March 28, 2024

Iowa State Patrol issues reminders about school permits

With schools opening brings another group of young drivers on school permits. Many of these young drivers are getting in trouble when they are off route or giving friends rides. Every year we have these young drivers getting in crashes.

The Iowa State Patrol wants to remind those who are driving on a school permit that this permit allows you to drive back and forth from home to school and/or activities between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. You cannot drive after 10 p.m.

You must use the most direct route between school and home. You are allowed to stop for fuel at a station that is closest to your route. You are not allowed to stop along your route or detour off your route to pick up friends or riders. Doing so can cost you your school permit. If it’s not a school event you cannot drive to it. That includes after practice team dinners, non-sanctioned practices or part-time jobs these are not school events.

Doug Cutts is a senior trooper with the Iowa State Patrol in the safety education division.