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(1) Designed to
aid young novice drivers between the ages of 15 and 18 gain driving
experience. To date they apply only to drivers under the age of
18 except for lower BAC laws.
(2) Graduated licensing
as defined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: Stage
1: Learner's permit required. Other recommended components are
that the driver pass vision and knowledge tests; must drive with
a licensed adult age 21 or older; all occupants must wear seat belts;
blood alcohol content (BAC) set at zero or near zero (see footnote 5);
driver must be traffic-offense and alcohol-offense free to move up to
the next stage; permit's appearance is distinctive from other licenses.
Stage 2 (Intermediate or Provisional): Driver must complete stage 1;
must pass a road test; all occupants must wear seat belts; BAC set at
zero or near zero; licensed adult required in the vehicle during late
night hours; driver must be traffic-offense and alcohol-offense free
for 12 months to obtain a regular license. Stage 3: Full license.
(3) Vary by state
with regard to age of driver, night hours that driving is restricted,
and who must accompany driver during night hours. Exceptions may
be made for work, school activities or emergencies.
(4) Limits the number
of passengers a young driver may have in the vehicle to eliminate distractions
for an inexperienced driver.
(5) Specifies that
a driver under age 21 can be convicted of drunk driving if found driving
with a blood alcohol content (BAC) above the level shown. Conventional
BACs for older drivers are generally between 0.08 and 0.10.
(6) Applies to drivers
age 18 and under.
(7) If license applicant is 16 then mandatory holding period in learner
stage is 60 days. If license applicant is 17 then mandatory holding
period in learner stage is 30 days. License applicants younger than
18 must have completed driver education if it is available in the public
school or, if unavailable, must complete 50 hours of supervised driving
in addition to that required in the learner stage.
(8) New Hampshire
does not issue learner's permits. The minimum holding period refers
to the intermediate license for 16-and 17-year-olds for the first 3
months only.
(9) Effective September
2003.
(10) For the first six months after a learner's permit is issued.
Thereafter there are no restrictions.
(11) Applies to
drivers age 19 and under.
Sources:
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS); U.S. Department of Transportation,
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; National Conference
of State Legislatures; Insurance Information Institute.
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