Sec. 306a.

(1) The secretary of state may issue a commercial learner's permit entitling a person to drive a vehicle requiring a vehicle group designation or indorsement under section 312e if all of the following apply:

(a) The person submits a proper application and meets the requirements of 49 CFR part 383.

(b) The person is 18 years of age or older.

(c) The person holds a valid operator's or chauffeur's license that is not a restricted license.

(d) The person passes the knowledge tests for an original vehicle group designation or indorsement, as required by 49 CFR part 383.

(e) If the person is applying for a hazardous materials indorsement, he or she has been approved for the hazardous materials indorsement by the federal transportation security administration.

(2) A person issued a commercial learner's permit under subsection (1), or an equivalent commercial learner's permit issued by another jurisdiction, may operate a vehicle requiring a vehicle group designation or indorsement under section 312e, if all of the following apply:

(a) The person has the permit and a valid operator's or chauffeur's license in his or her possession while operating the vehicle.

(b) The person is accompanied by an instructor certified under the driver education provider and instructor act, 2006 PA 384, MCL 256.621 to 256.705, or an adult with a valid operator's or chauffeur's license, and all of the following apply:

(i) The instructor or licensed adult has in his or her possession a valid license with a vehicle group designation and any indorsement necessary to operate the vehicle as provided in section 312e.

(ii) The instructor or licensed adult is at all times physically present in the front seat of the vehicle next to the operator or, in the case of a passenger vehicle, directly behind the operator or in the first row behind the operator.

(iii) The instructor or licensed adult has the operator under observation and direct supervision.

(c) The person shall not operate a vehicle transporting hazardous materials as defined in 49 CFR part 383.

(d) If the person has a permit to operate a tank vehicle, the person may only operate an empty tank vehicle and shall not operate any tank vehicle that previously contained hazardous materials unless the tank has been purged of all hazardous material residue.

(e) If the person has a permit to operate a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers or a school bus, the person shall not operate a vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers or a school bus with any passengers other than the following individuals:

(i) The instructor or licensed adult described in this section.

(ii) Federal or state auditors or inspectors.

(iii) Test examiners.

(iv) Other trainees.

(3) A commercial learner's permit issued under this section is valid for 180 days from the date of issuance. A person may apply 1 time to renew the permit for an additional 180 days without taking the knowledge tests described in subsection (1) if the person applies for the renewal before the expiration of the original permit.

History: Add. 2015, Act 11, Eff. July 8, 2015