SMYRNA, TN (WGNS) - State Rep. Mike Sparks of Smyrna and State Sen. Janice Bowling of Tullahoma are teaming up on new legislation aimed at easing the school bus driver shortage that continues to challenge districts across Tennessee. Their proposal, House Bill 1790 and Senate Bill 2121, would lower the minimum age to drive a school bus from 25 to 23—while keeping every existing safety, training, and licensing requirement firmly in place.

The change wouldn’t force any district to adjust its own rules. Local school boards would still decide who is qualified to drive, just as they do now. Sparks said the goal is simply to widen the pool of applicants at a time when schools everywhere are struggling to fill these critical positions.

“Schools across the nation are grappling with a serious bus driver shortage, disrupting student schedules and creating uncertainty for families,” Sparks said. “Lowering the minimum age requirement will expand the pool of qualified applicants, providing meaningful opportunities for young Tennesseans and helping ensure all children have safe, reliable transportation to and from school.”

Even with a lower age threshold, the bar to become a school bus driver in Tennessee remains high. Applicants must earn a commercial driver’s license with a school bus endorsement, demonstrate good character and competency, and show at least five consecutive years of unrestricted driving experience. Bowling said that balance—flexibility paired with strong standards—is exactly what districts need.

“Getting students safely to and from school is not optional, it’s essential,” Bowling said. “By giving local districts the flexibility to recruit more qualified drivers while upholding Tennessee’s strong safety standards, this bill helps ensure families can count on reliable transportation every school day.”

Current law already allows 23‑year‑olds to drive a school bus if they are honorably discharged veterans, members of the National Guard or reserves, or licensed teachers. The new legislation would simply extend that eligibility to all qualified applicants.

Districts across Rutherford, Wilson, Williamson, and Coffee counties have all felt the strain of driver shortages in recent years. In October 2025, the Rutherford County School Board formally backed lowering the minimum age to 23—a move Sparks said helped build momentum.

“I’m grateful to the Rutherford County School Board for their support of this critical legislation,” he said. “I’m hopeful it will help alleviate the bus driver shortage across our state.”

Neighboring states already allow school bus drivers as young as 18 to 21, making Tennessee one of the strictest in the region.

Sparks represents House District 49 in Rutherford County. Bowling represents Senate District 16, which includes Coffee, DeKalb, Franklin, Grundy, Lincoln, and Warren counties.