Texas Senate Passes Driver Education Bill

May 14, 2009

Drivers in Texas over the age of 18 but younger than 21 would have to take a driver’s education course before they could get a license, under a bill approved by the state Senate.

Currently in the state, an adult seeking a driver’s license for the first time must take a written and a road test, but not a driver’s education course.

SB 1317 author Senator Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio said that young drivers that haven’t taken an education course are more likely to have an accident than other groups, even 16 and 17 year-olds.

Wentworth said that these courses can be taken at more than 300 approved instruction companies, in person or on line. He said the course takes about six hours and costs around $35.

The original bill extended the requirement to drivers up to the age of 24, but the Senate voted in favor of an amendment by Houston Senator Dan Patrick to lower the requirement to drivers under 21.

SB 1317 has proceeded to the House where it will be considered by the committee on public safety.

Source: Texas Senate, www.senate.state.tx.us/

Topics Texas Personal Auto Training Development Politics

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Latest Comments

  • June 19, 2009 at 12:45 pm
    marc says:
    I taught Teen drivers education for years full-time for the University of North Texas and Sears. State law only required 7 hours behind the wheel. Parallel Parking was not a s... read more
  • May 15, 2009 at 12:25 pm
    wudchuck says:
    what are you thinking? most kids at that age (under 18) are getting cars or vehicles from their parents or grandparents. they are not disadvantaged. if the parents think th... read more
  • May 15, 2009 at 9:13 am
    Bill Dikant says:
    "Disadvantaged Kids" can not afford a driving course!, But they can AFFORD a Vehicle, Insure it, maintain it, Afford a sound system that can wake the dead??????.

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