COLUMBUS, Ohio (February 24, 2024) – State Representatives Darrell Kick (R-Loudonville) and Roy Klopfenstein (R-Haviland) are pushing for modernized driver training through the introduction of new legislation.
Modernizing Driver Training with Technology:
The proposed legislation aims to utilize new technology tools to assist both parents and teenagers in two critical aspects of driver education:
- 50 hours of parent coaching: The proposed technology would monitor this practice by tracking completed hours, offering improvement suggestions, and assessing skill mastery.
- 8 hours of in-car driving evaluation: This legislation seeks to change the current law that restricts parents from providing the required 8 hours of in-car training. However, the proposed change allows parents to conduct this training by utilizing an approved electronic education device or application.
Key Points:
- This technology would be accessible on various devices, including smartphones and in-car computer systems.
- The goal is to make driver education more cost-effective for families by offering a more affordable alternative.
- The legislation emphasizes parental choice and safety by ensuring the Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains the authority to approve or deny any application based on safety concerns and conduct evaluations as needed.
Next Steps:
The proposed legislation currently awaits committee assignment, marking the first step in the legislative process.
