section 316.306, Florida
   89  Statutes, is amended to read:
   90         316.306 School and work zones; prohibition on the use of a
   91  wireless communications device in a handheld manner.—
   92         (4)(a) A Any person who violates this section commits a
   93  noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving
   94  violation, as provided in chapter 318, and shall have 3 points
   95  assessed against his or her driver license as set forth in s.
   96  322.27(3)(d)8. For a first offense under this section, In lieu
   97  of the penalty specified in s. 318.18 and the assessment of
   98  points, a person who violates this section may elect to
   99  participate in a distracted wireless communications device
  100  driving safety program approved by the Department of Highway
  101  Safety and Motor Vehicles. Upon the person’s completion of such
  102  program, the penalty specified in s. 318.18 and associated costs
  103  may be waived by the clerk of the court and the assessment of
  104  points must be waived.
  105         (b) The clerk of the court may dismiss a case and assess
  106  court costs in accordance with s. 318.18(12)(a) for a nonmoving
  107  traffic infraction for a person who is cited for a first time
  108  violation of this section if the person shows the clerk proof of
  109  purchase of equipment that enables his or her personal wireless
  110  communications device to be used in a hands-free manner.
  111         Section 3. Section 316.88, Florida Statutes, is created to
  112  read:
  113         316.88 Sale of appointments prohibited.—Unless authorized
  114  in writing by the department or a tax collector acting as an
  115  authorized agent of the department, a person may not sell or
  116  offer to sell a service appointment with a department office or
  117  with the office of a tax collector acting as an authorized agent
  118  of the department, respectively, for any service authorized by
  119  chapter 319, chapter 320, chapter 322, or chapter 328. A person
  120  who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the first
  121  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
  122         Section 4. Subsection (1) and paragraph (d) of subsection
  123  (6) of section 318.1451, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  124         318.1451 Driver improvement schools.—
  125         (1)(a) The department shall approve and regulate the
  126  courses of all driver improvement schools, as the courses relate
  127  to ss. 318.14(9), 322.0261, and 322.291, including courses that
  128  use technology as a delivery method.
  129         (b) The department shall create a 4-hour basic driver
  130  improvement course specifically related to distracted driving
  131  which must include, but need not be limited to, testimonials
  132  from people whose lives have been affected by death or injury
  133  caused by distracted driving and which driver improvement
  134  schools shall offer to persons electing to participate in a
  135  distracted driving safety program pursuant to s. 316.305(4)(c)
  136  or s. 316.306(4)(a).
  137         (6) The department shall adopt rules establishing and
  138  maintaining policies and procedures to implement the
  139  requirements of this section. These policies and procedures may
  140  include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
  141         (d) Course content.—The department shall set and modify
  142  course content requirements to keep current with laws and safety
  143  information. The department shall annually review changes made
  144  to major traffic laws of this state, including s. 316.126(1)(b),
  145  and shall require course content for courses referenced in this
  146  section to be modified in accordance with changes relevant to
  147  the courses. Course content includes all items used in the
  148  conduct of the course. All basic driver improvement courses must
  149  include at least 1 hour dedicated to distracted driving which
  150  must include, but need not be limited to, testimonials from
  151  people whose lives have been affected by death or injury caused
  152  by distracted driving.
