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H.282 aims to give homeschooled students access to approved driver education courses
Summary
Representative Chris Taylor told the committee H.282 would allow approved driver-education programs for home-study students, including parent-delivered behind‑the‑wheel instruction if the parent meets safety criteria; lawmakers said the approach could expand access and reduce private-course costs.
Representative Chris Taylor presented H.282 to ensure Vermont home-study students have equitable access to approved driver education and behind-the-wheel training. Taylor said current state rules require driver education before obtaining a junior operator’s license, but home-study families often face barriers — limited school program capacity or distant/private providers — and sometimes pay for costly private courses.
H.282 would direct the commissioner of motor vehicles and the secretary of education to approve one or more driver-education programs for home-study students meeting the same instructional standards as school-based courses, including alcohol‑and‑drug effects, insurance requirements and environmental considerations. The bill would allow parents or guardians who meet safety criteria to deliver the approved curriculum and behind‑the‑wheel instruction while maintaining state oversight.
Committee members said the proposal could alleviate demand pressure in school programs and pointed out existing online driver-education offerings. Representatives suggested considering whether the option should be offered to all students, not only home-study, and asked for participation and capacity data; Taylor said he would provide additional details and that the concept builds on existing online programs.
No vote was taken; members welcomed the equity argument and asked for operational details and counts of home-study students and program capacity.
