Florida Senate - 2025               CS for CS for CS for SB 1348
       
       
        
       By the Committee on Appropriations; the Appropriations Committee
       on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; the
       Committee on Transportation; and Senator Trumbull
       
       
       
       576-03845-25                                          20251348c3
    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; requiring that
   38         requests for certain specialty license plates be
   39         processed in a certain manner; amending s. 320.0848,
   40         F.S.; requiring the department to renew certain
   41         disabled parking permits for a specified period
   42         without requiring certain documentation; conforming a
   43         provision to changes made by the act; amending s.
   44         322.02, F.S.; revising the year by which the
   45         Legislature intends that the transition of certain
   46         services to certain tax collectors be completed;
   47         deleting a provision authorizing such transition of
   48         services to appointed charter county tax collectors on
   49         a limited basis; providing that the tax collector is,
   50         rather than may be, designated the exclusive agent of
   51         the department for a specified purpose; amending s.
   52         322.12, F.S.; requiring certain driver license
   53         applicants to retake certain examinations; amending s.
   54         322.135, F.S.; authorizing a tax collector to process
   55         certain transactions using the department’s online
   56         license and registration portal; authorizing a tax
   57         collector to offer to a licensee or prospective
   58         licensee a certain donation option; amending s.
   59         322.251, F.S.; authorizing the issuance of a Class E
   60         driver license to certain persons, if eligible;
   61         amending s. 322.271, F.S.; requiring the revocation of
   62         a restricted driving privilege for a specified period
   63         in certain circumstances; amending s. 322.66, F.S.;
   64         conforming a cross-reference; providing an effective
   65         date.
   66          
   67  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   68  
   69         Section 1. Subsection (4) of section 316.305, Florida
   70  Statutes, is amended to read:
   71         316.305 Wireless communications devices; prohibition.—
   72         (4)(a) A Any person who violates paragraph (3)(a) commits a
   73  noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving nonmoving
   74  violation as provided in chapter 318, and shall have 3 points
   75  assessed against his or her driver license as set forth in s.
   76  322.27(3)(d)8.
   77         (b) A Any person who commits a second or subsequent
   78  violation of paragraph (3)(a) within 5 years after the date of a
   79  prior conviction for a violation of paragraph (3)(a) commits a
   80  noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation
   81  as provided in chapter 318, and shall have 4 points assessed
   82  against his or her driver license for the purposes of s. 322.27.
   83         (c) In lieu of the penalty specified in s. 318.18 and the
   84  assessment of points, a person who violates paragraph (3)(a) may
   85  elect to participate in a distracted driving safety program
   86  approved by the department. Upon the person’s completion of such
   87  program, the penalty specified in s. 318.18 and associated costs
   88  may be waived by the clerk of the court and the assessment of
   89  points must be waived.
   90         Section 2. Subsection (4) of section 316.306, Florida
   91  Statutes, is amended to read:
   92         316.306 School and work zones; prohibition on the use of a
   93  wireless communications device in a handheld manner.—
   94         (4)(a) A Any person who violates this section commits a
   95  noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving
   96  violation, as provided in chapter 318, and shall have 3 points
   97  assessed against his or her driver license as set forth in s.
   98  322.27(3)(d)8. For a first offense under this section, In lieu
   99  of the penalty specified in s. 318.18 and the assessment of
  100  points, a person who violates this section may elect to
  101  participate in a distracted wireless communications device
  102  driving safety program approved by the Department of Highway
  103  Safety and Motor Vehicles. Upon the person’s completion of such
  104  program, the penalty specified in s. 318.18 and associated costs
  105  may be waived by the clerk of the court and the assessment of
  106  points must be waived.
  107         (b) The clerk of the court may dismiss a case and assess
  108  court costs in accordance with s. 318.18(12)(a) for a nonmoving
  109  traffic infraction for a person who is cited for a first time
  110  violation of this section if the person shows the clerk proof of
  111  purchase of equipment that enables his or her personal wireless
  112  communications device to be used in a hands-free manner.
