Texas Law Lets Parents Decide on Teen’s Driver’s Licenses
The State of Texas is currently considering a law that would permit parents to administer their teenagers' driver's licenses tests rather than taking them to the DMV.
When you were an adolescent, would you have wanted your father and mother to be in charge of your driver's license exam? Most teenagers would reject the idea, but Texas is embracing the concept. But, if you were a parent and had the opportunity to teach your kids how to drive and assume the responsibility of administering their official driving tests, would you do it? If you answer is an emphatic yes, you might want to consider relocating to Texas.
At Service King Mt Moriah in Memphis, TN, we know that teenage drivers cause their fair share of accidents nationwide, so that’s why we’re interested when we found out about this proposed law.
The Texas state legislature recently proposed a bill (HB 409), that would offer Texas teenagers and their parents the option of bypassing the driver's license testing at a state location altogether and complete the driving exam at the family home.
Representative James White, a Republican member of the Texas House of Representatives, sponsored HB 409 in an effort to reduce long lines and chronic overcrowding at the Department of Public Services (DPS) facilities, which administers driving tests and issue licenses. Shortly after the bill’s introduction, White told Fox KTVU in Austin that the state already trusts parents to make a series of correct decisions for their teenage children. White believes that there isn't any extra risk in allowing parents to administer driving tests.
How this Law Works Presently
The driver's education procedure in the Lone Star State currently requires 33 hours of classroom time and 45 hours of hands-on driving experience, and those requirements would not change under this proposed bill. For many years, parents were allowed to administer the exam, but the bill was later repealed by lawmakers who thought that policy could cause problems down the road.
The stats about teenage driving in Texas are frightening:
- The total collision rate for 158,364 Texas student drivers was 13,492 or 8.52%
- From commercial driving schools (83,657 students) there were 7,310 collisions or 8.74% of those who graduated
- From public schools (6,447 students) there were 549 collisions or 8.51% of those who graduated
- From parent-taught students (68,260) there were 5,633 collisions or 8.25% of those who graduated
If HB 409 passes and eventually cuts down on accidents involving teenagers, will other states follow suit? Stay tuned, because only time will tell.
Service King Mt Moriah in Memphis, TN 38115
Sources: AOL Auto News and Dallas Morning News
Social