Missouri Senate Bill SB1113

Missouri 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/22
• Refer: 3/7/22

Caption

Enacts provisions relating to driver's education and training

Impact

With the implementation of SB1113, every applicant for a driver's license or intermediate driver's license who has never held a license will be required to successfully complete an approved driver's education program. This program aims to enhance road safety by ensuring that new drivers have undergone proper training before receiving their licenses. The bill also establishes a Driver's Education Training Fund to support these programs financially, ensuring that adequate resources are allocated to maintain high education standards.

Summary

Senate Bill 1113 enacts several provisions related to mandatory driver's education and training in Missouri. The bill mandates that each public high school and charter high school must offer a driver's education course that grants students half a unit of credit. This course is designed to follow the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association's standards and will be significant for students who complete it as they will receive a certificate of completion necessary for later licensing requirements.

Contention

While the bill's intent is largely to ensure safer road usage through education, there may be some contention concerning the requirement's expansion, especially regarding funding and accessibility. Critics may argue about the implications of mandatory courses and their impact on those unable to afford them. Ensuring that the education programs are accessible to all students is vital to prevent disparities based on financial status, which could affect equitable access to driver education.