Committee advances bill requiring education for drivers with recent citations

The House Committee on Transportation on March 19 advanced SP 2665 SD2, a measure that would require applicants who received traffic citations to complete an educational course (including a Department of Transportation road-safety video) and a written road-safety exam before renewing a driver’s license.

William Bento of the Office of the Public Defender testified in opposition, saying a written exam is unlikely to change drivers’ attitudes or behavior. “The fact that you are able to study for an exam and memorize the answers to questions doesn't necessarily translate to driving with aloha on the road and thinking about being safe with other people,” Bento told the committee, urging instead for short video education at renewal and consideration of positive incentives for good drivers.

Deputy Attorney General Michael Moria recommended drafting changes to replace the bill’s term “moving violation” with the more precise phrase “traffic citation for violation of state traffic law or county traffic ordinance involving the operation of a motor vehicle,” and proposed deleting specified language for clarity. The chair said the committee would adopt the Attorney General’s recommended amendments and also increase the trigger from one citation to two citations within five years to reduce burden on motorists.

The committee voted to pass SP 2665 SD2 with amendments. Clerk announcements showed no recorded no votes and no reservations when the recommendation was adopted.

The amended measure sets the effective date as July 1, 2027, in the current draft and directs staff to reflect technical and stylistic changes recommended in testimony. Next steps: the committee report will incorporate the adopted amendments and the bill will proceed in the House process.