This article shines a spotlight on the teen sector of drivers and California’s Graduated Driver Laws which are designed to help keep our young drivers safe while they develop key skills and gain the confidence that comes with experience as they obtain full driving privileges. With newfound freedom comes more responsibility and the laws for Graduated Driver Licensing are important when you are aware of the statistics. The research shows that Graduated Driving Laws (GDL) can help to reduce vehicle collisions among 16 year-olds by as much as 43%.
Here are the Graduated Driver Licensing Laws:
| Minimum age | 15 years and 6 months old |
| Learner stage duration | 6 months |
| Required supervised driving hours | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night |
| Nighttime driving restriction | 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.. |
| Passenger restriction (family members are exempt unless otherwise noted) | No passengers under 20 years old without an adult 25 years or older present |
| Minimum age for full-privilege driving | 12 months licensed or 18 years old (whichever comes first) |
The research proves that immaturity among teen drivers along with the tendency for risk-taking behavior leads to speeding and an inability to recognize and respond to road hazards. This is supported by stats that hold teen driver collision rates at 4 times that of 20 year-olds and older per mile driven. And alcohol has been a factor in most teen driver collisions when inexperience with drinking as well as driving proves to be an unfortunate combination.
Make sure to contact Ticket Dismissers for all your driving citation situations…we’re here for you, regardless of age or driving experience.