Contact:	Bob Redding (202) 543-1440
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin 98-81 October 14, 1998

U.S. House Approves Teen Driving Bill

Washington, D.C., October 14, 1998-- The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that would ease the job driving restrictions for teenagers. If enacted, the legislation would increase the time that 17-year-olds can drive on the job from 20 percent of a workday to 33 percent and five percent of a workweek to 20 percent.

"The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has encouraged the Congress to act on this initiative for some time. This legislation would encourage teenage employment in the independent motor vehicle industry because teenagers would be able to drive," said ASA Washington, D.C., Representative Bob Redding.

Introduced by Rep. Larry Combest, R-Texas, the legislation passed the House by a voice-vote. The legislation would allow 17-year-olds to engage in driving if it is "occasional and incidental to the job."

The legislation contains several restrictions, including on the towing of vehicles, and time-sensitive deliveries, but overall the legislation is positive for independent repairers. In addition, teenagers would not be able to drive beyond a 30-mile radius of the business or transport more than three passengers.

"Very few days remain in this Congress and it is important that as an industry we encourage the Senate to also address this legislation so that it can be referred to the president this year," said Redding.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind, serving more than 13,000 businesses and approximately 60,000 professionals from all segments of the automotive service industry. ASA is headquartered in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. Additional information about ASA, including past news releases, is available on the ASA Web Site on the Internet (http://www.asashop.org).