Driver’s license rules changing for young applicants
Last Modified: Thursday, July 26, 2012 10:14 AM
By Johnathan Manning / American Press
Beginning Aug. 1, 17-year-old applicants for a Louisiana driver’s license will be required to take 38 hours of driver’s education — 30 hours of class time and eight hours of instructed driving.
Now, 17-year-olds can attend a six-hour pre-licensing course or take 38 hours of driver’s education; 15- and 16-year-olds must take 38 hours.
The new legislation, passed in the spring, will also require driver’s license applicants 18 years and older to have eight hours of instructed driving and six hours of driver’s education in the classroom.
“Younger drivers are involved in a disproportionate number of crashes,” said state police Sgt. James Anderson. “Anything we can do to help train these drivers is a good thing.”
Anderson said driver education has evolved to include distracted driving — such as texting while driving.
“This makes it safer for teenage drivers, and it makes it safer for all drivers,” he said. “And hopefully, this will bring our insurance rates down.”
Jerry Summers, a former police officer who now runs Summers Driving Academy, said the increased cost would be from about $40 for the six-hour pre-licensing course to the $290 to $500 various schools charge for the 38 hours of driver’s education.
Summers strongly believes it is worth the cost — so strongly that he said refused to give the six-hour course to 17-year-olds because it didn’t require any time behind the wheel.
“I wasn’t going to be responsible for them killing themselves or killing someone else,” he said. “They need that training.”
Posted By: a teenagers mom On: 7/25/2012
Title: MO MONEY!
Not all teenagers are irresponsible......its the parents responsibility to know if their child is responsible enough knowing the possibilities.....their are plenty adults who have accidents n their licenses revoked shucks,just for being in a hurry.........I understand the rationale,but to mandate it,really!....cost of classes extra insurance coverage,what about multiples......bottom line,like all other things these days,
is money!!....I have a teenage driver,n 2 coming up....looks like around every corner someone is taking money from somewhere,another asking for money.....jeez.......I sick n tired of hire ups using kids for a purpose,when all responsibility should start as soon as they get understanding n b informed....IN SCHOOLS MAYBE,but that's so poor babies barely getting an education bc of Higher Ups doing things FOR THE KIDS...yea,right
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