SB-0501, As Passed House, May 12, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE FOR

 

SENATE BILL NO. 501

 

(as amended May 11, 2016)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled

 

"Michigan vehicle code,"

 

by amending section 302a (MCL 257.302a), as amended by 2006 PA 298.

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 302a. (1) Except as otherwise provided by this act, [and as

 provided in this section,] a

nonresident operator of a motor vehicle who is the holder of a

 

license to operate a motor vehicle in the issued by a country in

 

which he or she resides other than the United States is not

 

required to obtain a license to operate a passenger vehicle within

 

in this state , if he or she does not receive compensation for such

 

operation[.                                                      

 

                                                              

 

        This subsection does not apply unless all of the following

 

conditions have been satisfied:

 

Senate Bill No. 501 as amended May 11, 2016

     (a) The secretary of state determines that the standards of

 

the other country for licensing operators correspond substantially

 

to those of this state and that the other country extends the same

 

privileges to persons licensed to operate vehicles by this state.

 

     (b) The secretary of state and the other country have

 

exchanged letters confirming the reciprocal extension of privileges

 

to operate vehicles. The nonresident operator may operate a motor

 

vehicle in compliance with otherwise applicable state and federal law

 

using the license to operate a motor vehicle issued by a country other

than the United States if the country that issued the nonresident operator's license is a party to an international treaty, convention, or agreement regulating traffic, driving, or the operation of motor vehicles to which the United States or this state is also a party, according to the terms of that treaty, convention, or agreement. If the issuing country is not a party to a treaty, convention, or agreement described in this subsection, the nonresident operator may operate a motor vehicle using the license issued by his or her home country if he or she would otherwise be able to satisfy the requirements of section 307(1) except for any requirement to establish an address in this state or residency.] While

operating a [PASSENGER] vehicle in this state, a nonresident operator who

is the holder of a license to operate a motor vehicle issued by a

country other than the United States shall have in his or her

immediate possession his or her valid license to operate a motor

vehicle issued by that country and, if no English translation

 

appears on the front or back of the license, 1 of the following:

 

     (a) A valid international driving permit.

 

     (b) If the license to operate a motor vehicle is issued by a

 

country that does not permit the issuance of an international

 

driving permit, a document containing a photo and an English

 

translation that substantially corresponds to an international

 

driving permit, which shall be used solely to properly identify the

 

individual appearing on the license for the purpose of enforcing

 

this act.

 

     (2) The secretary of state shall publish on its public

 

internet site a list of the countries for which reciprocal

 

operating privileges have been extended and withdrawn. If any

 

changes are made, a revised list shall be mailed to the courts,

prosecuting attorneys, and law enforcement agencies of this

 

state.establish a unique driver record for an individual upon

 

receipt of an abstract of conviction for any offense committed in

 

violation of this act by that individual who is operating a motor

 

vehicle in this state as provided in subsection (1). The operation

 

of a motor vehicle in this state by an individual who possesses a

 

valid license to operate a motor vehicle issued by a country other

 

than the United States is subject to this act.

 

     (3) An individual for whom a unique driver record has been

 

created under subsection (2) is subject to all fees, fines,

 

restrictions, and enforcement as if he or she were licensed under

 

this act.

 

     (4) Nothing in this section prohibits the secretary of state

 

from entering into a reciprocal agreement and exchanging letters

 

confirming the extension of privileges to operate vehicles with

 

another country.

 

     (5) The secretary of state shall publish on its website a list

 

of the countries with which it has entered into a reciprocal

 

agreement described in subsection (4).