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House Approves Extension of Practice Permit Period for Young Drivers
Summary
The Utah House passed Senate Bill 10 to extend the learner/practice permit period from 60 to 90 days, require written and fitness tests, and allow supervised driving with a licensed adult. Sponsor Representative Dillard said the change gives parents more supervised practice time; the bill passed 68–0.
The Utah House on the floor approved Senate Bill 10 on third reading, extending the period for a driver’s practice permit from 60 days to 90 days and clarifying eligibility and testing requirements.
Representative Dillard, who carried the measure in the House, told colleagues the bill responds to a report from the Division of Driver’s Licenses and ‘‘permits an expansion of that from 60 days to 90 days’’ so parents have additional supervised driving time before issuing a full license. The bill requires that permit holders be at least 15 years, 9 months old, have been issued an instruction permit during their class time, and complete written and physical/mental fitness tests, including vision screening, before receiving the practice permit. No other passengers are allowed while driving under the practice permit, and a parent, guardian or other licensed adult must be in the vehicle.
Representative Watts and others asked whether foreign practices—such as the L-plate system used in the United Kingdom—had been considered; Dillard said that idea ‘‘was not discussed’’ in committee but the bill’s purpose is to provide a modest, supervised transition period after in-class instruction.
Voting was opened and closed on the measure; the House announced that SB 10 received 68 affirmative votes and 0 negative votes and will be signed by the speaker pro tem for transmittal to the governor.
The bill’s proponents framed the change as a safety and parental-supervision measure that modestly lengthens a transitional period for teens after formal instruction. The measure now moves to the executive branch for the governor’s consideration.
