LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Melanie Perez, 16, took some time out of her Sunday to prepare for her upcoming driver’s license test.
“I’m just a little nervous to see who’s going to sit in the car with me and how I’m going to present myself to them,” Perez said.
There’s also some excitement around the idea of being more independent, however. Perez has her driver’s permit.
“I got it a couple months after I turned 16,” she said.
House Bill 15 would allow for 15-year-olds to get a driver’s permit. It was passed by the Kentucky Senate and House and has been delivered to Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Ky.
“The youth of Kentucky deserve, want and expect this,” said House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, R-Paducah, who is the bill's main sponsor.
While parents in urban areas may be able to depend on ride-sharing apps for their children, Rudy said it may help out families in rural areas.
“Those kids, particularly in rural Kentucky, that don't have those third-party ride platforms," Rudy said. "I think this is going to be a good experience for them."
Perez, on the other hand, expressed safety concerns with allowing younger people behind the wheel.
“In my high school, specifically, all of the freshmen and sophomores are a lot more irresponsible than they should be,” Perez said. “They act like they’re still in middle school.”
She said she worries about a potential increase in accidents. Car crashes are the leading cause of death for 15 to 20-year-olds, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.
HB 15 was delivered to Beshear last week. It will go into effect immediately if he signs the bill.