  153         Section 5. Subsection (2) of section 319.24, Florida
  154  Statutes, is amended to read:
  155         319.24 Issuance in duplicate; delivery; liens and
  156  encumbrances.—
  157         (2) A duly authorized person shall sign the original
  158  certificate of title and each corrected certificate and, if
  159  there are no liens or encumbrances on the motor vehicle or
  160  mobile home, as shown in the records of the department or as
  161  shown in the application, must shall deliver the certificate to
  162  the applicant or to another person as directed by the applicant
  163  or person, agent, or attorney submitting such application. Tax
  164  collectors, as authorized agents of the department, may deliver
  165  original certificates of title and corrected certificates by
  166  mail or make such certificates available to applicants at tax
  167  collectors’ offices. The motor vehicle dealer license number
  168  must be submitted to the department when a dealer applies for or
  169  receives a duplicate title. The current odometer reading must be
  170  submitted on an application for a duplicate title. If there are
  171  one or more liens or encumbrances on the motor vehicle or mobile
  172  home, the certificate must shall be delivered by the department
  173  to the first lienholder as shown by department records or to the
  174  owner as indicated in the notice of lien filed by the first
  175  lienholder pursuant to s. 319.27. If the notice of lien filed by
  176  the first lienholder indicates that the certificate should be
  177  delivered to the first lienholder, the department must shall
  178  deliver to the first lienholder, along with the certificate, a
  179  form to be subsequently used by the lienholder as a
  180  satisfaction. If the notice of lien filed by the first
  181  lienholder directs the certificate of title to be delivered to
  182  the owner, then, upon delivery of the certificate of title by
  183  the department to the owner, the department must shall deliver
  184  to the first lienholder confirmation of the receipt of the
  185  notice of lien and the date the certificate of title was issued
  186  to the owner at the owner’s address shown on the notice of lien
  187  and a form to be subsequently used by the lienholder as a
  188  satisfaction. If the application for certificate shows the name
  189  of a first lienholder different from the name of the first
  190  lienholder as shown by the records of the department or if the
  191  application does not show the name of a judgment lienholder as
  192  shown by the records of the department, the certificate may
  193  shall not be issued to any person until after all parties who
  194  appear to hold a lien and the applicant for the certificate have
  195  been notified of the conflict in writing by the department by
  196  certified mail. If the parties do not amicably resolve the
  197  conflict within 10 days from the date such notice was mailed,
  198  then the department must shall serve notice in writing by
  199  certified mail on all persons appearing to hold liens on that
  200  particular vehicle, including the applicant for the certificate,
  201  to show cause within 15 days from the date the notice is mailed
  202  why it should not issue and deliver the certificate to the
  203  person indicated in the notice of lien filed by the lienholder
  204  whose name appears in the application as the first lienholder
  205  without showing any lien or liens as outstanding other than
  206  those appearing in the application or those which may have been
  207  filed subsequent to the filing of the application for the
  208  certificate. If, within the 15-day period, any person other than
  209  the lienholder shown in the application or a party filing a
  210  subsequent lien, in answer to such notice to show cause, appears
  211  in person or by a representative, or responds in writing, and
  212  files a written statement under oath that his or her lien on
  213  that particular vehicle is still outstanding, the department may
  214  shall not issue the certificate to anyone until after such
  215  conflict has been settled by the lien claimants involved or by a
  216  court of competent jurisdiction. If the conflict is not settled
  217  amicably within 10 days of the final date for filing an answer
  218  to the notice to show cause, the complaining party must shall
  219  have 10 days to obtain a ruling, or a stay order, from a court
  220  of competent jurisdiction; if no ruling or stay order is issued
  221  and served on the department within the 10-day period, it must
  222  shall issue the certificate showing no liens except those shown
  223  in the application or thereafter filed to the original applicant
  224  if there are no liens shown in the application and none are
  225  thereafter filed, or to the person indicated in the notice of
  226  lien filed by the lienholder whose name appears in the
  227  application as the first lienholder if there are liens shown in
  228  the application or thereafter filed. A duplicate certificate or
  229  corrected certificate may shall only show such lien or liens as
  230  were shown in the application and subsequently filed liens that
  231  may be outstanding.
  232         Section 6. Present subsection (4) of section 319.29,
  233  Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (5), and a new
  234  subsection (4) is added to that section, to read:
  235         319.29 Lost or destroyed certificates.—
  236         (4) An application for a duplicate copy of a certificate of
  237  title may be fulfilled by the tax collector acting as an
  238  authorized agent of the department. Upon the applicant’s
  239  request, the duplicate copy may be issued by the tax collector
  240  and provided to the applicant at the tax collector’s office or
  241  mailed by the tax collector to the applicants address.
  242         Section 7. Subsection (1) of section 320.031, Florida
  243  Statutes, is amended to read:
  244         320.031 Mailing or delivery of registration certificates,
  245  license plates, and validation stickers.—
  246         (1) The department and the tax collectors of the several
  247  counties of the state, as agents of the department, may at the
  248  request of the applicant deliver in person or use United States
  249  mail service to deliver registration certificates and renewals
  250  thereof, duplicate registration certificates, license plates,
  251  mobile home stickers, and validation stickers to applicants.
