Teen Driving Bill Promotes Safety and Employment

29 September 1998

    WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 -- The National Automobile Dealers
Association today praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a bill
promoting workplace safety while increasing employment opportunities for
teenagers. The Drive for Teen Employment Act (H.R. 2327) passed without
controversy and with broad bipartisan support.
    "The Drive for Teen Employment Act benefits young people by creating
low-risk, supervised settings for teenagers who drive on the job," said NADA
Chairman Paul Holloway. "This bill helps auto dealers provide valuable career
opportunities for young people and will give them a headstart toward a
rewarding career in the auto industry."
    The legislation became necessary after the U.S. Department of Labor issued
a narrower interpretation of their own existing regulation, limiting teen
driving to emergency situations and essentially prohibiting all on-the-job
driving by licensed teenagers. As a result, more than 60 dealers in Washington
state were fined a total of more than $200,000. The Labor Department's action
severely hindered vocational education programs established by dealers.
    Before the crackdown by the Department of Labor, automobile dealerships
routinely hired teenagers through vocational programs providing training for
automotive careers. As part of their entry-level responsibilities, teen
employees occasionally drive new vehicles on public roads to gas stations or
to other dealership locations.
    The new rule will allow licensed 17-year-old employees to drive for up to
20 percent of a work week or up to one-third of any work day. Additionally,
teens would complete a driver education program and be required to wear safety
belts at all times. The driving would be allowed within a 30-mile radius from
their place of employment.
    The National Automobile Dealers Association represents more than 19,600
franchised new-car and truck dealers holding nearly 40,000 separate
franchises, domestic and import.