Teenage Drivers.
Below is a brief overview of driving laws for teenage drivers.
Ages 16-17yo
No driving Sun.-Thurs., 10 p.m.-6 a.m. and Fri.-Sat., 11 p.m.-6 a.m.
For the first 12 months of licensing, or until the driver turns 18, whichever occurs first, the number of passengers is limited to one person under age 20, unless the passenger(s) is a sibling, stepsibling, child or stepchild of the driver. After this period, the number of passengers is limited to one in the front seat and the number of safety belts in the back seat.
A conviction six months prior to turning 18 may extend restrictions beyond age 18.
Cell phone use while driving including a hands free device, is prohibited for drivers under age 19.
To obtain court supervision for a traffic violation, a driver must appear in court with a parent and also must attend traffic safety school. Limit one court supervision for serious driving offenses.
Two moving violation convictions occurring within a 24-month period results in a minimum one-month driver’s license suspension. Suspension length is determined by the seriousness of the offenses and the driver’s prior driving history. An additional driver’s license suspension will result for each subsequent moving violation following the initial suspension.
Suspended drivers must attend a remedial education course, may be retested and must pay a $70 reinstatement fee.
A driver under the age of 18 who violates the nighttime driving restriction may have their driving privileges suspended.
Ages 18-20yo
No age-related restrictions apply except in cases where a driver fails to move from the Initial Licensing Phase to the Full Licensing Phase. Age-related restrictions include nighttime driving and passenger limits.
Cell phone use while driving including a hands free device, is prohibited for drivers under age 19, except in the case of an emergency.
Limit one court supervision for serious driving offenses.
Two moving violation convictions occurring within a 24-month period results in a minimum one-month driver’s license suspension. Suspension length is determined by the seriousness of the offenses and the driver’s prior driving history. An additional driver’s license suspension will result for each subsequent moving violation following the initial suspension.
