A NEW law targeting young drivers is coming to a major US state.
It includes a new, wider-reaching driver education program – forcing all motorists under 21 to complete a full education course to obtain a driver’s license.
A new law requires all drivers under 21 to complete full driver education courses[/caption]
Previously, drivers aged 18-20 could skip training or take a shorter course to get licensed[/caption]
Gov. DeWine’s push for safer roads stems from a personal tragedy involving his daughter[/caption]
According to the Columbus Dispatch, the change comes as the state’s governor expressed safety concerns – citing a high percentage of fatal crashes involving young adult drivers.
He believes that proper training makes drivers safer, regardless of their age.
Previously, drivers under 18 were required to complete a full driver’s education course, including 24 hours of classroom or online instruction, eight hours of driving with an instructor and 50 hours of driving with a parent or guardian – including 10 hours at night.
Furthermore, those aged 18 to 20 could skip formal driver’s education entirely if they passed a road test, or they could take a shorter four-hour course and abbreviated behind-the-wheel training.
The change, which is coming to the state of Ohio, now requires all drivers under 21 to complete a full driver’s education course, similar to the requirements for drivers under 18.
This includes classroom instruction, driving practice and holding a temporary permit.
Governor Mike DeWine spent months advocating for the change, saying new adult drivers need just as much training as teenagers.
In a news conference, he said: “We know that young people who go through driver’s training become safer drivers – safer for themselves and safer for everyone else on the road.
“And that’s not just true for young people. It’s true for adults.”
But the new law may present several challenges for young drivers, including added cost.
Full driver’s education courses can be expensive, which may discourage some young people from pursuing a license.
Indeed, it’s well known that many teenagers delay getting their licence to avoid the costs and requirements of driver’s education.
Previously, some adults aged 18 to 20 avoided these costs by skipping training or taking a shorter course.
What’s more, driving schools may not be readily available in rural areas and that makes it harder for individuals in those regions to meet the new requirements.
Another major stumbling block is the time it will now take.
Completing a full driver’s education course requires significant time, including classroom instruction, driving practice and holding a temporary permit for six months – something that may be inconvenient for young adults who need a licence quickly.
These changes hold deep personal significance for Governor DeWine.
In 1993, while serving as lieutenant governor, his 22-year-old daughter Becky tragically lost her life in a car accident.
She lost control of her vehicle on a wet roadway while navigating a curve and collided with an oncoming pickup truck.
The accident occurred just a few miles from the family‘s home in Cedarville, leaving a lasting impact on DeWine and shaping his commitment to improving road safety.
The change coincides with Florida implementing a similar requirement, which took effect on July 1.
How to prepare for the DMV
Here are some ways to streamline your DMV experience:
- Check the DMV website for your state to see if the task can be done completely online. Many processes can now be done online, like renewing a vehicle’s registration or changing an address. Otherwise, several processes can be started online and finished at an in-person location, like renewing a driver’s license.
- Schedule an appointment. While walk-ins are available at all locations, having an appointment time can help reduce frustrating wait times.
- Check the DMV’s website to ensure you have all the necessary forms for the task.
- Get there early. Since many people prefer to try and tackle simple tasks on their lunch breaks or days off, showing up early can mean you’re only one of a few.
- Eat before you go or bring a snack. Since wait times can exceed expectations, bring some form of sustenance.
- Be positive. The process is temporary.
