COLUMBIA (AP) -- South Carolina students who drop out of school or habitually skip class would lose their driving privileges until they're 18 under a bill that's received key approval from the House.
Members voted 67-29 on Thursday to approve the bill that would suspend the driver's license of teens who drop out, are expelled or accumulate more than seven unexcused absences.
Public, private and home schools would be required to report the absences of 15- to 17-year-olds to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 14 days. The law would take effect in August 2011.
The bill requires another, perfunctory vote before heading to the Senate. An effort to make that vote automatic on Friday failed, meaning the bill will miss a procedural deadline.
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