Chad Green, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, has introduced a bill aimed at adults who knowingly allow unlicensed minors to drive. The initiative is intended to enhance road safety and protect children. Green made this statement on the social media platform X.
“One of the pieces of legislation I’m most proud of is a bill I sponsored that makes it a crime for adults to knowingly allow a minor to operate a motor vehicle without a license,” said Green. “We have to protect each other on the road, but more than anything – we have to protect our kids!”
In 2024–2025, Virginia lawmakers advanced new traffic-safety reforms in response to fatal crashes involving underage and unlicensed drivers. According to the Virginia Mercury, legislation was enacted to strengthen penalties against adults who permit minors without licenses to operate vehicles. Such acts are now classified as Class 1 misdemeanors when injuries or deaths occur. These legislative efforts followed public campaigns by parents and safety advocates demanding accountability and education.
According to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, the Commonwealth recorded 129,244 crashes, resulting in 918 fatalities and 64,086 injuries in 2024. Teen drivers aged 15–19 accounted for 38 deaths, with speed and distraction identified as leading factors in over 46,000 combined incidents. These statistics highlight the ongoing risks associated with young and unlicensed drivers on Virginia’s roads.
Research from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that “invalidly licensed” drivers—those who are unlicensed or have suspended licenses—contributed disproportionately to fatal crashes nationwide. States such as Florida and Texas already criminalize allowing unlicensed minors to drive, similar to Virginia’s updated legislation for 2025 targeting adult negligence in youth driving fatalities.
Green, a Republican representing Virginia’s 69th House District since 2024, previously served on the York County Board of Supervisors, including terms as chair and vice chair. A practicing attorney, he is also a member of the Education and Privileges & Elections committees and supports public-safety and transportation reforms.