1503 - Persons ineligible for licensing; license issuance to minors; junior driver's license.
§ 1503. Persons ineligible for licensing; license issuance to minors; junior driver's license. (a) Persons ineligible for licensing.--The department shall not issue a driver's license to, or renew the driver's license of, any person: (1) Whose operating privilege is suspended or revoked in this or any other state. (2) (Deleted by amendment). (3) Who is a user of alcohol or any controlled substance to a degree rendering the user incapable of safely driving a motor vehicle. This paragraph does not apply to any person who is enrolled or otherwise participating in a methadone or other controlled substance treatment program approved by the Department of Health provided that the person is certified to be competent to drive by a physician designated by the Department of Health. (4) Who has been adjudged to be afflicted with or suffering from any mental disability or disease and who has not at the time of application been restored to competency by the methods provided by law. (5) Whose name has been submitted under the provisions of section 1518 (relating to reports on mental or physical disabilities or disorders). (6) Who is required by the department to take an examination until the person has successfully passed the examination. (7) Who is under 18 years of age except in accordance with subsections (b) and (c). (8) Who has repeatedly violated any of the provisions of this chapter. The department shall provide an opportunity for a hearing upon invoking this paragraph. (9) Who is not a resident of this Commonwealth. This paragraph shall not apply to an employee of the Federal or State Government or the employee's immediate family or a person in the service of the armed forces of the United States or the person's immediate family. (b) License issuance to minors.--The department shall issue a driver's license to a person 17 years of age who: (1) has successfully completed a driver's training course approved by the department; and (2) for a period of 12 months after passing the examination under section 1505(e) (relating to learners' permits) and receiving a junior driver's license: (i) has not been involved in an accident reportable under section 3746(a) (relating to immediate notice of accident to police department) for which they are partially or fully responsible in the opinion of the department; or (ii) has not been convicted of any violation of this title. (c) Junior driver's license.--The department may issue a junior driver's license to a person 16 or 17 years of age under rules and regulations adopted by the department and subject to the provisions of this section. A junior driver's license shall automatically become a regular driver's license when the junior driver attains 18 years of age. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), no licensed junior driver shall drive a vehicle upon a public highway between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a spouse 18 years of age or older, a parent or a person in loco parentis. (2) A licensed junior driver conforming to the requirements of section 1507 (relating to application for driver's license or learner's permit by minor) may drive a vehicle upon a public highway between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. between the junior driver's home and activity or employment or in the course of the junior driver's activity or employment if the junior driver is a member of a volunteer fire company authorized by the fire chief to engage in fighting fires, is engaged in public or charitable service or is employed and is carrying an affidavit or certificate of authorization signed by the junior driver's fire chief, supervisor or employer indicating the probable schedule of the junior driver's activities. Upon termination of the junior driver's activity or employment, the junior driver shall surrender the affidavit or certificate to the fire chief, supervisor or employer. If the junior driver shall fail to surrender the affidavit or certificate, the employer, fire chief or supervisor shall immediately notify the Pennsylvania State Police. (3) In addition to the other provisions of this title relating to the suspension or revocation of operating privileges, in the event that a licensed junior driver is involved in an accident reportable under section 3746(a) for which the junior driver is partially or fully responsible in the opinion of the department or is convicted of any violation of this title, the department may suspend the operating privileges of the junior driver until the junior driver attains 18 years of age or for a period of time not exceeding 90 days. (4) Any junior driver or other person violating any provision of this subsection is guilty of a summary offense. (Dec. 21, 1998, P.L.1126, No.151, eff. 60 days; June 25, 1999, P.L.164, No.23; Dec. 9, 2002, P.L.1278, No.152, eff. 120 days) 2002 Amendment. Act 152 added subsec. (a)(9). 1999 Amendment. Act 23 amended the entire section, effective in 60 days as to subsec. (c)(1) and (2) and 180 days as to the remainder of the section. Cross References. Section 1503 is referred to in sections 1504, 1533, 1550 of this title.