Bill Analyses and Ratings
Bill Information: H0628 – Parent-Taught Driver Training Expansion
Bill Summary
House Bill 628 amends Idaho Code Section 49-307 to expand eligibility for parent-student on-road driver’s training. The bill removes the geographic restriction that previously limited parent-taught driving instruction to students living in rural school districts or districts that do not offer driver’s training courses. This change allows any eligible Idaho student to receive the in-car observation and behind-the-wheel instruction components of driver’s training from a qualifying parent or legal guardian, regardless of where they live.
The bill also eliminates the specific requirement that students complete classroom instruction through the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance online course. Instead, students may now use any online driver’s training course approved by the State Department of Education. All other requirements remain unchanged, including the 30 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours of in-car observation, 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, and the qualifications parents must meet to provide instruction (valid Idaho driver’s license with no suspensions, revocations, or cancellations in the previous two years).
Overall Assessment
This bill expands parental rights in education by allowing all Idaho families to choose parent-taught driver training, not just those in rural areas or districts without programs. Parents statewide gain the option to personally provide behind-the-wheel instruction to their teenage children while maintaining all safety requirements and standards. The change removes geographic discrimination that previously denied suburban and urban families the same educational choices available to rural families.
Rating Breakdown
ARTICLE I. RESPONSIBILITY IN GOVERNMENT (0)
The bill modifies driver training eligibility requirements by removing 55 words of restrictive language. It does not address government spending, taxation, fiscal policy, or constitutional obligations of government. The existing fee structure and fund allocations remain completely unchanged.
ARTICLE II. CITIZEN INVOLVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT (0)
This bill concerns driver's training permit requirements and parental instruction options. It has no connection to elections, voting rights, primary systems, or citizen participation in political processes.
ARTICLE III. EDUCATION (1)
The bill directly expands parental rights in education by deleting the restriction that limited parent-student on-road driver's training to rural districts or districts without programs. By removing the text "only if the parent or legal guardian and the student live in a rural school district as described in section 33-319, Idaho Code, or in a school district that does not offer a driver's training course," the bill allows all Idaho parents to exercise the right to personally educate their children in driving skills. This change also removes the mandate to use a specific state-run online program, instead allowing parents to choose from any approved online driver's training course.
ARTICLE IV. AGRICULTURE (0)
The bill addresses motor vehicle driver's training requirements and has no connection to agriculture, farming, ranching, water rights for agriculture, or the family farm unit.
ARTICLE V. WATER (0)
This bill concerns driver's training permits and instruction. It has no relationship to water rights, appropriation, inter-basin transfers, or water management policy.
ARTICLE VI. NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT (0)
The bill modifies driver's training eligibility and has no connection to natural resources, environmental policy, wilderness areas, or land stewardship.
ARTICLE VII. ENERGY (0)
This bill addresses driver education requirements and has no relationship to energy production, independence, hydroelectric power, or energy policy.
ARTICLE VIII. IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORIES (0)
The bill concerns driver's training permits and has no connection to the Idaho National Laboratory, nuclear research, or technology development.
ARTICLE IX. PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS (0)
This bill modifies driver's training requirements and has no relationship to private property rights, eminent domain, regulatory takings, or property development.
ARTICLE X. STATE AND FEDERAL LANDS (0)
The bill addresses driver education and has no connection to state or federal land management, ownership, or administration.
ARTICLE XI. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT (0)
This bill concerns motor vehicle driver's training and has no relationship to wildlife management, hunting, fishing, or predator control.
ARTICLE XII. ECONOMY (0)
The bill removes geographic restrictions on parent-taught driver training but does not directly address commerce, industry, small business regulation, or economic development. The existing fee structure and economic impacts of the driver training system remain unchanged.
ARTICLE XIII. HEALTH AND WELFARE (0)
This bill addresses driver's training requirements and has no connection to healthcare delivery, health insurance, patient rights, or welfare programs.
ARTICLE XIV. AMERICAN FAMILY (1)
The bill strengthens parental authority by removing geographic restrictions that previously prevented many parents from providing driver training to their children. By deleting the limitation to rural districts and districts without programs, the bill allows all Idaho parents to exercise direct responsibility for their children's driver education. This change reinforces the family as the basic unit of society by expanding parental control over a significant aspect of teenage development and education.
ARTICLE XV. OLDER AMERICANS (0)
This bill addresses driver's training for young people aged 14.5 to 18 years and has no connection to policies affecting older Americans or seniors.
ARTICLE XVI. LAW AND ORDER WITH JUSTICE (0)
While the bill references existing traffic violations and DUI provisions, it only modifies eligibility for parent-taught training. It does not change criminal justice policy, gun rights, sentencing, or law enforcement procedures.
ARTICLE XVII. NATIONAL DEFENSE – SECURING THE BORDER (0)
The bill concerns civilian driver's training and has no relationship to national defense, veterans, military installations, border security, or terrorism.
ARTICLE XVIII. ELECTION OF JUDGES AND IDAHO SUPREME COURT JUSTICES (0)
This bill addresses driver's training requirements and has no connection to judicial elections, court procedures, or constitutional interpretation.
ARTICLE XIX. RELIGIOUS LIBERTY (0)
The bill modifies driver's training eligibility and has no relationship to religious freedom, free exercise of religion, or conscience protections.