  113         Section 3. Section 316.88, Florida Statutes, is created to
  114  read:
  115         316.88 Sale of appointments prohibited.—Unless authorized
  116  in writing by the department or a tax collector acting as an
  117  authorized agent of the department, a person may not sell or
  118  offer to sell a service appointment with a department office or
  119  with the office of a tax collector acting as an authorized agent
  120  of the department, respectively, for any service authorized by
  121  chapter 319, chapter 320, chapter 322, or chapter 328. A person
  122  who violates this section commits a misdemeanor of the first
  123  degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
  124         Section 4. Subsection (1) and paragraph (d) of subsection
  125  (6) of section 318.1451, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  126         318.1451 Driver improvement schools.—
  127         (1)(a) The department shall approve and regulate the
  128  courses of all driver improvement schools, as the courses relate
  129  to ss. 318.14(9), 322.0261, and 322.291, including courses that
  130  use technology as a delivery method.
  131         (b) The department shall create a 4-hour basic driver
  132  improvement course specifically related to distracted driving
  133  which must include, but need not be limited to, testimonials
  134  from people whose lives have been affected by death or injury
  135  caused by distracted driving and which driver improvement
  136  schools shall offer to persons electing to participate in a
  137  distracted driving safety program pursuant to s. 316.305(4)(c)
  138  or s. 316.306(4)(a).
  139         (6) The department shall adopt rules establishing and
  140  maintaining policies and procedures to implement the
  141  requirements of this section. These policies and procedures may
  142  include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
  143         (d) Course content.—The department shall set and modify
  144  course content requirements to keep current with laws and safety
  145  information. The department shall annually review changes made
  146  to major traffic laws of this state, including s. 316.126(1)(b),
  147  and shall require course content for courses referenced in this
  148  section to be modified in accordance with changes relevant to
  149  the courses. Course content includes all items used in the
  150  conduct of the course. All basic driver improvement courses must
  151  include at least 1 hour dedicated to distracted driving which
  152  must include, but need not be limited to, testimonials from
  153  people whose lives have been affected by death or injury caused
  154  by distracted driving.
  155         Section 5. Subsection (2) of section 319.24, Florida
  156  Statutes, is amended to read:
  157         319.24 Issuance in duplicate; delivery; liens and
  158  encumbrances.—
  159         (2) A duly authorized person shall sign the original
  160  certificate of title and each corrected certificate and, if
  161  there are no liens or encumbrances on the motor vehicle or
  162  mobile home, as shown in the records of the department or as
  163  shown in the application, must shall deliver the certificate to
  164  the applicant or to another person as directed by the applicant
  165  or person, agent, or attorney submitting such application. Tax
  166  collectors, as authorized agents of the department, may deliver
  167  original certificates of title and corrected certificates by
  168  mail or make such certificates available to applicants at tax
  169  collectors’ offices. The motor vehicle dealer license number
  170  must be submitted to the department when a dealer applies for or
  171  receives a duplicate title. The current odometer reading must be
  172  submitted on an application for a duplicate title. If there are
  173  one or more liens or encumbrances on the motor vehicle or mobile
  174  home, the certificate must shall be delivered by the department
  175  to the first lienholder as shown by department records or to the
  176  owner as indicated in the notice of lien filed by the first
  177  lienholder pursuant to s. 319.27. If the notice of lien filed by
  178  the first lienholder indicates that the certificate should be
  179  delivered to the first lienholder, the department must shall
  180  deliver to the first lienholder, along with the certificate, a
  181  form to be subsequently used by the lienholder as a
  182  satisfaction. If the notice of lien filed by the first
  183  lienholder directs the certificate of title to be delivered to
  184  the owner, then, upon delivery of the certificate of title by
  185  the department to the owner, the department must shall deliver
  186  to the first lienholder confirmation of the receipt of the
  187  notice of lien and the date the certificate of title was issued
  188  to the owner at the owner’s address shown on the notice of lien
  189  and a form to be subsequently used by the lienholder as a
  190  satisfaction. If the application for certificate shows the name
  191  of a first lienholder different from the name of the first
