Rutherford County Board Backs House Rep. Mike Sparks’ Push to Lower School Bus Driver Age Amid Shortages
The Rutherford County School Board voted 5-2 last week to support a potential legislative bill concerning bus driver age requirements. (Photo Credit: RCS)
The Rutherford County School Board (RCS) voted 5-2 last week to support state legislation that would lower the minimum age requirement for school bus drivers in Tennessee from 25 to 23, a move aimed at easing persistent driver shortages across the region.
The resolution, introduced by Rep. Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna), comes as districts across Tennessee, including Rutherford and neighboring Wilson County, continue to face unfilled bus routes and staffing challenges. Sparks’ bill passed the House during the last legislative session but failed in the Senate by a single vote. He said local backing could help revive the measure when lawmakers reconvene in January.
Rep. Mike Sparks spoke at the RCS Work Session asking for a resolution to pass, advocating for his bill to pass next session. (Photo Credit: TN Gen Assembly)
A Shortage Driving Policy Change
Tennessee is currently the most restrictive state in the nation when it comes to bus driver eligibility, requiring drivers to be at least 25 years old. Sparks argued that the rule, enacted in response to a 2016 Chattanooga bus crash that killed six children, has unintentionally worsened the state’s driver shortage.
“I’d argue the guy who was driving that bus shouldn’t have been driving a school bus,” Sparks said at the Sept. 23 board work session. “He had multiple complaints from students, parents, and other drivers. Someone should have intervened. Instead, the state just raised the age to 25. His age was 24.”
Board member Caleb Tidwell agreed that the age requirement was out of step with the rest of the country. “Age 23 would still make Tennessee the most restrictive in the United States,” Tidwell said. “We need to think about creating a pipeline. Many young people make career decisions well before 25, and we’re missing that opportunity.”
Local and Regional Strains
Rutherford County has struggled with unfulfilled bus routes in recent years, with some contractors forced to abandon routes because they could not hire enough drivers. Wilson County, facing an even more severe shortage, has considered staggering school start times to stretch its existing fleet.
Board member Frances Rosales said increasing the pool of eligible drivers could help districts avoid such measures.
“We have some unfulfilled routes that didn’t have drivers even at the beginning of this year,” Rosales said. “One contractor had to give up a route because he couldn’t find drivers. I do see a need to increase the pipeline.”
Sparks Seeks Broader Support
Sparks emphasized that school districts will still have the authority to set stricter local standards if the state lowers the minimum age. He also noted that the data he reviewed suggests younger drivers are not necessarily riskier.
“Accidents are usually from the older drivers, not the younger drivers,” he said.
He says that the Tennessee School Boards Association has voiced support for the legislation, and Sparks adds that he plans to bring the Rutherford resolution to the county commission next.
“I don’t want to leave any stone unturned,” he said. “The bill failed the Senate by just one simple vote last time. This support makes a difference.”
Opponents to Resolution Speak Out
Board Member Katie Darby voted against the resolution. She claimed a lack of data was her reason for voting no.
Board Member Katie Darby requested there to be more data regarding age adding increased risk. (RCS)
“I’m not against it, it’s the data that we asked for about whether the age adds to increased risk for our students,” said Darby. “Unfortunately, that graph was never sent—I asked for some more information on it that I never received.”
On the other hand, board member Tammy Sharp, who also voted ‘no,’ said that there is no hope for passing the resolution.
Board member Tammy Sharp said that Cameron Sexton’s office is “not going to change” the current age restriction law. (RCS)
“I spoke with representatives at Cameron Sexton’s office,” said Sharp. “They’re not going to change this. The State General Assembly is not going to change this. TDOT is not going to change thus. It’s a liability for our school system to have the younger drivers in the buses.”
Looking Ahead
While some board members expressed concern about public safety, the majority agreed that staffing shortages must be addressed. Tidwell summarized the sentiment: “The crime doesn’t match the punishment here. That crash was about reckless behavior, not age. We shouldn’t have the most restrictive law in the world for bus drivers.”
Currently, there are six open routes in Rutherford County and potentially eleven due to thirty-day letters just sent out to contractors who do not currently have a driver on their bus.
The resolution now moves to the Rutherford County Commission, while Sparks prepares to reintroduce the bill in the General Assembly’s 2026 session.
