Panel and instructors back proposal to expand driver education to 18'20-year-olds; committee lays bill over

Senate File 4435, introduced by Senator Jaczynski, would require driver education (classroom plus behind-the-wheel training) for drivers up to age 20. Supporters said research shows 18'20-year-olds who skip driver education are overrepresented in crashes and cited an out-of-state study and recent policy changes elsewhere. Pete Hosmer (MIDCEA) and other driving-education representatives said the proposal would raise demand and that training capacity would need to scale, noting Ohio saw a roughly 30% increase in students after a similar change.

Members discussed fairness and funding. Senator Johnson Stewart and others raised concerns about low-income students who cannot afford private instruction; witnesses and sponsors said funding pilots (like SF2197) could work in tandem and that more work on funding and logistics is needed. The committee laid Senate File 4435 over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill and indicated further discussions about administration and capacity would continue.

What happens next: Sponsors and the committee said they would coordinate to consider equity, funding and implementation details to avoid creating new barriers for low-income or rural students.