  192  lienholder as shown by the records of the department or if the
  193  application does not show the name of a judgment lienholder as
  194  shown by the records of the department, the certificate may
  195  shall not be issued to any person until after all parties who
  196  appear to hold a lien and the applicant for the certificate have
  197  been notified of the conflict in writing by the department by
  198  certified mail. If the parties do not amicably resolve the
  199  conflict within 10 days from the date such notice was mailed,
  200  then the department must shall serve notice in writing by
  201  certified mail on all persons appearing to hold liens on that
  202  particular vehicle, including the applicant for the certificate,
  203  to show cause within 15 days from the date the notice is mailed
  204  why it should not issue and deliver the certificate to the
  205  person indicated in the notice of lien filed by the lienholder
  206  whose name appears in the application as the first lienholder
  207  without showing any lien or liens as outstanding other than
  208  those appearing in the application or those which may have been
  209  filed subsequent to the filing of the application for the
  210  certificate. If, within the 15-day period, any person other than
  211  the lienholder shown in the application or a party filing a
  212  subsequent lien, in answer to such notice to show cause, appears
  213  in person or by a representative, or responds in writing, and
  214  files a written statement under oath that his or her lien on
  215  that particular vehicle is still outstanding, the department may
  216  shall not issue the certificate to anyone until after such
  217  conflict has been settled by the lien claimants involved or by a
  218  court of competent jurisdiction. If the conflict is not settled
  219  amicably within 10 days of the final date for filing an answer
  220  to the notice to show cause, the complaining party must shall
  221  have 10 days to obtain a ruling, or a stay order, from a court
  222  of competent jurisdiction; if no ruling or stay order is issued
  223  and served on the department within the 10-day period, it must
  224  shall issue the certificate showing no liens except those shown
  225  in the application or thereafter filed to the original applicant
  226  if there are no liens shown in the application and none are
  227  thereafter filed, or to the person indicated in the notice of
  228  lien filed by the lienholder whose name appears in the
  229  application as the first lienholder if there are liens shown in
  230  the application or thereafter filed. A duplicate certificate or
  231  corrected certificate may shall only show such lien or liens as
  232  were shown in the application and subsequently filed liens that
  233  may be outstanding.
  234         Section 6. Present subsection (4) of section 319.29,
  235  Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (5), and a new
  236  subsection (4) is added to that section, to read:
  237         319.29 Lost or destroyed certificates.—
  238         (4) An application for a duplicate copy of a certificate of
  239  title may be fulfilled by the tax collector acting as an
  240  authorized agent of the department. Upon the applicant’s
  241  request, the duplicate copy may be issued by the tax collector
  242  and provided to the applicant at the tax collector’s office or
  243  mailed by the tax collector to the applicants address.
  244         Section 7. Subsection (1) of section 320.031, Florida
  245  Statutes, is amended to read:
  246         320.031 Mailing or delivery of registration certificates,
  247  license plates, and validation stickers.—
  248         (1) The department and the tax collectors of the several
  249  counties of the state, as agents of the department, may at the
  250  request of the applicant deliver in person or use United States
  251  mail service to deliver registration certificates and renewals
  252  thereof, duplicate registration certificates, license plates,
  253  mobile home stickers, and validation stickers to applicants.
  254         Section 8. Subsections (1) and (3), paragraphs (a) and (c)
  255  of subsection (4), and subsection (6) of section 320.084,
  256  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  257         320.084 Free motor vehicle license plate to certain
  258  disabled veterans.—
  259         (1) One free disabled veteran “DV” motor vehicle license
  260  number plate shall be issued by the department for use on any
  261  motor vehicle owned or leased by any disabled veteran who has
  262  been a resident of this state continuously for the preceding 5
  263  years or has established a domicile in this state as provided by
  264  s. 222.17(1), (2), or (3), and who has been honorably discharged
  265  from the United States Armed Forces, upon application,
  266  accompanied by proof that:
  267         (a) A vehicle was initially acquired through financial
  268  assistance by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  269  or its predecessor specifically for the purchase of an
  270  automobile;
