Require Graduated Licensing for Novice Drivers

Driving under the influence of alcohol varies among youth. In 2004, an estimated 10.2% of 16 or 17 year olds, 20.2% of 18 to 20 year olds, and 28.2% of 21 to 25 year olds reported driving under the influence of alcohol. The consequences of drunk driving can be significant. Graduated licensing is a process by which learning drivers can be gradually introduced to driving. This limits the opportunities that youth can drive while intoxicated. A licensing system is considered to be graduated if it contains at least three distinct steps or stages:

• Learning—The young person is required to undergo a period of practice driving under the supervision of an experienced licensed driver.
• Restricted—The young person can engage in unsupervised driving subject to certain restrictions. A key restriction is a prohibition against driving after drinking any alcohol. Restrictions on night driving may also reduce the probability that the young driver will drive after using alcohol. Other possible restrictions include added requirements for seatbelt use, limitations on passengers, and limitations on the types of vehicles that can be driven. During the restricted stage, license actions and suspensions are often rendered for fewer and less serious traffic violations. Often there are very serious penalties for driving under the influence of any amount of alcohol.
• Full—The young person is issued a full-privilege license (to drive anywhere at any time).

To enter the learning stage in a typical graduated licensing system, the young person needs to have attained the minimum age and pass vision and rules-of-the-road tests. Entry into the restricted stage requires completing a minimum period of violation-fee driving as a learner and passing a road test. Full licensure requires reaching a minimum age, typically 17 or 18, and successfully completing the restricted stage with few or no violations or at-fault crashes. The required learning period and the required restricted period distinguish graduated licensing systems from traditional systems in which the young person need only attain a certain age and pass rules, vision, and road tests before receiving a full-privilege license. Graduated licensing is currently being considered by many states as a means to reduce the high crash rates and high crash costs associated with teen drivers.

For additional strategies and approaches for changing policies, see the following:

What You Can Do: Community
What You Can Do: Parents
What You Can Do: Agencies
What You Can Do: Schools