March 1st new educational requirements went in effect for young new drivers in Texas. An 18 to 24 year old new driver must now take a 6 hour driver safety course before they will be issued a drivers license.
The new driver's additional education rules were enacted in Texas to fill a loop hole for new drivers who have not had prior class room car accident safety training. Additionally, the new law serves to protect young people and the public by raising safety awareness and reducing auto accidents in Texas.
Younger drivers are involved in a fairly high number (almost 20 percent) of Houston car accidents.
For teens who are younger than 18, Texas requires completion of the drivers education class which includes 32 class room hours and 7 hours behind the wheel.
Public safety personnel are not sure how many new drivers the new law would impact, but feel that any class room driver safety training is a good thing.
A segment of new Texas drivers have waited past 18 to get their first license, thus avoiding the 32-hour driver safety class youngest Texas drivers takes.
