What Are Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Programs?

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) programs restrict the privileges of young drivers as they incrementally gain experience, requiring them to advance through three stages. First, teenagers must study for and pass written tests, entitling them to a learner’s permit and a subsequent provisional license. After exhibiting safe driving practices through both stages and meeting all behind-the-wheel prerequisites, they can finally graduate with an unrestricted driver’s license.

To ensure safety states only allow teens of specified age groups to begin GDL training. For example, some states like Alaska, Montana, and South Dakota allow teenagers to start driving with a learner’s permit as early as 14. However, most others impose age restrictions of 15 to 16 on GDL eligibility. Learn what your state’s laws are for teenage drivers.

Why Is Teen Driving Restricted?

Collisions account for the majority of teenage fatalities every year. Similarly, adolescents cause nearly triple the number of car accidents than drivers over 20. Therefore, every state restricts driving privileges on an age-weighted basis to ensure newly licensed teens can build the confidence and awareness required to operate a vehicle safely.

The CDC has pointed to many factors contributing to these hazards. Compounding their inherent inexperience, adolescents pose a higher likelihood of driving at night, using drugs or alcohol, speeding, not wearing seatbelts, and getting distracted by electronic devices. Furthermore, most teens do not possess fully developed memory capacities or impulse control, inhibiting their ability to make hair-trigger decisions that could ultimately save lives.

How Do GDL Programs Work?

GDL restrictions typically occur in three stages and vary on a state-to-state basis.

What Age Can Teens Drive?

The age at which teens can begin driving depends on several factors, including location, permit restrictions, the required holding period, access to driver’s ed, and parental availability. For example, Alabama teens can get a GDL permit at age 15. However, they must safely operate their vehicle for 12 months and meet all behind-the-wheel prerequisites before obtaining a provisional license. Contrarily, teens in California must wait until they turn 15 and a half to qualify for a learner’s permit but can graduate to the intermediate stage after only six months.

Most states require teens to drive a specific amount of time while supervised by a certified instructor or parental guardian before graduating from the learner’s stage. Other states might require them to enroll in driver’s education courses or inhibit them from operating a vehicle at nighttime or carrying passengers. The chart below reveals the earliest age a teenager can obtain a provisional license after their permit “holding period.”

State	Learner’s Permit Age	Earliest License Age (After Permit Holding Period)
Alabama	15 years	16 years
Alaska	14 years	14 years, 6 months
Arizona	15 years, 6 months	16 years
Arkansas	14 years	14 years, 6 months
California	15 years, 6 months	16 years
Colorado	15 years	16 years
Connecticut	16 years	16 years, 6 months
Delaware	16 years	16 years, 6 months
Georgia	15 years	16 years
Florida	15 years	16 years
Hawaii	15 years, 6 months	16 years
Idaho	14 years, 6 months	15 years
Illinois	15 years	16 years, 3 months
Indiana	15 years with driver’s education; 16 years without it	15 years, 6 months; 16 years, 6 months (no driver’s education)
Iowa	14 years	15 years
Kansas	14 years	15 years
Kentucky	16 years	16 years, 6 months
Louisiana	15 years	15 years, 6 months
Maine	15 years	15 years, 6 months
Maryland	15 years, 9 months	16 years, 6 months
Massachusetts	16 years	16 years, 6 months
Michigan	14 years, 9 months	15 years, 3 months
Minnesota	15 years	15 years, 6 months
Mississippi	15 years	16 years
Missouri	15 years	15 years, 6 months
Montana	14 years, 6 months	15 years
Nebraska	15 years	15 years, 6 months
Nevada	15 years, 6 months	16 years
New Hampshire	15 years, 6 months	15 years, 6 months
New Jersey	16 years	16 years, 6 months
New Mexico	15 years	15 years, 6 months
New York	16 years	16 years, 6 months
North Carolina	15 years	15 years, 6 months
North Dakota	14 years	15 years
Ohio	15 years, 6 months	16 years
Oklahoma	15 years, 6 months without driver’s education	16 years
Oregon	15 years	15 years, 6 months
Pennsylvania	16 years	16 years, 6 months
Rhode Island	16 years	16 years, 6 months
South Carolina	15 years	15 years, 6 months
South Dakota	14 years	14 years, 6 months after passing driver’s education
Tennessee	15 years	15 years, 6 months
Texas	15 years	15 years, 6 months
Utah	15 years	16 years, 6 months
Vermont	15 years	16 years
Virginia	15 years, 5 months	16 years, 2 months
Washington	15 years with driver’s education; 15 years, 6 months without it	15 years, 6 months with driver’s education; 16 years without it
West Virginia	15 years	15 years, 6 months
Wisconsin	15 years, 6 months	16 years
Wyoming	15 years	15 years, 10 days

What Are the Stages of GDL?