  271         (b) The applicant has been determined by the United States
  272  Department of Veterans Affairs or its predecessor to have a
  273  service-connected 100-percent disability rating for
  274  compensation; or
  275         (c) The applicant has been determined to have a service
  276  connected disability rating of 100 percent and is in receipt of
  277  disability retirement pay from any branch of the United States
  278  Armed Services.
  279         (3) The department shall, as it deems necessary, require
  280  each person to whom a motor vehicle license plate has been
  281  issued pursuant to subsection (1) to apply to the department for
  282  reissuance of his or her registration license plate. Upon
  283  receipt of the application and proof of the applicant’s
  284  continued eligibility, the department shall issue a new
  285  permanent disabled veteran “DV” numerical motor vehicle license
  286  plate which shall be of the colors red, white, and blue similar
  287  to the colors of the United States flag. The operation of a
  288  motor vehicle displaying a disabled veteran “DV” license plate
  289  from a previous issue period or a noncurrent validation sticker
  290  after the date specified by the department shall subject the
  291  owner if he or she is present, otherwise the operator, to the
  292  penalty provided in s. 318.18(2). Such permanent license plate
  293  shall be removed upon sale of the vehicle, but may be
  294  transferred to another vehicle owned by such veteran in the
  295  manner prescribed by law. The license number of each plate
  296  issued under this section shall be identified by the letter
  297  designation “DV.” Upon request of any such veteran, the
  298  department is authorized to issue a designation plate containing
  299  only the letters “DV,” to be displayed on the front of the
  300  vehicle.
  301         (4)(a) With the issuance of each new permanent disabled
  302  veteran “DV” numerical motor vehicle license plate, the
  303  department shall initially issue, without cost to the applicant,
  304  a validation sticker reflecting the owner’s birth month and a
  305  serially numbered validation sticker reflecting the year of
  306  expiration. The initial sticker reflecting the year of
  307  expiration may not exceed 27 months.
  308         (c) Registration under this section shall be renewed
  309  annually or biennially during the applicable renewal period on
  310  forms prescribed by the department, which shall include, in
  311  addition to any other information required by the department, a
  312  certified statement as to the continued eligibility of the
  313  applicant to receive the disabled veteran special “DV” license
  314  plate. Any applicant who falsely or fraudulently submits to the
  315  department the certified statement required by this paragraph is
  316  guilty of a noncriminal violation and is subject to a civil
  317  penalty of $50.
  318         (6)(a) A disabled veteran who meets the requirements of
  319  subsection (1) may be issued, in lieu of the disabled veteran
  320  “DV” license plate, a military license plate for which he or she
  321  is eligible or a specialty license plate embossed with the
  322  initials “DV” in the top left-hand corner. A disabled veteran
  323  electing a military license plate or specialty license plate
  324  under this subsection must pay all applicable fees related to
  325  such license plate, except for fees otherwise waived under
  326  subsections (1) and (4). A request for a specialty license plate
  327  under this subsection must be processed as provided in s.
  328  320.0805.
  329         (b) A military license plate or specialty license plate
  330  elected under this subsection:
  331         1. Does not provide the protections or rights afforded by
  332  ss. 316.1955, 316.1964, 320.0848, 526.141, and 553.5041.
  333         2. is not eligible for the international symbol of
  334  accessibility as described in s. 320.0842.
  335         Section 9. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) and paragraph
  336  (e) of subsection (2) of section 320.0848, Florida Statutes, are
  337  amended to read:
  338         320.0848 Persons who have disabilities; issuance of
  339  disabled parking permits; temporary permits; permits for certain
  340  providers of transportation services to persons who have
  341  disabilities.—
  342         (1)
  343         (d) The department shall renew the disabled parking permit
  344  of a any person certified as permanently disabled on the
  345  previous application for a subsequent 4-year period without
  346  requiring the person to provide another certificate of
  347  disability or United States Department of Veterans Affairs Form
  348  Letter 27-333, or its equivalent, as applicable. After such 4
  349  year period, the department shall renew the disabled parking
  350  permit if the person provides a certificate of disability issued
  351  within the last 12 months pursuant to this subsection. A veteran
  352  who has been previously evaluated and certified by the United
  353  States Department of Veterans Affairs or any branch of the
  354  United States Armed Forces as permanently and totally disabled
  355  from a service-connected disability may provide a United States
  356  Department of Veterans Affairs Form Letter 27-333, or its
  357  equivalent, issued within the last 12 months in lieu of a
  358  certificate of disability.
