One of the ugliest realities California drivers face is not on the roads, it's on their license - their DMV photo.
Now, a state legislator is offering drivers a second shot at getting that photo just right.
Sen. Josh Newman, D-Fullerton, has introduced a bill to allow drivers to take multiple photos at their DMV field office if they do not like the first one, but they will have to pay a fee to do that. The driver can then choose the photo he or she wants to appear on their driver license.
Newman, in a press statement, said his goal in introducing SB 1407 is to infuse more money into a new state Driver Education and Training Fund.
The bill, introduced last week, "would create a new revenue source for something that is really lacking in public education,” Newman said in a press statement. “Driver education needs to be a funding priority for the state and this legislation creates a simple mechanism to bring drivers education back to our schools.”
Most California high schools have dropped driver education courses in the past several decades due to lack of funding and increased curricular demands on students time. California teens have instead had to pay for training from private companies, a financial hardship for some.
Newman said the fund would allow more schools to provide this student driver education.
The Newman bill also would allow California drivers to get a photo taken off-site and give that photo to the DMV to be placed on their license.
This story was originally published February 22, 2018 8:47 AM.