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NADA Praises Bill Promoting Teen Employment and Safety

14 October 1998

NADA Praises Bill Promoting Teen Employment and Safety

    WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 -- The National Automobile Dealer
Association applauded Congress for passing the Drive for Teen Employment Act
today.  The legislation preserves youth employment programs while promoting
safe driving for teens.
    "The bill," said NADA Chairman Paul Holloway, "opens doors for young
people.  This legislation will give responsible young adults the opportunity
to learn valuable skills and pursue well-paying futures in the auto industry."
    A bid to restore on-the-job driving privileges for teens was started after
the Department of Labor (DOL) narrowly interpreted its own existing
regulation, which greatly reduced the circumstances in which licensed
teenagers could drive as part of their jobs.  The DOL's action placed
vocational education programs established by dealers at risk.  Additionally,
the DOL levied fines totaling more than $200,000 against nearly 60 dealers in
Washington state.
    Before the DOL's overzealous enforcement action, 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 bill passed by Congress reinstates work-related driving privileges for
licensed 17 year-old employees.  Teen employees may drive for up to 20 percent
of a work week or up to one-third of any work day.  Eligible teens, after
completing a driver-education program, would be allowed to drive within a
30-mile radius of 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.