  359         (2) DISABLED PARKING PERMIT; PERSONS WITH LONG-TERM
  360  MOBILITY PROBLEMS.—
  361         (e) A person who qualifies for a disabled parking permit
  362  under this section may be issued an international wheelchair
  363  user symbol license plate under s. 320.0843 in lieu of the
  364  disabled parking permit; or, if the person qualifies for a
  365  disabled veteran “DV” license plate under s. 320.084, such a
  366  license plate may be issued to him or her in lieu of a disabled
  367  parking permit.
  368         Section 10. Subsections (1) and (5) of section 322.02,
  369  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  370         322.02 Legislative intent; administration.—
  371         (1) The Legislature finds that over the past several years
  372  the department and individual county tax collectors have entered
  373  into contracts for the delivery of full and limited driver
  374  license services where such contractual relationships best
  375  served the public interest through state administration and
  376  enforcement and local government implementation. It is the
  377  intent of the Legislature that the complete transition of all
  378  driver license issuance services to tax collectors who are
  379  constitutional officers under s. 1(d), Art. VIII of the State
  380  Constitution be completed no later than June 30, 2027 2015. The
  381  transition of services to appointed charter county tax
  382  collectors may occur on a limited basis as directed by the
  383  department.
  384         (5) The tax collector in and for his or her county is may
  385  be designated the exclusive agent of the department to implement
  386  and administer the provisions of this chapter as provided by s.
  387  322.135.
  388         Section 11. Subsections (3) and (4) of section 322.12,
  389  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  390         322.12 Examination of applicants.—
  391         (3)(a) For an applicant for a Class E driver license, such
  392  examination must shall include all of the following:
  393         1.(a) A test of the applicant’s eyesight given by the
  394  driver license examiner designated by the department or by a
  395  licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician.
  396         2.(b) A test of the applicant’s hearing given by a driver
  397  license examiner or a licensed physician.
  398         3.(c) A test of the applicant’s ability to read and
  399  understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing
  400  traffic; his or her knowledge of the traffic laws of this state,
  401  including laws regulating driving under the influence of alcohol
  402  or controlled substances, driving with an unlawful blood-alcohol
  403  level, and driving while intoxicated; and his or her knowledge
  404  of the effects of alcohol and controlled substances upon persons
  405  and the dangers of driving a motor vehicle while under the
  406  influence of alcohol or controlled substances. At least 25
  407  questions within the bank of test questions must address bicycle
  408  and pedestrian safety.
  409         4.(d) An actual demonstration of ability to exercise
  410  ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor
  411  vehicle.
  412         (b) An applicant who is found to have cheated during, or to
  413  have otherwise circumvented, any portion of the examination must
  414  retake the examination.
  415         (4)(a) The examination for an applicant for a commercial
  416  driver license must shall include all of the following:
  417         1. A test of the applicant’s eyesight given by a driver
  418  license examiner designated by the department or by a licensed
  419  ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician. and
  420         2. A test of the applicant’s hearing given by a driver
  421  license examiner or a licensed physician.
  422         3.The examination shall also include A test of the
  423  applicant’s ability to read and understand highway signs
  424  regulating, warning, and directing traffic; his or her knowledge
  425  of the traffic laws of this state pertaining to the class of
  426  motor vehicle which he or she is applying to be licensed to
  427  operate, including laws regulating driving under the influence
  428  of alcohol or controlled substances, driving with an unlawful
  429  blood-alcohol level, and driving while intoxicated; his or her
  430  knowledge of the effects of alcohol and controlled substances
  431  and the dangers of driving a motor vehicle after having consumed
  432  alcohol or controlled substances; and his or her knowledge of
  433  any special skills, requirements, or precautions necessary for
  434  the safe operation of the class of vehicle which he or she is
  435  applying to be licensed to operate.
  436         4.In addition, the examination shall include An actual
  437  demonstration of the applicant’s ability to exercise ordinary
  438  and reasonable control in the safe operation of a motor vehicle
  439  or combination of vehicles of the type covered by the license
  440  classification which the applicant is seeking, including an
  441  examination of the applicant’s ability to perform an inspection
  442  of his or her vehicle.
