Teens may have to prove they’re literate before receiving Oklahoma driver’s license

Oklahoma Voice By: Emma Murphy February 18, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY — Teen drivers could be required to meet certain literacy requirements under two bills proposed by Oklahoma lawmakers. 

House Bill 4153 and Senate Bill 1538 would each require minors to meet eighth grade literacy standards and require Service Oklahoma to withdraw driving privileges if the child drops out of school. 

The measures carve out exceptions for children on individualized education programs, or IEPs, for reading and those who work at least 24 hours per week. 

The lawmakers authoring these bills have both said the goal is to incentivize students to improve literacy. 

Neither Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, nor Rep. Toni Hasenbeck, R-Elgin, were available to answer questions about their bills Wednesday, including whether the measures could affect youth who are learning English as a second language or why they now want to reinstate a requirement that was eliminated several years ago. 

View the full article: OklahomaVoice.com