Restrictions for Newly Licensed

16 and 17-year-old Drivers

Effective Immediately

 

Passenger Restrictions

 

§ The teenager may always drive alone.  The law limits passengers.
 

§  During the first six months, the only passengers that may be in the vehicle with the driver are:

    • ONE licensed driver instructor
    • ONE person at least 20 years of age who has held a license for the previous four years and has not been suspended during that four year time frame
    • ONE or BOTH parents or legal guardians (The parent or legal guardian must be at least 25 years of age)

§ During the second six months, which is between seven and twelve months after the license is issued, the ONLY passengers allowed are:

    • members of the teenage driver’s immediate family
    • licensed driving instructor
    • a person at least 20 years of age who has held a license for the previous four years and has not been suspended during that four year time frame. 

The restrictions concerning passengers will carry a penalty for a
violation, which will be an infraction and fine.   In the case of a
driver who is convicted of a second violation, the new law permits
the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend
the license of the driver until he or she is 18 years of age.

 

Other Restrictions for Newly Licensed 16- and 17-Year-Old Drivers:

 

§   Until his or her 18 th birthday, a driver may not operate any vehicle that requires a public passenger transportation permit, or a vanpool vehicle.

§   Until his or her 18 th birthday, a driver may not transport more passengers than the number of seat safety belts installed in the vehicle.

 

§   Any person issued a motorcycle endorsement may not transport any passenger on a motorcycle for the first six months after obtaining the endorsement.

 

§  Drivers who are 16 and 17 years of age are restricted from using any type of cell phone or mobile electronic device while driving a moving vehicle, including those with a hands-free accessory

 

§  Drivers 16 and 17 years old are prohibited from driving between 11:00pm and 5 a.m. unless they are traveling for employment, school, religious or medical-related reasons.

 

The nighttime driving and passenger restrictions do not apply to
members of volunteer fire, ambulance or emergency medical
service organizations who respond to emergency call.

 

 

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