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Committee holds bill that would allow one non‑parent passenger and authorized adult supervisors for learner drivers
Summary
House Bill 308 (1st substitute) would allow a parent to authorize a licensed adult to supervise a minor’s required supervised driving hours and would permit one passenger (not limited by relationship) for the initial restricted period; the committee voted to hold the bill for redrafting and clarification.
The House Transportation Committee voted to hold House Bill 308, a first‑substitute proposal to adjust Utah’s graduated driver‑licensing rules for minors.
Sponsor Representative Colford said the substitute would allow a parent or guardian who lacks a valid driver’s license to designate a licensed adult (age 21 or older) to supervise the statutory supervised driving hours, and would allow one passenger regardless of relationship during the initial restricted period. Colford described the changes as aligning with national recommendations that limit passengers to one and creating flexibility for families where a parent cannot legally supervise driving hours.
Committee members raised concerns about language ambiguity and safety. Representative Peterson and insurance industry representatives cited research suggesting peer passengers raise crash risk. Robin Lalamy, director of the Highway Safety Office, said a 10‑year review showed 38% of teen‑involved crashes involved passengers but that fatal crashes with passengers were a much smaller share; she cautioned that establishing causation from crash reports is difficult. Mike Sontag, representing insurer groups, opposed the passenger change and said his data indicated peer passengers substantially increase crash risk.
The department that administers driver licensing supported the substitute’s intent and noted the current statute already allows immediate family members as passengers; Director Chris Karas confirmed that the code today permits multiple immediate family members during the learner stage. Committee members noted the bill’s language required clarification so it could not be read as allowing unlimited immediate family passengers plus an unrelated passenger.
Vice Chair DeFe moved to hold the bill so sponsors could clean up language and resolve the passenger and supervision wording; the motion passed. The committee asked the sponsor to coordinate with the driver license division, the Highway Safety Office and stakeholders and to provide clearer statutory text if the bill returns.
