Bill filed for mandatory driver’s ed

A legislative proposal would require Missouri high school students to complete driver’s education prior to graduation.

House Bill 2195 filed by state Rep. Rodger Reedy, R-Windsor, calls for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to implement the Missouri Integrated Safe Driving Program and develop sample lesson plans for students in grade 9-12.

If signed into law, the requirement would start with the 2027-28 year and integrate lessons into existing courses. Completion of a standalone course would not be required.

Under Reedy’s proposal, students would be taught the requirements for obtaining a driver’s license or instruction permit. A similar proposal, Senate Bill 1567, was filed by state Sen. Jamie Burger, R-Benton. 

The lessons would emphasize skills for the safe operation of vehicles, the dangers of distracted driving and other risky behavior, and how to interact with law enforcement during a traffic stop. 

“We strongly support the implementation of driver’s education courses as part of the required curriculum in all schools across our state,” wrote Christine Kent, president of the Missouri PTA, in Feb. 25 testimony to the Elementary and Secondary Education Committee. “The coursework would ensure that any young driver would have had to satisfactorily pass the course to receive their license.”

Kent said Missouri is one of only 13 states that do not require driver’s education.

“It is unfortunate that in 2026 we are still debating this issue,” she wrote. “By enacting this piece of legislation, Missouri will begin to ensure the safety of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, with each new driver knowing and understanding the rules of the road.”

David Kunce, public affairs specialist for AAA Missouri, said the program is a step in the right direction. 

“Young drivers, age 16-20, across the state account for just 6% of licensed drivers yet in 2023, they accounted for 15% of the fatal crashes,” Kunce said in Feb. 25 testimony to the committee. “What’s more, Missouri’s young driver crash involvement rate has been climbing steadily over the last five years and it far exceeds the rate of most neighboring states.”

Opposition to the proposal was limited during the hearing, and the legislation has been referred to the rules committee in the House. The Springfield Business Journal left a message seeking comment with Reedy.

The fiscal note attached to the legislative proposal indicated no state funding will be required to launch. This is not the first year legislation to require driver’s education has been proposed. 

Reedy’s proposal does not require students to physically operate a vehicle as part of the training. However, districts can elect to provide training beyond what is outlined in the proposal.

Some area districts, including Bolivar, offer driver’s education, at least in the summer. 

Springfield Public Schools’ Launch Virtual Learning program – which partners with more than 400 districts across the state – offers driver’s education as an elective course for grades 9-12. 

A review of Launch’s driver’s education syllabus showed it starts with the driver’s license law and exam, covers parking and highway driving, safety tips, and requirements such as titling, registration, insurance and safety inspections.