| Sec. 545.424.
OPERATION OF VEHICLE BY PERSON UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE. |
| (a) |
A person under 18 years of age, during the six-month period
following issuance of an original Class A, B, or C driver's license to the person, may not
operate a motor vehicle: |
|
(1) after midnight and before 5 a.m. unless the operation of the
vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or participate in employment or a
school-related activity or because of a medical emergency; or |
|
(2) with more than one passenger in the vehicle under 21 years of
age who is not a family member. |
| (b) |
A person under 17 years of age who holds a restricted motorcycle
license or moped license, during the six-month period following the issuance of an
original motorcycle license or moped license to the person, may not operate a motorcycle
or moped after midnight and before 5 a.m. unless: |
|
(1) the person is in sight of the person's parent or guardian; or |
|
(2) the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to
attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a medical
emergency. |
| (c) |
This section does not apply to: |
|
(1) the holder of a hardship license; or |
|
(2) a person operating a motor vehicle while accompanied in the
manner required by Section 521.222(d)(2) for the holder of an instruction permit. |
| (d) |
For the purposes of this section, employment includes work on a
family farm by a member of the family that owns or operates the farm. |
| (e) |
A peace officer may not stop a vehicle or detain the operator of a
vehicle for the sole purpose of determining whether the operator of the vehicle has
violated this section. |
| SECTION 4. This
Act does not affect the validity or effect of a driver's license, including an instruction
permit, issued before the effective date of this Act. A license issued before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the license was issued,
and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
| SECTION 5. This
Act takes effect January 1, 2002. |