  252         Section 8. Subsections (1) and (3), paragraphs (a) and (c)
  253  of subsection (4), and subsection (6) of section 320.084,
  254  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  255         320.084 Free motor vehicle license plate to certain
  256  disabled veterans.—
  257         (1) One free disabled veteran “DV” motor vehicle license
  258  number plate shall be issued by the department for use on any
  259  motor vehicle owned or leased by any disabled veteran who has
  260  been a resident of this state continuously for the preceding 5
  261  years or has established a domicile in this state as provided by
  262  s. 222.17(1), (2), or (3), and who has been honorably discharged
  263  from the United States Armed Forces, upon application,
  264  accompanied by proof that:
  265         (a) A vehicle was initially acquired through financial
  266  assistance by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  267  or its predecessor specifically for the purchase of an
  268  automobile;
  269         (b) The applicant has been determined by the United States
  270  Department of Veterans Affairs or its predecessor to have a
  271  service-connected 100-percent disability rating for
  272  compensation; or
  273         (c) The applicant has been determined to have a service
  274  connected disability rating of 100 percent and is in receipt of
  275  disability retirement pay from any branch of the United States
  276  Armed Services.
  277         (3) The department shall, as it deems necessary, require
  278  each person to whom a motor vehicle license plate has been
  279  issued pursuant to subsection (1) to apply to the department for
  280  reissuance of his or her registration license plate. Upon
  281  receipt of the application and proof of the applicant’s
  282  continued eligibility, the department shall issue a new
  283  permanent disabled veteran “DV” numerical motor vehicle license
  284  plate which shall be of the colors red, white, and blue similar
  285  to the colors of the United States flag. The operation of a
  286  motor vehicle displaying a disabled veteran “DV” license plate
  287  from a previous issue period or a noncurrent validation sticker
  288  after the date specified by the department shall subject the
  289  owner if he or she is present, otherwise the operator, to the
  290  penalty provided in s. 318.18(2). Such permanent license plate
  291  shall be removed upon sale of the vehicle, but may be
  292  transferred to another vehicle owned by such veteran in the
  293  manner prescribed by law. The license number of each plate
  294  issued under this section shall be identified by the letter
  295  designation “DV.” Upon request of any such veteran, the
  296  department is authorized to issue a designation plate containing
  297  only the letters “DV,” to be displayed on the front of the
  298  vehicle.
  299         (4)(a) With the issuance of each new permanent disabled
  300  veteran “DV” numerical motor vehicle license plate, the
  301  department shall initially issue, without cost to the applicant,
  302  a validation sticker reflecting the owner’s birth month and a
  303  serially numbered validation sticker reflecting the year of
  304  expiration. The initial sticker reflecting the year of
  305  expiration may not exceed 27 months.
  306         (c) Registration under this section shall be renewed
  307  annually or biennially during the applicable renewal period on
  308  forms prescribed by the department, which shall include, in
  309  addition to any other information required by the department, a
  310  certified statement as to the continued eligibility of the
  311  applicant to receive the disabled veteran special “DV” license
  312  plate. Any applicant who falsely or fraudulently submits to the
  313  department the certified statement required by this paragraph is
  314  guilty of a noncriminal violation and is subject to a civil
  315  penalty of $50.
  316         (6)(a) A disabled veteran who meets the requirements of
  317  subsection (1) may be issued, in lieu of the disabled veteran
  318  “DV” license plate, a military license plate for which he or she
  319  is eligible or a specialty license plate embossed with the
  320  initials “DV” in the top left-hand corner. A disabled veteran
  321  electing a military license plate or specialty license plate
  322  under this subsection must pay all applicable fees related to
  323  such license plate, except for fees otherwise waived under
  324  subsections (1) and (4).
  325         (b) A military license plate or specialty license plate
  326  elected under this subsection:
  327         1. Does not provide the protections or rights afforded by
  328  ss. 316.1955, 316.1964, 320.0848, 526.141, and 553.5041.
  329         2. is not eligible for the international symbol of
  330  accessibility as described in s. 320.0842.
