A proposed bill could require drug testing for minors applying for instructional driving permits.

State Rep. Roger Eddy (R-Hutsonville) proposed a bill in January to require any applicant under the age of 18 to take a drug test to be eligible for learners permits.

To participate in behind-the-wheel driver education, students must be found to be drug free.

“(The bill) provides teens with a peer acceptable reason to say no to drugs,” Eddy said.

There are no other states that have this requirement for permits, Eddy said. The bill has a lot of support in Illinois, he said.

The drug test would add additional costs to driver education, Eddy said.

The specific type of test to be used and the costs involved have not been determined, Eddy said.

Others were concerned the bill could be discriminatory.

State Rep. Robert Pritchard (R-Hinckley), said the bill unfairly singles out teenage drivers.

Eddy said the reason he only wants to test minors is to stop early drug use and to target the age group most vulnerable to peer pressure.

Pritchard said he agreed that drug abuse is a problem, but was not so sure Eddy’s approach was appropriate.

Bringing the hammer down on drivers licenses may not have the desired effect,” Pritchard said.

Tim Holt, drivers education instructor for DeKalb High School, 1515 S. Fourth St., said he is skeptical about the bill.

“I’m not interested in drug testing my students for a living,” Holt said.

Holt said he already hosts a detective from the DeKalb police to come in and talk to the kids about drunk driving as well as driving under the influence of illegal drugs.3