Tennessee lawmakers are considering a bill that would lower the minimum age for school bus drivers from 25 to 23 to address statewide driver shortages.

House Bill 1790, sponsored by State Representative Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna), and Senate Bill 2121, sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma), would allow younger drivers to get a commercial driver’s license (CDL) with a school bus endorsement, while maintaining existing training and safety guidelines.

Current law allows 23-year-olds to drive a school bus only if they are an honorably discharged veteran, a member of the National Guard or reserve, or a licensed teacher. The proposed legislation would expand eligibility while keeping districts in control of additional requirements. School districts would still have the authority to maintain higher age requirements locally.