New Laws Affect Drivers In 2015

Several new laws went into effect in the new year which will impact drivers across the country.

All California residents, regardless of immigration status, will be eligible to apply for a driver's license after the passage of the Safe and Responsible Driver Act (AB60) in 2013. 1.4 million undocumented Californians will be eligible to apply for licenses under the new law.

Illinois has moved forward on several laws, including:

Subject to the completion of a traffic engineering study along with Tollway board and state approvals, the maximum speed limit on a tollway will increase from 55 mph to 70 mph.

The speed limit for large commercial trucks has been raised – from 55 mph to 60 mph – on interstates in Cook County and suburban counties outside of densely populated areas.

A previous requirement that drivers who are ticketed for minor traffic offenses turn over their driver’s license until they appear in court to pay the fine has been removed.

Indiana judges now can grant special driving privileges to a someone with a suspended license. These involve driving for specific purposes, such as traveling to and from work or picking up children from school. When authorized, such driving privileges must be in place for six months, with all restrictions clearly spelled out.

Massachusetts has lifted the ban on 'hold open' clips nozzles on gas pumps. Customers at self-service gas stations will no longer have to stand and hold the nozzle the entire time they're pumping gas.

In Michigan, a new law goes into effect that permits law enforcement officers to conduct a roadside analysis for drugs or other intoxicants, including prescription drugs, which impair driving.

A new law in Minnesota increases the time teens must practice driving before getting their driver's license from 30 hours to 50 hours. However, if a parent completes a 90 minute awareness class, the number of hours their child must practice driving is reduced from 50 hours to 40 hours.

Anyone placed on probation or sentenced for impaired driving in North Carolina on or after January 1, will serve a sentence in a local confinement facility (not the state prison).

New handheld cellphone bans in San Antonio and Austin, TX went into effect January 1. The Austin law includes an exemption that allows handheld phone use while completely stopped in standstill traffic or at a red light, unlike San Antonio. There still is not a statewide action regarding cellphone usage in vehicles.

In Utah, state highway troopers now must impound the vehicle of a driver found to be without car insurance, unless doing so would present a safety concern.

Virginia drivers 75 years old and older will have to apply in person for every driver's license renewal. Seniors over 75 will no longer be eligible to renew their drivers license electronically or by mail.

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