Pennsylvania § 1512 - Restrictions on drivers' licenses.

§ 1512. Restrictions on drivers' licenses.

(a) General rule.--The department upon issuing a driver's license shall have authority whenever good cause appears to impose restrictions suitable to the licensee's driving ability with respect to special mechanical control devices required on a motor vehicle which the licensee may operate or such other restrictions applicable to the licensee as the department may determine to be appropriate to assure the safe operation of a motor vehicle by the licensee.

(b) Compliance with restrictions.--No person shall operate a motor vehicle in any manner in violation of the restrictions imposed.

(c) Bioptic telescope restrictions.--After an individual meets the bioptic telescope learner's permit requirements and successfully passes a driver's examination administered by the department, the individual may be issued a restricted license with the following restrictions:

(1) The individual's driving privilege is limited to roads other than freeways.

(2) The individual's driving privilege is limited to passenger vehicles weighing no more than 10,000 pounds and excludes operation of a motorcycle.

(3) If determined by the department or low-vision rehabilitation specialist to be appropriate, the individual's driving privilege may be limited to driving within a limited radius of the individual's residence.

(4) If the individual has visual acuity of less than 20/50 vision using bioptic telescope lenses while driving, the individual may drive in daylight hours only.

(5) If the applicant has visual acuity of 20/40 or better vision using bioptic telescope lenses while driving, the individual may apply for nighttime driving after one year, provided:

(i) the individual has committed no violations of this title and had no accidents reported during that year; and

(ii) the individual is reevaluated by a certified driving instructor or certified driver rehabilitation specialist knowledgeable in the use of bioptic telescopes for driving, and the instructor or specialist recommends allowing nighttime driving.

(6) A violation of a condition or limitation in this subsection shall result in the recall of the bioptic telescope license. An annual review of the individual's accident and violation history shall be conducted by the department. The bioptic telescope license may be recalled if the department determines that the individual was involved in an at-fault accident or convicted of two moving violations committed within a one-year period. A bioptic telescope licensee shall be subject to an annual vision assessment to determine whether the licensee's vision continues to meet the bioptic telescope-related vision standards in section 1505 (relating to learners' permits).

(Nov. 25, 2020, P.L.1246, No.131, eff. 10 months)

2020 Amendment. Act 131 added subsec. (c).

Cross References. Section 1512 is referred to in section 1535 of this title.