  331         Section 9. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) and paragraph
  332  (e) of subsection (2) of section 320.0848, Florida Statutes, are
  333  amended to read:
  334         320.0848 Persons who have disabilities; issuance of
  335  disabled parking permits; temporary permits; permits for certain
  336  providers of transportation services to persons who have
  337  disabilities.—
  338         (1)
  339         (d) The department shall renew the disabled parking permit
  340  of a any person certified as permanently disabled on the
  341  previous application for a subsequent 4-year period without
  342  requiring the person to provide another certificate of
  343  disability or United States Department of Veterans Affairs Form
  344  Letter 27-333, or its equivalent, as applicable. After such 4
  345  year period, the department shall renew the disabled parking
  346  permit if the person provides a certificate of disability issued
  347  within the last 12 months pursuant to this subsection. A veteran
  348  who has been previously evaluated and certified by the United
  349  States Department of Veterans Affairs or any branch of the
  350  United States Armed Forces as permanently and totally disabled
  351  from a service-connected disability may provide a United States
  352  Department of Veterans Affairs Form Letter 27-333, or its
  353  equivalent, issued within the last 12 months in lieu of a
  354  certificate of disability.
  355         (2) DISABLED PARKING PERMIT; PERSONS WITH LONG-TERM
  356  MOBILITY PROBLEMS.—
  357         (e) A person who qualifies for a disabled parking permit
  358  under this section may be issued an international wheelchair
  359  user symbol license plate under s. 320.0843 in lieu of the
  360  disabled parking permit; or, if the person qualifies for a
  361  disabled veteran “DV” license plate under s. 320.084, such a
  362  license plate may be issued to him or her in lieu of a disabled
  363  parking permit.
  364         Section 10. Subsections (1) and (5) of section 322.02,
  365  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  366         322.02 Legislative intent; administration.—
  367         (1) The Legislature finds that over the past several years
  368  the department and individual county tax collectors have entered
  369  into contracts for the delivery of full and limited driver
  370  license services where such contractual relationships best
  371  served the public interest through state administration and
  372  enforcement and local government implementation. It is the
  373  intent of the Legislature that the complete transition of all
  374  driver license issuance services to tax collectors who are
  375  constitutional officers under s. 1(d), Art. VIII of the State
  376  Constitution be completed no later than June 30, 2027 2015. The
  377  transition of services to appointed charter county tax
  378  collectors may occur on a limited basis as directed by the
  379  department.
  380         (5) The tax collector in and for his or her county is may
  381  be designated the exclusive agent of the department to implement
  382  and administer the provisions of this chapter as provided by s.
  383  322.135.
  384         Section 11. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 322.12,
  385  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  386         322.12 Examination of applicants.—
  387         (3)(a) For an applicant for a Class E driver license, such
  388  examination must shall include all of the following:
  389         1.(a) A test of the applicant’s eyesight given by the
  390  driver license examiner designated by the department or by a
  391  licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician.
  392         2.(b) A test of the applicant’s hearing given by a driver
  393  license examiner or a licensed physician.
  394         3.(c) A test of the applicant’s ability to read and
  395  understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing
  396  traffic; his or her knowledge of the traffic laws of this state,
  397  including laws regulating driving under the influence of alcohol
  398  or controlled substances, driving with an unlawful blood-alcohol
  399  level, and driving while intoxicated; and his or her knowledge
  400  of the effects of alcohol and controlled substances upon persons
  401  and the dangers of driving a motor vehicle while under the
  402  influence of alcohol or controlled substances. At least 25
  403  questions within the bank of test questions must address bicycle
  404  and pedestrian safety.
  405         4.(d) An actual demonstration of ability to exercise
  406  ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor
  407  vehicle.
  408         (b) An applicant who is found to have cheated during, or to
  409  have otherwise circumvented, any portion of the examination must
  410  retake the examination.
  411         (4)(a) The examination for an applicant for a commercial
  412  driver license must shall include all of the following:
  413         1. A test of the applicant’s eyesight given by a driver
  414  license examiner designated by the department or by a licensed
  415  ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician. and
  416         2. A test of the applicant’s hearing given by a driver
  417  license examiner or a licensed physician.
  418         3.The examination shall also include A test of the
  419  applicant’s ability to read and understand highway signs
  420  regulating, warning, and directing traffic; his or her knowledge
  421  of the traffic laws of this state pertaining to the class of
  422  motor vehicle which he or she is applying to be licensed to
  423  operate, including laws regulating driving under the influence
  424  of alcohol or controlled substances, driving with an unlawful
  425  blood-alcohol level, and driving while intoxicated; his or her
  426  knowledge of the effects of alcohol and controlled substances
  427  and the dangers of driving a motor vehicle after having consumed
  428  alcohol or controlled substances; and his or her knowledge of
  429  any special skills, requirements, or precautions necessary for
  430  the safe operation of the class of vehicle which he or she is
  431  applying to be licensed to operate.
