FOR AN ACT ENTITLED, An Act to prohibit certain minors from using wireless
communication devices while operating motor vehicles upon the public highways.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA:
Section 1. That § 32-14-1 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SUBDIVISION to read as
follows:
"Wireless communication device," any wireless electronic communication device that
provides for voice or data communication between two or more parties, including a mobile or
cellular telephone, a text messaging device, a personal digital assistant that sends or receives
messages, an audio-video player that sends or receives messages, or a laptop computer. A
wireless communication device does not include a global positioning or navigation system
(GPS) used to receive driving directions.
Section 2. That § 32-12-11 be amended to read as follows:
32-12-11. Any person who is at least fourteen years of age but less than eighteen years of
age applying for a South Dakota operator's license, restricted minor's permit, or instruction
permit who does not currently hold an operator's license, motorcycle operator's license,
restricted minor's permit, motorcycle restricted minor's permit, instruction permit, or motorcycle
instruction permit that has been valid continuously for one hundred eighty days, shall apply to
the Department of Public Safety for an instruction permit which shall be held for a minimum
of one hundred eighty continuous days. If an applicant holds an instruction permit that has been
expired for thirty days or less, the department shall waive the knowledge test for the renewal of
the instruction permit or to upgrade to an operator's license, motorcycle operator's license,
restricted minor's permit or motorcycle restricted minor's permit. If the licensee applies and
makes payment of the required fee thirty-one or more days after the expiration date of the
license, the licensee shall take the knowledge test as required by § 32-12-4 and shall be issued
an instruction permit upon passage of the test. The department may, after the applicant has
successfully passed all parts of the examination other than the driving test and paid a fee which
is equal in amount to the fee prescribed for a license in § 32-12-16, issue to the applicant an
instruction permit. The instruction permit entitles the applicant, while having the permit in the
applicant's immediate possession, to drive a motor vehicle upon the public highways for a
period of one year during the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. if accompanied by a person holding a
valid operator's license who is at least eighteen years of age, has had at least one year of driving
experience, and who is occupying a seat beside the applicant. The applicant is entitled to drive
a motor vehicle upon the public highways during the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. if the motor
vehicle is being operated under the direction of the applicant's parent or guardian who is
occupying a seat beside the applicant. No holder of an instruction permit may use any type of
wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle upon the public highways. The
holder of an instruction permit may apply for a restricted minor's permit or operator's license
after holding a valid instruction permit for one hundred eighty continuous days.
Section 3. That § 32-12-12 be amended to read as follows:
32-12-12. A restricted minor's permit may be issued, upon application and payment of the
proper fees as provided in § 32-12-16, to a minor at least fourteen years of age but less than
eighteen years of age who has successfully passed all applicable tests and completed the
requirements of an instruction permit as provided in § 32-12-11 or 32-12-11.1 and has not been
convicted of a traffic violation during the past six months. For any such minor who has
successfully completed a driver education course that has been approved by the Department of
Education or a driver education course that the secretary of the department of public safety has
determined has been approved by a state government agency in another state, the required
minimum time period for holding the instruction permit in order to qualify for the restricted
minor's permit is ninety continuous days. A restricted minor's permit entitles the holder, while
having the permit in immediate physical possession, to operate a motor vehicle during the hours
of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. standard time if the motor vehicle is being operated with the permission of
the holder's parent or guardian and during the hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. if the motor vehicle is
being operated under the direction of the holder's parent or guardian who is occupying a seat
beside the holder. The restrictions as to time of operation and operation under the direction of
a parent or guardian do not apply to the holder of a valid restricted minor's permit operating a
self-propelled agricultural machine which is not subject to registration under chapter 32-5.
No
holder of a restricted minor's permit may use any type of wireless communication device while
operating a motor vehicle upon the public highways.
Section 4. That chapter 32-12 be amended by adding thereto a NEW SECTION to read as
follows: