October 22, 2025

Tennessee Bill Proposes Lowering School Bus Driver Age

Tennessee, October 22, 2025

News Summary

A new bill in Tennessee aims to reduce the minimum age for obtaining a school bus driver endorsement from 25 to 21 years, addressing a significant bus driver shortage. Supporters argue it would help school districts, while concerns about safety and driver maturity echo the 2016 Woodmore bus crash tragedy. Lawmakers are also considering amending the minimum age to 23. Transportation officials stress the importance of proper training for younger drivers, as House Bill 84 advances through the state legislature.

Nashville, Tennessee

A new bill proposed in the Tennessee state legislature aims to lower the minimum age for obtaining a school bus driver endorsement from 25 to 21 years old. This change is being considered amid an ongoing shortage of school bus drivers across the state, which has left many school districts struggling to find qualified personnel for this essential role.

The current age requirement was enacted in response to the tragic 2016 Woodmore bus crash in Chattanooga, where six students lost their lives due to the negligent behavior of their driver. Since then, the state has maintained one of the strictest minimum age requirements for school bus drivers in the nation. Representative Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna) introduced House Bill 84, arguing that the strict limit contributes to the ongoing shortage of drivers and impedes the ability of school districts to ensure that children have safe transportation to and from school.

Currently, lawmakers are considering amending the proposed age requirement from 21 to 23 years old as a compromise between safety concerns and the need for more drivers. The initial push to allow younger drivers traces back to the Woodmore crash, which involved a 24-year-old driver, Johnthony Walker, who was found guilty of reckless driving leading to the deaths of the students. The memory of this incident remains fresh in the minds of many community members, inciting concern about the implications of hiring younger drivers.

A study by the Tennessee Department of Safety revealed that the highest percentage of school bus crashes occurred among drivers aged 56 to 60 from 2020 to 2024, prompting debate over whether lowering the minimum driving age would genuinely impact safety positively. Supporters of the age change believe that younger drivers can be effective if given the proper training and safeguards. However, opponents of the bill express concerns regarding the maturity levels of younger individuals and their ability to make sound judgments in high-pressure situations.

Transportation officials have acknowledged the necessity of considering younger drivers but emphasize the importance of thorough training and careful judgment in hiring decisions. House Bill 84 has progressed through the state legislature, passing both a transportation subcommittee and the full transportation committee with votes of 6-3 and 11-7, respectively. If approved by the legislature, younger drivers could be seen behind the wheel of Tennessee school buses for the first time in nearly a decade.

The proposed changes are viewed as a vital step towards addressing the ongoing driver shortages that school districts are experiencing across Tennessee. Community members remain divided on the issue, as they weigh the potential benefit of having more drivers against the need for safety and maturity on the roads.

FAQ

What is the proposed bill regarding school bus driver age in Tennessee?

A new bill proposed in the Tennessee state legislature aims to lower the minimum age for obtaining a school bus driver endorsement from 25 to 21 years old.

Why was the current age requirement enacted?

The current age requirement was enacted in response to the tragic 2016 Woodmore bus crash, in which six students were killed.

What are the current discussions regarding the proposed bill?

Lawmakers are considering amending the proposed age requirement to 23 instead of 21.

What safety concerns have been raised regarding younger drivers?

Opponents worry about maturity levels and safety, referencing the memory of the Woodmore crash.

What have lawmakers stated about the training and hiring of younger drivers?

Transportation officials have stated that while they recognize the need for younger drivers, they emphasize the importance of thorough training and judgment in hiring decisions.

Feature	Details
Current Minimum Age Requirement	25 years old
Proposed Minimum Age Requirement	21 years old (possibly amended to 23 years old)
House Bill 84 Status	Passed transportation subcommittee (6-3), passed full transportation committee (11-7)
Notable Incident	Woodmore bus crash (2016), 6 students killed
Study Findings	Highest percentage of bus crashes among drivers aged 56 to 60 (2020-2024)