  432         4.In addition, the examination shall include An actual
  433  demonstration of the applicant’s ability to exercise ordinary
  434  and reasonable control in the safe operation of a motor vehicle
  435  or combination of vehicles of the type covered by the license
  436  classification which the applicant is seeking, including an
  437  examination of the applicant’s ability to perform an inspection
  438  of his or her vehicle.
  439         (b)(a) The portion of the examination required under
  440  subparagraph (a)4. which tests an applicant’s safe driving
  441  ability shall be administered by the department or by an entity
  442  authorized by the department to administer such examination,
  443  pursuant to s. 322.56. Such examination shall be administered at
  444  a location approved by the department.
  445         (c)(b) A person who seeks to retain a hazardous-materials
  446  endorsement must, upon renewal, pass the test for such
  447  endorsement as specified in s. 322.57(1)(e), if the person has
  448  not taken and passed the hazardous-materials test within 2 years
  449  preceding his or her application for a commercial driver license
  450  in this state.
  451         (d)An applicant who is found to have cheated during, or to
  452  have otherwise circumvented, any portion of the examination must
  453  retake the examination.
  454         Section 12. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
  455  322.135, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (d) is
  456  added to that subsection, to read:
  457         322.135 Driver license agents.—
  458         (1) The department shall, upon application, authorize by
  459  interagency agreement any or all of the tax collectors who are
  460  constitutional officers under s. 1(d), Art. VIII of the State
  461  Constitution in the several counties of the state, subject to
  462  the requirements of law, in accordance with rules of the
  463  department, to serve as its agent for the provision of specified
  464  driver license services.
  465         (a) These services shall be limited to the issuance of
  466  driver licenses and identification cards as authorized by this
  467  chapter, transactions for which may be processed by the tax
  468  collector using the department’s online license and registration
  469  portal.
  470         (d) A tax collector may offer a licensee or prospective
  471  licensee the option to increase the amount of his or her
  472  transaction to the next whole dollar amount in order to donate
  473  the amount of the increase to a charity registered with the
  474  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
  475         Section 13. Subsection (4) of section 322.251, Florida
  476  Statutes, is amended to read:
  477         322.251 Notice of cancellation, suspension, revocation, or
  478  disqualification of license.—
  479         (4) A person whose privilege to operate a commercial motor
  480  vehicle is temporarily disqualified may, upon surrendering his
  481  or her commercial driver license, be issued a Class E driver
  482  license, valid for the length of his or her unexpired commercial
  483  driver license, if eligible, at no cost. Such person may, upon
  484  the completion of his or her disqualification, be issued a
  485  commercial driver license, of the type disqualified, for the
  486  remainder of his or her unexpired license period. Any such
  487  person must shall pay the reinstatement fee provided in s.
  488  322.21 before being issued a commercial driver license.
  489         Section 14. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  490  322.271, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  491         322.271 Authority to modify revocation, cancellation, or
  492  suspension order.—
  493         (1)
  494         (b) A person whose driving privilege has been revoked under
  495  s. 322.27(5) may, upon expiration of 12 months from the date of
  496  such revocation, petition the department for reinstatement of
  497  his or her driving privilege. Upon such petition and after
  498  investigation of the person’s qualification, fitness, and need
  499  to drive, the department shall hold a hearing pursuant to
  500  chapter 120 to determine whether the driving privilege shall be
  501  reinstated on a restricted basis solely for business or
  502  employment purposes. If such person is granted a limited driving
  503  privilege and subsequently violates the conditions of the
  504  restricted driving privilege, the restricted driving privilege
  505  must be revoked and the person is not eligible for any driving
  506  privilege for the remaining duration of the 5-year period after
  507  his or her initial license revocation.
  508         Section 15. Section 322.66, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  509  read:
  510         322.66 Vehicles permitted to be driven during driving
  511  skills tests.—A person who does not possess a valid driver
  512  license may drive a noncommercial or commercial motor vehicle
  513  during a driving skills test conducted in accordance with s.
  514  322.12(3) and (4)(b) s. 322.12(3) and (4)(a), if the person has
  515  passed the vision, hearing, road rules, and road signs tests
  516  ordinarily administered to applicants for a Class E license,
  517  and, if required, has passed the commercial driver license
  518  knowledge and appropriate endorsement tests.
  519         Section 16. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.