Senate Bill 796: GED Required for Driver's License

Author:
Senator James Ritchie (R-District 13)

Summary:
This bill would expand the types of licenses requiring school attendance as a condition of issuance of the license. Though poorly drafted, it appears that all students in a public, private, or homeschool would have to be making satisfactory process toward a GED in order to be eligible for a driver's license. Since no student enrolled in any of these schools is in a GED program, it appears that no one could meet this requirement. A student in a curriculum leading to a high school diploma would not be eligible for a driver's license.

Even worse, all students, including those in homeschools, must be determined to be making "satisfactory progress" in the GED program before a license may be issued. Documentation of enrollment and progress must be submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles on a state-approved form. The "appropriate school official" must provide the completed form to the applicant. Presumably, this would be the parent in the case of a homeschool.

Status:

12/16/2003

This bill was pre-filed and placed in the Senate Committee on Transportation.

HSLDA's Position:
This bill should be opposed.

Other Resources

Bill Text