Statewide Iowa — A new law that went into effect Thursday lets the parents of teenagers certify they’ve taught their child to drive, so the teen can take the tests to get a driver’s license.
Homeschooling parents like Republican Representative Joel Fry of Osceola have had this authority for the past decade and this extends it to all Iowa parents.
Under previous law, teenagers in public and private schools had to pass a driver’s ed class in their school or a commercial driving school or complete the DOT’s online course before taking the written and driving tests for a driver’s license. Any Iowa parent with a valid driver’s license can now certify they’ve covered that material and completed behind the wheel training with their child.
Many Democrats raised concerns. Senator Claire Celsi a Democrat from Des Moines, says a similar law has been in place in Oregon and a four year study found 91 percent of young Oregon drivers in accidents were teenagers who had not completed a standard driver’s ed class.
Republican Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill in May, but did not issue a public statement about the new law. Iowa now joins Nebraska and seven other states in having a parent-led driver’s ed law.
