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House keeps driver's education changes to expand practice-permit opportunities for teens
Summary
The House passed HB 253 requiring driver-training programs to provide students an earlier opportunity to take the written test for a practice permit (amended to require minimum age of 15½). Debate covered safety, fiscal notes and whether lowering minimum age is desirable; the bill passed 63–6 and heads to the Senate.
Representative Bradley T. Johnson sponsored House Bill 2 53 to expand opportunities for students to take the written test and receive a practice (learner's) permit at a younger age through certified driver-education teachers. Johnson said the intent is to give students experience driving with their parents and reduce the number of new drivers who receive licenses with minimal behind-the-wheel time.
Floor debate lasted extensively. Questions focused on whether the bill mandates driver-education instruction, how ninth-grade and junior-high students are handled, fiscal impacts and the minimum ages for permits. Sponsors and supporters argued amendments would reduce or eliminate the fiscal note by removing a requirement to deliver the full course in-school; opponents warned about making permit ages younger and urged more conservative rules. There was an adopted amendment changing some timeframes and minimum-age language (floor record shows debate over 15 years 6 months vs. 15 years 9 months and a decision to adopt 15½ in committee report language).
After extended debate and procedural votes, the House voted on the bill. The clerk reported HB 253 received 63 yes votes and 6 no votes. The bill passed and will be referred to the Senate.
