SALT LAKE CITY Two Utah legislators are promoting looser restrictions on teen drivers learner s permits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
HB18 will allow the learner s permit to be extended from 12 months to 18 months to allow more time for teens to meet their observation hours and other requirements.
The Senate Business and Labor Committee recommended the bill for approval Thursday, moving it to the full Senate. The House passed the bill Tuesday 45-28.
Bill sponsor Rep. Melissa Ballard, R-North Salt Lake, has had personal experience with the original 12-month restriction with her 15-year-old daughter during the pandemic. She drove all year. She worked really hard. Her birthday came right as COVID was hitting, so she could not get her driver s license the day, or even before, before her permit expired. So she had to reapply for another permit, and the school district was not able to finish giving her any of her driving instruction, Ballard said.