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Rep. Hirt presents bill to expand driver's education and set statewide guidelines
Summary
Representative Hirt told the Education Instruction subcommittee that House Bill 21-25 would direct the Tennessee Department of Education, with the Department of Safety, to promote and expand drivers education in public schools and to set required topics for any program that offers it. The bill lists required topics and sets an effective date of 07/01/2026.
Representative Hirt presented House Bill 21-25 to the Education Instruction subcommittee, saying the measure "directs the department, Tennessee Department of Education to promote and expand driver's education programs in public schools across the state." He told members the bill would require the Department, in collaboration with the Department of Safety, to develop clear guidelines for local districts and public charter schools that offer driver education courses and to ensure courses include instruction on safe driving practices, use of the Tennessee driver's license manual, distracted driving and driving under the influence. The sponsor said the act should take effect on 07/01/2026.
Representative Johnson asked whether the bill changes current practice in districts that already offer driver education, noting that some systems teach drivers ed and others do not. Representative Hirt replied that driver education is currently elective in many places, and the bill would specify certain topics that programs choosing to offer drivers education must cover. The transcript shows the chair then opened the vote, but a final tally or result for House Bill 21-25 is not recorded in the meeting transcript provided.
Why it matters: sponsors said the bill is intended to standardize and expand access to core safety topics in school-based driver education. The measure was presented to committee and discussion centered on whether it changes existing local practice; the transcript does not record a final committee result for this item.
