Teen Drivers: The Laws Have Changed
If you are the parent of a teenager, you may eagerly look forward to your child getting his or her driver license. No longer will you need to take your child back and forth to school, work and social activities…or will you? Times have changed since you first received your license, and graduated driver licenses have become the new standard in almost every state.
While the new changes seem to be working to reduce the number of teen crashes, the restrictions can be a nightmare to try to understand. Each state’s laws are different, so you will need to get a copy of your state’s regulations. In this two-part series, we will provide a general overview of some restrictions that are currently in place. Part One looks at the minimum age for different driver licenses.
Licensing Ages
At one time, virtually every state gave restricted licenses or learners’ permits to teens aged 14 or 15. At 16, after passing the full driver exam, the teen was eligible for an unrestricted license. Extremely high-traffic locations, such as NYC, were the exception, often requiring drivers to be at least 18 to obtain full licenses.
Graduated Driver License Ages
Today, most states require a three-stage licensing program. The learners’ permit is first, and the minimum age varies from 14 to 16. This is a teaching license that requires the teen to be accompanied by a licensed driver over a certain age (often 21).
Next is the restricted license, which allows the teen to drive alone in most situations but carries a number of restrictions. The minimum age for this license varies between states from 14 years, 3 months (with driver’s education) to 18 years.
The final step is the full, unrestricted driver license. The minimum age for this license varies from 16 to 21, although 18 seems the most common. Some states gradually reduce the restrictions as drivers age, while other states automatically provide the full license after the intermediate license has been held for a certain period of time.
If you plan to let your teenager drive your Certified Mercedes, make sure you know the current laws before handing over your keys. On Friday, we will take a look at some of the more common driving restrictions facing today’s teens.
Filed Under: Certified Mercedes-Benz
About the Author: 
