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Committee votes 9–8 to recommend further study of driver-education bill that would integrate parents
Summary
The House Transportation Committee voted 9–8 to recommend future legislation on House Bill 55, which would expand options for integrating parents into driver education for 16- to 18-year-olds; the DMV described scholarships and instructor recruitment efforts to address affordability and access.
The House Transportation Committee voted 9–8 to recommend future legislation on House Bill 55, a measure aimed at integrating parents more formally into driver education for 16- to 18-year-olds.
Proponents said the change could expand options for young drivers. "Integrating the parents into children's driver's education is important," Representative Kocher said when moving the motion to recommend future legislation. He acknowledged practical questions about how the DMV would verify parental involvement.
Opponents and some colleagues urged caution, citing gaps in adult knowledge and the need for accountability. Representative Polondon said many long-time drivers "don't know the basic" rules new drivers need to learn and urged documentation submitted to the DMV to confirm parental practice hours. Representative Sykes suggested parents might need a short continuing-education component to ensure they are up to date with modern vehicles and rules.
John Marasco, director of the DMV, briefed the committee on ongoing steps to improve affordability and availability of instruction. Marasco said a private scholarship program run by the New Hampshire Automobile Dealers Association (NHADA) and a recent $25,000 donation funded roughly 50 scholarships, and the agency has been working with employers and colleges to increase the instructor workforce. "Wait times are way down," Marasco told members, describing new staffing and employer-reimbursement options intended to grow capacity.
Committee members asked whether the Department of Education could restore school-based driver education in some districts; Marasco said the model still exists in a handful of districts such as Nashua, and recalled that a state driver-training fund (covered by RSA authority) previously helped offset costs when schools offered driver ed.
After discussion the clerk called the roll on the motion to recommend future legislation. The chair announced the motion was adopted by a 9–8 vote. Members who supported carrying the concept forward said they wanted more work on verification and affordability before a full bill is filed; opponents said the current system and recent DMV progress reduced the need to pursue immediate legislative change.
The committee closed its executive session on House Bill 55 and asked Representative Coker to prepare the timely report requested by the chair.