  443         (b)(a) The portion of the examination required under
  444  subparagraph (a)4. which tests an applicant’s safe driving
  445  ability shall be administered by the department or by an entity
  446  authorized by the department to administer such examination,
  447  pursuant to s. 322.56. Such examination shall be administered at
  448  a location approved by the department.
  449         (c)(b) A person who seeks to retain a hazardous-materials
  450  endorsement must, upon renewal, pass the test for such
  451  endorsement as specified in s. 322.57(1)(e), if the person has
  452  not taken and passed the hazardous-materials test within 2 years
  453  preceding his or her application for a commercial driver license
  454  in this state.
  455         (d)An applicant who is found to have cheated during, or to
  456  have otherwise circumvented, any portion of the examination must
  457  retake the examination.
  458         Section 12. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
  459  322.135, Florida Statutes, is amended, and paragraph (d) is
  460  added to that subsection, to read:
  461         322.135 Driver license agents.—
  462         (1) The department shall, upon application, authorize by
  463  interagency agreement any or all of the tax collectors who are
  464  constitutional officers under s. 1(d), Art. VIII of the State
  465  Constitution in the several counties of the state, subject to
  466  the requirements of law, in accordance with rules of the
  467  department, to serve as its agent for the provision of specified
  468  driver license services.
  469         (a) These services shall be limited to the issuance of
  470  driver licenses and identification cards as authorized by this
  471  chapter, transactions for which may be processed by the tax
  472  collector using the department’s online license and registration
  473  portal.
  474         (d) A tax collector may offer a licensee or prospective
  475  licensee the option to increase the amount of his or her
  476  transaction to the next whole dollar amount in order to donate
  477  the amount of the increase to a charity registered with the
  478  Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
  479         Section 13. Subsection (4) of section 322.251, Florida
  480  Statutes, is amended to read:
  481         322.251 Notice of cancellation, suspension, revocation, or
  482  disqualification of license.—
  483         (4) A person whose privilege to operate a commercial motor
  484  vehicle is temporarily disqualified may, upon surrendering his
  485  or her commercial driver license, be issued a Class E driver
  486  license, valid for the length of his or her unexpired commercial
  487  driver license, if eligible, at no cost. Such person may, upon
  488  the completion of his or her disqualification, be issued a
  489  commercial driver license, of the type disqualified, for the
  490  remainder of his or her unexpired license period. Any such
  491  person must shall pay the reinstatement fee provided in s.
  492  322.21 before being issued a commercial driver license.
  493         Section 14. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  494  322.271, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  495         322.271 Authority to modify revocation, cancellation, or
  496  suspension order.—
  497         (1)
  498         (b) A person whose driving privilege has been revoked under
  499  s. 322.27(5) may, upon expiration of 12 months from the date of
  500  such revocation, petition the department for reinstatement of
  501  his or her driving privilege. Upon such petition and after
  502  investigation of the person’s qualification, fitness, and need
  503  to drive, the department shall hold a hearing pursuant to
  504  chapter 120 to determine whether the driving privilege shall be
  505  reinstated on a restricted basis solely for business or
  506  employment purposes. If such person is granted a limited driving
  507  privilege and subsequently violates the conditions of the
  508  restricted driving privilege, the restricted driving privilege
  509  must be revoked and the person is not eligible for any driving
  510  privilege for the remaining duration of the 5-year period after
  511  his or her initial license revocation.
  512         Section 15. Section 322.66, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  513  read:
  514         322.66 Vehicles permitted to be driven during driving
  515  skills tests.—A person who does not possess a valid driver
  516  license may drive a noncommercial or commercial motor vehicle
  517  during a driving skills test conducted in accordance with s.
  518  322.12(3) and (4)(b) s. 322.12(3) and (4)(a), if the person has
  519  passed the vision, hearing, road rules, and road signs tests
  520  ordinarily administered to applicants for a Class E license,
  521  and, if required, has passed the commercial driver license
  522  knowledge and appropriate endorsement tests.
  523         Section 16. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.