Adopting a Graduated Licensing Program for Your Teen Driver

Many states have adopted a graduated licensing program for teenage drivers. This program, developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, consists of stages that are meant to ease new drivers into driving. Each stage must be completed before the driver can obtain full licensure to operate a vehicle. These stages take into consideration the main areas that cause crashes involving new drivers, including immaturity, lack of experience, judgment and skill, and driving during hours that are considered high-risk (nighttime, etc.). The program is fantastic. However, it has not yet been adopted by every state. Don't let that stop you from adopting your own, though. Here is a suggested driving program for your teen.

Stage I: Your teen must be at least 15 years old to have a learner permit, and must complete a drivers education curriculum (many times offered through the school). During this stage, your teen must drive with an adult passenger (someone 21 years or older).

Your teenager may not drive between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Your teen must wear a safety belt, and refrain from using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs while he or she is driving. This stage lasts anywhere from six months to one year, and your teen must be ticket-free and crash-free during this time.

Stage II: This stage begins when your teen is at least 16 years old and has held a learners permit for at least six months. Your teen may drive unsupervised during daytime hours, but still must drive with an adult during nighttime hours. Teens may transport only one passenger who is a non-family member during this stage.

As with the first stage, everyone in the vehicle must wear a safety belt, and tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs are prohibited. Your teenager must remain in this stage for at least two years and be both ticket-free and crash-free for a full year before moving to the last stage.

Stage III: This stage is considered the full licensure stage. Your teen must be at least 18 years old to enter this stage. There are no restrictions on driving as long as your teen has had no wrecks or tickets for six months. As with the other stages, all passengers must wear a safety belt and not use tobacco, alcohol or other drugs while in the vehicle.

This is only a suggested graduated licensing program. Customize the stages to fit your teen's maturity and skill level. Following this program or one that you have customize will help ensure the safety of your teenager during the early driving years.

Sources:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/outreach/safesobr/13qp/facts/factgrad.html