Springfield, IL – The Senate Transportation Committee agreed that it is
important for young drivers to spend more practice time behind the
wheel, unanimously moving legislation forward that strengthens the
Illinois Graduated Driver’s License program.
State Senator Dan Rutherford (R-Pontiac) is co-sponsor of House Bill
4768, which requires parents or guardians to spend 50 hours in the car
with their child, including 10 hours of night driving. The parent or
guardian must also provide written consent before their child can apply
for an Illinois Driver’s License. It’s
common sense: the more you practice at something, the better you will
become at it. That also applies to driving. The goal is to reduce or
prevent car accidents by making new drivers spend more time behind the
wheel with an experienced driver,”
Rutherford
explained. “The more time these young people spend driving, the more
confident they will become on the road. More practice will better equip
them to be on the road with other motorists.”
Currently, student drivers are only required to spend 25 hours driving
with their parent or guardian. Additionally, the parent or guardian is
required to sign a consent form before the student receives their
driving permit.
Rutherford said that if HB 4768 becomes law, Illinois would join 18 other states which require at least 50 hours with a parent or guardian in the car, including California, Florida, Michigan, and Ohio.
The legislation is currently awaiting review by the entire Senate; if
approved, HB 4768 will be sent to the Governor for final consideration.