BLEDSOE DRIVES RUDY’S HB 15 TO FINAL PASSAGE
Bill lowers driver’s instruction permit age to 15
FRANKFORT, KY (March 11, 2025)—House Bill (HB) 15, carried in the Senate by Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, and sponsored by House Majority Floor Leader Steven Rudy, R-Paducah, is set for final passage after clearing the Senate. The legislation lowers the minimum age for obtaining a driver’s instruction permit from 16 to 15 to align Kentucky’s law more closely with neighboring states.
Under current law, Kentucky teens can only apply for a driver’s instruction permit at age 16. HB 15 reduces that age to 15 while maintaining key safety requirements. Permit holders must hold their permit for at least 180 days before applying for an intermediate license, which must also be retained for 180 days with a completed driver training course before obtaining a full operator’s license.
A minor Senate revision retains the existing requirement that individuals be at least 17 years old before qualifying for a full, unrestricted license.
“As parents of teenagers, Rep. Rudy and I understand the need to prepare young drivers with hands-on experience,” Bledsoe said. “By allowing 15-year-olds to obtain a permit, we give them more time to develop safe driving habits before earning full privileges. I appreciate Rep. Rudy’s attention to this and I’m pleased I could carry it for him in the Senate.”
Aside from Arkansas, Kentucky is one of the last southern states that does not allow 15-year-olds to apply for a driver’s permit. Enactment of the measure would give teens time to improve their driving skills and pursue employment and other professional growth opportunities.
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Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, represents the 12th Senate District, including Boyle, Mercer, and Woodford Counties and part of Fayette County. She serves as vice chair of both the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee and the Senate Families and Children Committee. Additionally, Bledsoe is an ex officio member of various budget review subcommittees, including Health and Family Services; Education; Justice; General Government and Economic Development; and Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. She co-chairs the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity statutory committee and is a member of the Licensing and Occupations Committee, the State and Local Government Committee, and the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight statutory committee. In 2024, she co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Task Force and served on the 2024-26 Budget Preparation and Submission statutory committee.
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