[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6340247,"mediaKeyId","2259736-7b6c6c75d0f0d4ab1eb2a3a7de7561ff","parentId",2259736,"title","Panel advances bill allowing third-party driver's license renewals in Kentucky","audioSeconds",623,"startMs",624000,"endMs",1247000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2259736-7b6c6c75d0f0d4ab1eb2a3a7de7561ff&start=624&end=1247","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2259736-7b6c6c75d0f0d4ab1eb2a3a7de7561ff/thumbnail_624000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6340247/Kentucky/Panel-advances-bill-allowing-third-party-drivers-license-renewals-in-Kentucky","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340247-53b21b1184bdf6584480d4cfba8d5ec2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007562&Signature=MxWczbXPyO-jIsYkpyjAyQxeBWWmV573t71p1jSOMIYbbe9qD9Kw1SSov7BoJdOx8QZ9JenVfIqC2290Doig6d6hLN9YTswcHoNg0PN2~LyrbkWYLspbgCUmmNdQZ7gvGJpHDb57Ou6R3PrPBsRg2yjkx5Hj1IzEv1WvUQmcobO~RGj60jSHb5SAZi2dbAmt2lV79Rq8qYWnZ3QuM~JAOXDoLQy799~BMPPr7rnbCIdyVmnlgA4R7F0gO6RI6Ec273qQbQJBgFCih39iwSVOUwwIWfpnnkSiiP-AUoOrCnuwuPJCkFn-RvkI877GMZXPpCx32b11~9d8Stm6mM-hog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","KY LRC Committee Meetings","date","2025-02-11T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Kevin Jackson introduced House Bill 161 to the House Transportation Committee, saying the measure would permit third-party entities to issue driver’s license renewals — not initial licenses — if approved by the Transportation Cabinet. \"Allowing third party entities to issue driver's license renewals will help streamline the process and make it more accessible for all Kentuckians,\" Jackson said during his presentation.

Why it matters: Jackson said the bill aims to address reduced local access to renewal services and long waits at regional centers. He told the committee that, since 2022, Kentucky has restructured locations for driver's license services and that third-party renewals are already permitted in about 28 states.

Committee questions focused on fees, Real ID renewals and vision testing. Representative Elliott asked about the third-party fee; Jackson said a survey of other states showed an average surcharge of about $2 to $5 more than a regional center. Representative Layman asked whether Real ID renewals would be covered; Jackson and staff indicated renewals generally would be eligible, but that initial Real ID issuance would not be handled by third parties. Jackson also said third-party locations would need the same refraction (vision) equipment used at regional centers: \"They would have to have the refraction machine in these locations just like they would at the 34 driver's license centers,\" Jackson said.

Details and committee outcome: Jackson said third-party providers could include businesses, insurance offices or government agencies that apply and receive approval from the Transportation Cabinet. He described benefits observed in other states: extended service hours, shorter waits and improved ADA access. The committee voted and reported House Bill 161 with a favorable recommendation to the House floor.

What happens next: The committee chair announced that \"House bill 161 is reported with favorable expression. Same should show on the House floor.\" Any implementation of third-party renewals would require Cabinet approval and compliance with equipment and identification requirements discussed in the committee.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Standing Committee on Transportation (2-11-25)","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 161, sponsored by Representative Kevin Jackson, would allow third-party entities approved by the Transportation Cabinet to process driver's license renewals (not initial licenses); the committee reported it favorably after members asked about fees, Real ID and vision testing requirements.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature KY, Kentucky","taxId",77680,"location","Kentucky","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6340253,"House Transportation panel backs lowering Kentucky learner-permit age to 15",337,249000,586000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2259736-7b6c6c75d0f0d4ab1eb2a3a7de7561ff&start=249&end=586","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2259736-7b6c6c75d0f0d4ab1eb2a3a7de7561ff/thumbnail_249000.jpg","/articles/6340253/Kentucky/House-Transportation-panel-backs-lowering-Kentucky-learner-permit-age-to-15","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6340253-2f581f15d964da9b8fa873d61517f0b2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771007562&Signature=ajnht1USQdrX5zKoSlnp5LtNXJ3zAVwjAd0e1DqdHh6VecH6jJCpKSK1HZd6u25pmp6Ao6uaMNSDXBkCMuTRcqGTKG6c3wVXBB7v0zrHgy56tfFvu4x6vVczvTxFep9eQ5uJnCCVFlx5MWTk8JSkdw2fXg3mqDghFvDfh~Uz6Wno1SZjf~LRYjMaxKkWhcUo7ihXwQ0jRnMNQbDKm88BzCxKH7HEH4M~84jm2ydjckmYRmXPKELgukbn01MU0Ryt8wNrPawAuyXoM30QY9fiCibWlXgcLsyjEOgb7kBHe3cnW6cdWeYu68idIAvnp466HTOW9cbsLUohxhILHWTZWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Rudy, sponsor of House Bill 15, told the Kentucky House Transportation Committee the bill would lower the age to obtain a learner's permit from the state’s current threshold to 15, bringing Kentucky in line with surrounding states. \"This bill will intend to right a wrong. The youth of Kentucky deserve, want, and expect this,\" Representative Rudy said during the committee’s first meeting of the 2025 session.

The measure drew brief discussion and several members explained their votes before the roll call. Representative Dawson described a personal encounter that helped shape his support: he said he had seven-grade girls in his car who reacted enthusiastically when he told them about the proposal. \"I'm a proud yes,\" Dawson said. After debate and explanation of votes, the committee reported the bill with a favorable recommendation to the House floor.

Why it matters: Sponsors said Kentucky is an outlier on permit age. Representative Rudy told the committee the state previously issued permits tied to a 16th-birthday schedule but that a 1996 change extended the wait to six months; this bill would again permit learners at age 15. Proponents said the change gives parents and students an option for earlier supervised driving practice and aligns Kentucky with neighboring states.

Details and committee discussion: Representative Rudy introduced Representative Jason Petrie as the primary cosponsor and Brooks Clark Young as an advocate present for the bill. Rudy recounted the state’s historical rule, saying that before 1996 motorists were eligible for a permit at 16 and that a 1996 bill sponsored by then-Representative Bolling extended the post-permit interval to six months. He said the proposed change is intended to allow more training time for young drivers if parents choose it.

Committee members asked few substantive policy questions during the presentation. Several members then offered brief explanations when the roll was called. Representative Lehman and Representative Tackett Lafferty recorded \"pass\" when voting; multiple other members recorded \"yes.\" No \"no\" votes were recorded in the committee transcript for this item. The committee chair announced that \"House Bill 15 is reported with favorable expression, and the same should show on the floor.\"

What happens next: The committee recorded a favorable report to the House floor; any further changes or final action will appear in subsequent House proceedings.","The House Transportation Committee voted to report House Bill 15 with a favorable recommendation to the House floor after sponsors said the bill would align Kentucky with surrounding states and give parents choice on early driver training.","actionData","errors"]

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Panel advances bill allowing third-party driver's license renewals in Kentucky

House Transportation panel backs lowering Kentucky learner-permit age to 15