House approves lowering driver's permit age to 15
Teenagers could get their learning driver's permit at age 15 instead of 15 1/2 under a bill that passed the House Wednesday.
HB363 passed 47-25. Sponsoring Rep. John Dougall, R-Highland, said his bill will require that teens drive a full year with their parents or some other responsible adult before "being turned loose" to drive the roads alone.
Several House members opposed the change, however, saying that recent studies show that teenagers' brains are not fully developed emotionally, and it is a mistake to let them drive even earlier — even with their parents.
Dougall said contrary to some reports, insurance companies will not raise their rates either on all Utahns or on teenage drivers if the learning age is dropped to 15.
