Bill Would Lower Driver's Permit Age To 15 1/2
BOSTON (CBS) - Would more driving time make better drivers?
Some people think so, including a high school history class which has convinced a local state legislator to file a bill that would lower the age to get a permit.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karen Twomey reports
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Right now under state law, teens can get a permit at age 16. That allows them to drive with parents and guardians. Six months later at 16-and-a-half, they can earn a license.
But State Representative Steven Levy of Marlborough is proposing lowering the permit age to 15-and-a-half.
The idea came from his daughter's 10th grade history class at Plymouth North High School.
"They're not looking to change the age, the actually licensing age, but give them six months earlier to get the permit and really give them a year to gain the required experience," Levy told WBZ NewsRadio 1030.
WBZ-TV's Peg Rusconi reports.
The bill would also increase required driving time during that period from 18 to 30 hours in drivers' education and 12 to 24 hours on the road at home.
"Their general argument is that it's not so much your age, it is the experience you have driving that makes you a good driver," Levy said.
"I think it's a sound and reasonable request to allow them to get their permit a little earlier and really require that students have more on-road experience. "
WBZ's Karen Twomey contributed to this report.
