(a) General rule.--Every applicant for a driver's license shall be examined for the type or class of vehicles that the applicant desires to drive. The examination shall include a physical examination, a screening test of the applicant's eyesight and a test of the applicant's ability to read and understand official traffic-control devices, knowledge of safe driving practices and the traffic laws of this Commonwealth, and shall include an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle of the type or class of vehicles for which the applicant desires a license to drive. If the department finds it necessary to further determine an applicant's fitness to operate a motor vehicle safely upon the highways the department may require one or more of the following types of examinations:

(1) A vision examination by an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

(2) A physical examination pursuant to section 1508.1 (relating to physical examinations).

(3) A mental examination.

(b) Issuance of license to licensed nonresident.--A driver's license may be issued to a person who has not had a learner's permit but who at the time of application is of sufficient age and has either a valid driver's license issued by another state or a license issued by another state which has expired within six months of the date of application under a law of that state requiring the examination and licensing of drivers, providing that the applicant demonstrates visual fitness. Also, the department must be satisfied that the applicant's experience in driving vehicles which may be driven by holders of the classes of licenses sought by the applicant is sufficient to justify the issuance of the license without further behind-the-wheel training.

(c) Alcohol and drug use information.--The traffic laws examination shall contain at least one question relating to the driver's ability to understand the effects of alcohol and drug use on highway safety or the provisions of section 1547 (relating to chemical testing to determine amount of alcohol or controlled substance). The driver's manual shall include a section relating to the effects of alcohol and drug use on highway safety, along with the related penalties.

(d) Police pursuit awareness.--The driver's manual shall include a section summarizing the risks involved in fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. The section shall also summarize the related penalties for a violation of section 3733 (relating to fleeing or attempting to elude police officer).

(e) Third-party testing.--The department may authorize a third party to administer the portion of the examination that demonstrates the applicant's ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle of the type or class of vehicles for which the applicant desires a license to drive. Third-party providers shall only administer exams required in this section if:

(1) The test is the same test as that which would otherwise be administered by the department.

(2) The third party has entered into an agreement with the department and the agreement has not been terminated by the department.

(f) Layoffs.--No layoffs shall occur in the classifications known as Driver License Examiner, Driver License Examiner Assistant and Driver License Center Supervisor as a result of third-party testing under subsection (e).

(g) Autocycles not to be used.--No applicant for a driver's license may use an autocycle for the actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle of the type or class of vehicles for which the applicant desires a license to drive.

(July 9, 1986, P.L.544, No.96, eff. 60 days; Dec. 27, 1994, P.L.1337, No.154; Dec. 10, 1996, P.L.925, No.149, eff. 60 days; Dec. 21, 1998, P.L.1126, No.151, eff. 60 days; Oct. 22, 2014, P.L.2635, No.170, eff. 60 days; May 25, 2016, P.L.248, No.34, eff. 60 days)

2016 Amendment. Act 34 added subsec. (g).

2014 Amendment. Act 170 added subsecs. (e) and (f).

1998 Amendment. Act 151 amended subsec. (b).

1996 Amendment. Act 149 amended subsec. (a).

1994 Amendment. Act 154 added subsec. (d), effective on December 27, 1995, or on the date of publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin of notice that the driver's manual has been reprinted, whichever is earlier.

1986 Amendment. Act 96 added subsec. (c).

Cross References. Section 1508 is referred to in sections 1505, 1514, 1538, 1554 of this title.