KPD to enforce school permit laws

Following complaints to the local authorities, Kimball Police Chief Andy Bremer warns young drivers to follow the letter of the law with provisional permits.

A School Permit is required for drivers under the age of 16 to operate a motor vehicle without adult supervision.

These permits are offered to students residing or attending a school outside of a city of 5,000 or less but allow the student to only drive on the most direct route to school from the student’s residence, according to the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.

Previously the law stated that only students residing one and a half miles from school, or more, were eligible to obtain a school permit. Such is no longer the case.

Other laws governing the permit remain, however. Students holding a School Permit may only drive to and from school unaccompanied by an adult to attend classes or extracurricular activities in which the driver participates. This permit is not to be used to attend events as a spectator, whether at the driver’s school or otherwise, and the permit does not cover trips to the gas station, grocery store or other personal errands.

Additionally, the only occupants of the vehicle must be family members living in the same residence or any licensed driver aged 21 years and older. All occupants “are required to ride secured in an occupant protection system,” according to the state DMV website.