Ch. 81

2004 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(ii) If the license is not otherwise suspended, revoked, or canceled
under this title during the 30-day period.

(e)     If a licensee is absent from this State for cause, other than as provided in
subsection (d) of this section, and is unable to renew his license in the manner
required by this section, the licensee may renew by mail to the Administration. The
renewal application shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee and a statement
giving the reason for and the expected length of the absence. On receipt of the
application, the Administration may issue a regular license which bears a photo or a
notation that it is valid without a photo until 15 days after the licensee first returns
to this State.

(f)      An individual may not drive a motor vehicle on any highway in this State
if the license issued to him under this title has expired.

(g)     An individual may not attempt to drive a motor vehicle on any highway in
this State if the license issued to the individual under this title has expired.

(h) (1) Except as provided in [paragraph (2)] PARAGRAPHS (2) AND (3) of
this subsection, the Administration shall require every individual applying for
renewal of a driver's license to pass a vision test as prescribed by the Administration.

(2)     (i) The Administration shall accept a certification of acceptable
visual acuity from a licensed physician or optometrist instead of requiring the actual
test provided for in this subsection.

(ii) The examination for which certification is made shall take place
within 12 months of the date of application for renewal.

(3)     IF AN INDIVIDUAL AT LEAST 21 YEARS OF AGE BUT UNDER THE AGE
OF 40 YEARS APPLYING MAY APPLY FOR RENEWAL OF A DRIVER'S LICENSE HAS
PASSED ELECTRONICALLY OR BY MAIL OR OTHER MEANS AUTHORIZED BY THE
ADMINISTRATION WITHOUT TAKING A VISION TEST AS PRESCRIBED IF THE
APPLICANT HAS PASSED A VISION TEST AUTHORIZED BY THE ADMINISTRATION
WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 6 YEARS, THE VISION TEST IS NOT REQUIRED FOR THE
RENEWAL OF THE LICENSE.

[(3)] (4) (i) If the Administration has reason to believe that an
individual is a safety hazard by reason of a vision deficiency, the Administration may
require the vision test provided for in this subsection at a time other than renewal of
a driver's license.

(ii) The Administration may adopt regulations to implement the
provisions of this subsection.

(i) Before the expiration of a driver's license, if the Administration has reason
to believe that an individual is not a safety hazard, but the individual is unable to
pass a required knowledge test or vision test, the Administration may extend the
individual's privilege to drive for a period not to exceed 90 days.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act shall take
effect October July 1, 2004.

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