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Committee holds parent‑taught driver‑education bill after split testimony
Summary
After extended testimony from parents, a youth sponsor and industry representatives, the committee voted to hold HB464, which would allow parents to provide six hours of on‑road driver training under an approved curriculum; members cited safety, monitoring and industry impact concerns.
Representative Nicholeen P. Peck presented House Bill 464, a proposal to permit parents to provide the six hours of required on‑road driver training under an approved parent‑taught program, with curriculum and a 30‑hour training module supplied by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). "Parents already have to do 40 hours of driving time with their students anyhow," Peck told the committee, framing the bill as an additional option for families who lack access to school or private programs.
Students and parents testified in favor. Kiara Pointer, a high‑school student who co‑developed the idea with the sponsor, said parent instruction would help families who cannot afford private classes or whose schedules make school programs impractical. A 15‑year‑old homeschool student said paying $400 for private instruction is a barrier.
Drivers‑ed instructors, road testers and school officials warned of public‑safety concerns. Audrey Yuri of USBE said instructors currently require a professional educator license and extensive practicum and training; road testers and private school representatives said parents lack the monitoring, minimum‑standards oversight and first‑aid/CPR requirements that instructors meet. Several witnesses highlighted research showing states without mandatory driver's education can have higher teen crash rates.
Committee debate focused on balancing access and safety. Senator Winterton and others emphasized safeguards and minimum standards; Senator Reby urged deference to professional training, citing the safety risks of inexperienced instructors. Representative Peck noted the bill preserves other options (school and third‑party providers) and that the parent‑taught model is intended for a subset of families.
Senator Ibsen offered and the committee accepted a substitute motion to hold the bill. The motion passed with a 6–1 vote (Senator Wilson recorded as nay). The committee flagged concerns for future work on certification, monitoring, and potential impacts on driving‑school businesses.
