OKLAHOMA CITY– An update to a bill passed by the Legislature last year will allow teenagers with agriculture responsibilities to take driver’s education classes at 13 and onehalf years of age.
The new guideline is in current Senate Bill 1766 authored by Sen. Chuck Hall (R-Perry), Vice Chair of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. In part, the measure states that a resident who is at least 13 and one-half years of age will be able to take a driver’s education course.
Clarification was needed after 2023’s House Bill 1962, authored by Rep. Carl Newton (R-Cherokee), was signed into law and allowed a process for farm kids to receive a special driving permit at age 14.
However, state statutes said the minimum age for driver’s education classes was 15 and one-half years of age.
On Thursday, May 30, SB 1766 was sent to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk for approval. Although the current legislative session has ended, the governor has 15 days from sine die adjournment to approve or veto bills.
“We’re still waiting to hear whether the 13-and-a-half-yearolds can come to driver’s ed or not,” said Kent Sexton, owner and operator of Southwest Driving School.
Even though the law said the farm kids could get the special permit at 14 years old, there was no avenue to train them. “Parents want the official training. I get phone calls every day asking about it. We’ve been waiting for something to change.”
Although the Farm Driving Permit does not require teens to take driver’s education, Sexton said the training is important because driving in the fields is different from driving on streets with other vehicles, stoplights and traffic lights. “Let’s not put them on the road without training,” he said.
Southwest Driving School has locations in Chickasha, Duncan and Lawton.
The Farm Driving Permit law that took effect Nov. 1, 2023, allowed teens aged 14 to 17 who were either living on a farm in Oklahoma or employed for compensation on a farm could apply for the permit which allows them to operate any Class D motor vehicle with restrictions, said guidelines on the Service Oklahoma website. An affidavit verifying that information is required when applying for the permit.
Restrictions for the age group include only driving to, from, or in conjunction with any farm job, employment or other farm-related work. If the teen resides on a farm, they can take the most direct route to or from work and school for school instruction only or they may drive at any time while accompanied by an adult (age 18+) sitting in the front passenger seat. The adult must hold a valid CDL or Class D license, the website said.
In addition, an applicant is required to complete the following:
• Successfully pass a written knowledge, vision and driving skills test;
• Provide either a parent or employer affidavit that indicates the applicant either lives or works on a farm; and submit an agricultural exemption permit issued by the Oklahoma Tax Commission; and
• Provide a certificate of completion from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation teen driver work zone and first responder safety course.
“Many children from rural communities begin working on their family farm at a very young age,” said Sen. Darcy Jech (R-Kingfisher), who was the principal Senate author of the 2023 bill. “By the time they are teenagers, they are well-versed in agricultural practices and ready to take on larger roles on the operation. The farm permits and licenses available under HB 1962 will aid these teens in their work on their own farms and ranches, as well as make it easier for them to work at other local operations,” he said in a legislative press release. Jech’s family has farmed in Oklahoma since statehood.