SECTION 1. Section 31-10-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10 entitled "Operators' and Chauffeurs' Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

31-10-20. Driver education course required before licensing. -- No limited instruction permit or license shall be issued to any person not more than eighteen (18) years of age unless that person has successfully completed a course of instruction as provided in section 31-10-19, or a similar course of instruction recognized by the state board of education board of regents for elementary and secondary education as equivalent. In determining whether a course is equivalent, the board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall at a minimum require: (1) that the course consist of at least thirty - three (33) instructional hours, (2) that the instructor holds a valid teacher's certificate, (3) that the instructor satisfactorily completes at least a three (3) credit course in traffic safety education at an accredited institution of higher education, and (4) that the instructor is not associated in any way with a commercial driving school. However, any person who is over eighteen (18) years of age who has been issued and held a motor vehicle operator's license from another state, territory, or possession of the United States or any other sovereignty, for a period of one year immediately prior to application for a license under this chapter, shall not be required to comply with this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on June 1, 2003.