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Committee advances bill to allow 15‑year‑olds to obtain driving permits
Summary
A legislative committee reported House Bill 15 favorably after testimony arguing earlier permit access will increase supervised training, align Kentucky with neighboring states and help rural workforce access. The committee substitute keeps full licenses deferred until age 17 under the graduated licensing framework.
Representative Stephen Rudy, the bill sponsor, told the committee House Bill 15 would lower the minimum age to obtain a learner’s permit to 15 and keep the state’s graduated driver‑licensing restrictions in place so a full license would not be available until 17 with required supervised driving time. "This bill would allow for 15 year olds to get their permit," Rudy said, adding that a year of supervised experience would let a 16‑year‑old who has logged six months of training become eligible to take the driving test.
Fourteen‑year‑old Brooks Young of Franklin County testified in support. "Allowing them to begin driving under controlled, safe, and structured conditions offers an opportunity to further develop these crucial life skills," Young said. He told the committee that earlier supervised driving would help teens balance school, jobs and other activities and that parents would have more time to guide and monitor training.
Committee members who spoke in favor cited interstate alignment and rural needs. "We are definitely on an island," Rudy said, arguing neighboring states already allow 15‑year‑old permit holders. Senator Wilson said the change would bring Kentucky in line with surrounding states. Senator Douglas noted the bill’s explicit reliance on parents and guardians for supervised practice and said that detail helped her support the measure.
Members also discussed operational impacts. Chairman Higdon warned the change would add work for regional driver‑license offices and asked members to watch for related legislation and administrative needs. Rudy said he and members had been in contact with the Transportation Cabinet and acknowledged regional office backlogs; he said the committee is exploring ways to mitigate expected delays.
The committee adopted a committee substitute before taking the final vote. House Bill 15 was reported favorably by voice and roll call; committee minutes record the measure "reported favorably with committee substitute attached."
