The Florida Senate

322.121  Periodic reexamination of all drivers.--

(1)  It is the intent of the Legislature that all licensed drivers in Florida be reexamined upon renewal of their licenses. Because only a small percentage of drivers in the state are categorized as problem drivers, the Legislature intends that the large number of drivers who have not had any convictions for the 3 years preceding renewal and whose driving privilege in this state has not been revoked, disqualified, or suspended at any time during the 7 years preceding renewal be processed expeditiously upon renewal of their licenses by examinations of their eyesight and hearing only and that all other licensees be tested, in addition to the eyesight and hearing examinations, with respect to their ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic.

(2)  Each licensee must pass a reexamination at the time of renewal, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. For each licensee whose driving record does not show any convictions for the preceding 3 years or any revocations, disqualifications, or suspensions for the preceding 7 years; and who, at the time of renewal, presents a renewal notice verifying such safe driving record, the reexamination shall consist of tests of the licensee's eyesight and hearing. For all other licensees, in addition to the eyesight and hearing tests, the reexamination must include tests of the ability to read and understand highway signs and pavement markings regulating, warning, and directing traffic.

(3)  For each licensee whose driving record does not show any revocations, disqualifications, or suspensions for the preceding 7 years or any convictions for the preceding 3 years except for convictions of the following nonmoving violations:

(a)  Failure to exhibit a vehicle registration certificate, rental agreement, or cab card pursuant to ¹s. 320.0605(1);

(b)  Failure to renew a motor vehicle or mobile home registration that has been expired for 4 months or less pursuant to s. 320.07(3)(a);

(c)  Operating a motor vehicle with an expired license that has been expired for 4 months or less pursuant to s. 322.065;

(d)  Failure to carry or exhibit a license pursuant to s. 322.15(1); or

(e)  Failure to notify the department of a change of address or name within 10 days pursuant to s. 322.19,

the department shall cause such licensee's license to be prominently marked with the notation "Safe Driver."

(4)  Eyesight examinations must be administered as provided in s. 322.12.

(5)  An examination fee may not be assessed for reexamination required by this section.

(6)  Members of the Armed Forces, or their dependents residing with them, shall be granted an automatic extension for the expiration of their licenses without reexamination while serving on active duty outside this state. This extension is valid for 90 days after the member of the Armed Forces is either discharged or returns to this state to live.

(7)  In addition to any other examination authorized by this section, an applicant for a renewal of a commercial driver's license may be required to complete successfully an examination of his or her knowledge regarding state and federal rules, regulations, and laws, governing the type of vehicle which he or she is applying to be licensed to operate.

(8)  In addition to any other examination authorized by this section, an applicant for a renewal of an endorsement issued under s. 322.57(1)(a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) may be required to complete successfully an examination of his or her knowledge regarding state and federal rules, regulations, and laws, governing the type of vehicle which he or she is seeking an endorsement to operate.

History.--s. 1, ch. 67-464; ss. 2, 3, ch. 67-371; ss. 24, 31, 35, ch. 69-106; s. 1, ch. 75-228; s. 12, ch. 78-394; ss. 3, 4, ch. 80-308; s. 3, ch. 85-98; s. 2, ch. 85-181; s. 11, ch. 89-282; ss. 1, 2, ch. 90-19; s. 8, ch. 91-243; s. 76, ch. 94-306; s. 931, ch. 95-148; s. 5, ch. 95-326; s. 37, ch. 97-300.

¹Note.--Subsequent to the repeal of s. 320.0605(2) by s. 50, ch. 96-350, that section is no longer divided into subsections.