VirginiaHB13522026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Driver education; dangers of reckless driving, including driving at excessive speeds.

Sponsored By: Laura Jane Cohen (Democratic)

Became Law

Summary

Driver education; dangers of reckless driving, including driving at excessive speeds. Requires the driver education program established by the Board of Education to emphasize the dangers of reckless driving, including driving at excessive speeds, among other topics. The bill requires the Department of Education, no later than the start of the 2026-2027 school year, to review and update the Curriculum and Administrative Guide for Driver Education in Virginia and any other instructional resources for the Driver Education Standards of Learning to place greater emphasis on the dangers of reckless driving, including driving at excessive speeds, in the behind-the-wheel training component, the classroom training component, and the parent/student component by including updated interviews with individuals who have lost family members due to speeding by teen drivers and encouraging partnerships with local police departments or sheriff's offices to provide students with real world examples of the dangers of driving at excessive speeds.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

Driver ed stresses reckless driving dangers

The law expands what driver education must teach. Schools must cover topics like alcohol and drug risks, distracted and reckless driving, speeding, traffic stops, motorcycle awareness, organ donation, and fuel‑efficient driving. By the start of the 2026–2027 school year, the Department of Education updates the curriculum to put more focus on reckless driving and excessive speed. The parent session must also stress parents’ roles, teen driving limits, and dangers like drunk, distracted, and high‑speed driving. Safety and health agencies help develop this instruction.

More staff options and teaching materials

The Board of Education can set rules to let paraprofessionals serve as teaching assistants in driver education. Districts are not required to hire them. The Board must also prepare and share driver education materials to help schools teach students.

More ways to finish driver education

The Board approves quality correspondence courses for the classroom part of driver education. After finishing an approved classroom course, students can do behind‑the‑wheel training at a public school if space exists and they pay the fee, at a DMV‑licensed driving school, or, for eligible homeschoolers, through a Board‑approved parent‑led course. Public schools are not required to provide behind‑the‑wheel training to nonpublic students.

Safer lessons and required practice miles

First behind‑the‑wheel lessons take place off public highways when possible. If that is not practical, the highways official must pick a nearby road, post signs, and remove them when training ends. Non‑training cars must stay at 25 mph or less between those signs; speeding there is a Class 4 misdemeanor. Programs must also include a minimum number of miles of actual driving.

State funds only for compliant programs

Only school divisions that follow the standardized driver education program, Board rules, and § 46.2‑335 can receive state driver education funds. Divisions that do not comply can lose this funding. That can reduce access or raise out‑of‑pocket costs for families in those districts.

Fees and waivers for driving practice

Local school boards may charge a per‑student fee for behind‑the‑wheel training, with Board of Education approval. The Board can also allow a surcharge if local costs are higher than state funding. Each local board can waive some or all of the fee or surcharge for students who cannot pay. Fee amounts and waiver rules are set locally.

Rules for 90 minute parent session

Driver education includes a 90‑minute parent and student session. Students who are 18 or older, emancipated, or unaccompanied minors not in a parent’s custody do not have to attend. In Planning District 8, parents must attend in person. Outside Planning District 8, schools may offer it in person or online, and parent attendance is encouraged but not required. School boards must make this session available to students and parents who meet Virginia’s school attendance law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Laura Jane Cohen

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 219 • No: 2

Senate vote 3/9/2026

Passed Senate Block Vote

Yes: 40 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading)

Yes: 39 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/6/2026

Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote 3/5/2026

Reported from Education and Health

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote 2/17/2026

Read third time and passed House

Yes: 95 • No: 1

House vote 2/11/2026

Reported from Education

Yes: 20 • No: 1

House vote 2/10/2026

Subcommittee recommends reporting

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0307)

    4/6/2026Governor
  2. Approved by Governor-Chapter 307 (effective 7/1/2026)

    4/6/2026Governor
  3. Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026

    3/25/2026Governor
  4. Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 25, 2026

    3/25/2026House
  5. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1352)

    3/16/2026House
  6. Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB1352ER)

    3/14/2026House
  7. Enrolled

    3/14/2026House
  8. Signed by President

    3/14/2026Senate
  9. Signed by Speaker

    3/14/2026House
  10. Passed Senate Block Vote (40-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/9/2026Senate
  11. Read third time

    3/9/2026Senate
  12. Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)

    3/6/2026Senate
  13. Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (39-Y 0-N 0-A)

    3/6/2026Senate
  14. Rules suspended

    3/6/2026Senate
  15. Reported from Education and Health (15-Y 0-N)

    3/5/2026Senate
  16. Assigned Education sub: Public Education

    2/26/2026Senate
  17. Referred to Committee on Education and Health

    2/18/2026Senate
  18. Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)

    2/18/2026Senate
  19. Read third time and passed House (95-Y 1-N 0-A)

    2/17/2026House
  20. Read second time and engrossed

    2/16/2026House
  21. Read first time

    2/13/2026House
  22. Reported from Education (20-Y 1-N)

    2/11/2026House
  23. Subcommittee recommends reporting (10-Y 0-N)

    2/10/2026House
  24. Assigned HED sub: K-12 Subcommittee

    2/5/2026House
  25. Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB1352)

    2/4/2026House

Bill Text

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