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Health & Fitness

CT DMV Says No to Tests for Renewal Driver's Licenses

Sometimes the best news stories are those that the media fails to follow up on. A simple Google search showed that WFSB Channel 3 and FOX 61 reported on Mar. 5 about a proposed bill that would require drivers to pass a written knowledge test to get their licenses renewed. Those who fail the written test would have to take an on-the-road skills test to retain their licenses.

The stations failed to later report on the written testimony given by the Connecticut Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles, which can simply be found by visiting the Connecticut General Assembly website.

Slated to take effect on Jan. 1, 2016, Senate Raised Bill 335: An Act Requiring Continuing Education for Connecticut’s Drivers, was discussed at a public hearing by the Transportation Committee on March 5. The transcript for the public hearing, which is a complete record of those who spoke at the hearing, was unavailable at press time.

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The Connecticut General Assembly website shows the only testimony submitted to the committee was by DMV Commissioner Melody A. Currey.

In her written testimony she stated, “It appears the legislation’s intent is to try to make sure that drivers know the rules of the road before they receive their renewal license. DMV also wants to make sure that the motoring public knows how to operate a motor vehicle safely and understands the rules. However, this legislation would require DMV to significantly modify its current driver license renewal process at considerable cost. The Department would have to administer approximately 400,000 additional knowledge tests each year which the Department would not be able to accommodate with current equipment and staffing. Further, AAA currently performs license renewals in partnership with DMV, however, AAA does not administer any knowledge testing because they issue renewals only. As a result, all of the customer service for driver license renewals now performed by AAA would be shifted to DMV. The Department has made dramatic improvements for its customers in the last year by allowing customers to schedule their driver license tests online at a date and time that is convenient for them at branch locations throughout the state. This legislation would require all of its customers due for a license renewal to now return to a branch to take a test causing increased wait times. While the Department can understand the intended goal of this legislation, there is no clear evidence that requiring drivers to pass a written exam at the time of license renewal results in safer operation on a state’s roadways. For all of the aforementioned reasons, I would respectfully respect the legislation not proceed.”

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It’s surprising the stations were so interested in being the first to report the story, they forgot to, or didn’t have time, call the DMV to find out their take on it. Surprising too is that the Transportation Committee, who introduced the bill, failed to check with the DMV before holding a public hearing. It’s just another example of how the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing in state government.

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