Texas House Bill HB3229

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the hours of instruction required for driver training.

Impact

The bill's enactment signifies a substantial shift in the standards for driver education in Texas. By increasing the required instructional hours, the legislation seeks to ensure that new drivers are better prepared to handle various driving conditions, particularly night driving, which is often more hazardous. Consequently, this bill aims to reduce the number of accidents involving inexperienced drivers by providing them with more comprehensive training before they attain their driver's licenses.

Summary

House Bill 3229 amends the Texas Education Code to revise the required hours of instruction for driver training courses. The bill requires that students complete 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and 7 hours of observation instruction under a licensed driver education instructor. Importantly, it also increases the total number of hours for behind-the-wheel instruction from 30 to 50 hours, ensuring that a larger portion of this training includes 10 hours of driving at night. The intent of this change is to enhance the training provided to new drivers in Texas, aiming to improve overall traffic safety.

Contention

While no significant points of contention were noted in the legislative discussions or voting history for HB3229, the increase in required instructional hours could be viewed as a potential burden on driving schools, which may need to adjust their curricula or operational schedules. However, proponents of the bill emphasize that the benefits of improved driver safety outweigh any administrative challenges that may arise from these new requirements.