A new bill that allows 15-year-olds to get their driver’s permit has been signed. House Bill 15 was signed by the Kentucky Governor, Andy Beshear, on the 25th of March, 2025. This bill states that 15-year-olds can now get their driver’s permit instead of waiting until they are 16. This law also states that once a student turns 16 and they have had their permit for 6 months, they can get their intermediate. This law has caused controversy because of opposing opinions on the law, such as that 15-year-olds are too young or immature to be able to drive or should get on the road faster for convenience.
A police officer here at Lafayette High School, Todd Mays, said, “It worries me.” Later in the interview, he said he has a 15-year-old son, stating, “There is no way I would allow him to drive a car.” His experience with his children has shown him that not all students are mature enough to make decisions on the road. While he agrees that this would not pertain to every 15-year-old, that’s just been his experience with his children.
The Times asked a 14-year-old freshman at Lafayette High School, Sophie Lee, how she felt about the new law, and she said, “…as long as [they] have the proper education and as long as people can drive and they’re not being crazy.” Some fear 15-year-olds won’t be educated enough about the roads or are not mature enough to drive a car.
Lafayette sophomore Kevin Saldana says, “They should’ve done this a year ago because I would’ve applied for it.” He would have used this to his advantage, proving that some would find this extremely helpful. High schoolers have very busy schedules and getting a start to being able to drive would help them out.
The new law has stirred up different opinions on whether 15-year-olds should be able to drive. Some think that 15-year-olds aren’t mature enough or educated enough about driving to be on the roads, while others think getting a permit at 15 years old is a good idea. No matter your opinion, 15 year olds have been allowed to drive and will be on the roads in no time.