GDL programs usually occur in three stages:

Learner: Can drive under supervision with a learner’s permit
Intermediate: Can drive unsupervised with a provisional license but must adhere to specific restrictions
Full privileges: Can drive freely with an unrestricted driver’s license

Learner

A learner is any teen above the minimum age yet to achieve provisional driving privileges. These individuals must begin the GDL process by studying their state’s driving manual, taking a knowledge test, passing a vision exam, and paying a small DMV fee for their learner’s permit. From there, these adolescents can begin to practice driving under the supervision of a fully licensed parent, grandparent, or driving instructor.

In most cases, learners can only graduate to the intermediate GDL phase after logging a specific amount of supervised hours behind the wheel and holding their permit without incident for 6-12 months. However, each state imposes independent criteria required of a permit holder before they can advance to a provisional driver’s license.

Intermediate

Teen drivers can enter their intermediate stage after fulfilling the total length of their permit holding period and completing all the requirements listed in the chart above. Upon graduating with a provisional license, these individuals can begin driving unsupervised during specific daytime hours. As with every other step in the GLD process, these regulations vary from state to state.

For example, probationary license holders in New Jersey can begin to drive unsupervised but can only do so between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m. The state also continues to restrict teens in the intermediate stage from carrying any non-supervising passengers. While allowing adolescents more autonomy, these regulations ensure they continue accumulating valuable experience before gaining full privileges, protecting themselves and other drivers on the road from harm.

Full Privileges

Once you have reached the designated age or held your provisional license for the minimum amount of time, you can graduate with full driving privileges. Teens who reach the final stage of the GDL hold all the same rights as any other adult licensed driver and should automatically have their license status upgraded. Unrestricted licenses allow adolescents in every state to drive at any hour of the day with zero passenger restrictions.

GDL regulations typically only apply to drivers under 18 years old. In many states, older teens applying for a license can usually skip over the first two phases of a GDL program and immediately test for full driving privileges. Contrarily, younger teens must always hold their provisional license and drive without incident for at least six months to a year before advancing.

State Requirements

State	Learner Requirements
Alabama	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving
Alaska	6-month holding period; 40 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night or in inclement weather
Arizona	6-month holding period; 30 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Defensive driving course required
Arkansas	6-month holding period.
California	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night
Colorado	12-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night
Connecticut	6-month holding period; 4-month with driver’s education; 40 hours of supervised driving; No passengers allowed other than supervisor
Delaware	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Driver’s education required
Georgia	12-month holding period; 40 hours of supervised driving, including 6 at night; Driver’s education required
Florida	12-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; No driving after 10 p.m.
Hawaii	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Driver’s education required
Idaho	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; 3 learning permit levels are based on age
Illinois	9-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Driver’s education required
Indiana	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night
Iowa	12-month holding period; 20 hours of supervised driving, including 2 at night; No external electronic communication or entertainment devices in the car; No passengers other than the supervisor; Cannot drive outside of school district without an extra-curricular sharing agreement
Kansas	12-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; No minor passengers other than siblings; Can drive unsupervised only if going to and from work or school via the most direct route
Kentucky	6-month holding period; 60 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Driver’s education or state-sponsored traffic school required
Louisiana	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night
Maine	6-month holding period; 70 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Driver’s education required
Maryland	9-month holding period; 60 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Driver’s education required
Massachusetts	6-month holding period; 40 hours of supervised driving with 30 hours of advanced driver training; Driver’s education required
Michigan	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; First segment of driver’s education required
Minnesota	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 15 at night; Driver’s education required
Mississippi	12-month holding period
Missouri	6-month holding period; 40 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night
Montana	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Driver’s education required under age 15
Nebraska	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; No supervised driving required after driver’s education
Nevada	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; 100 hours of supervised driving required if no driver’s education courses available within 30 miles
New Hampshire	No holding period; 40 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night
New Jersey	6-month holding period; No driving between 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.; Only one passenger allowed in addition to the supervisor
New Mexico	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Driver’s education required
New York	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night
North Carolina	6-month holding period; 60 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Driver’s education required
North Dakota	12-month holding period under 16 years old; 6-month hold for drivers between 16 to 18; 50 hours of supervised driving required under the age of 16
Ohio	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night
Oklahoma	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night
Oregon	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving with driver’s education; 100 hours of supervised driving without driver’s education
Pennsylvania	6-month holding period; 65 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night and 5 in inclement weather
Rhode Island	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Driver’s education required
South Carolina	6-month holding period; 40 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night
South Dakota	180-day holding period with driver’s education; 275-day holding period without driver’s education; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night and 10 during inclement weather; No driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Tennessee	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; No driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Texas	6-month holding period; 30 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Must pass classroom phase of approved driver’s education course
Utah	18-month holding period; 40 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Driver’s education required; Supervisors must sign a document claiming liability for learner’s driving
Vermont	12-month holding period; 40 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night
Virginia	9-month holding period; 45 hours of supervised driving, including 15 at night; No unsupervised night driving; No passengers
Washington	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; Driver’s education required to get permit at age 15
West Virginia	6-month holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; No supervision limit after taking driver’s education; No driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.; 2 passengers allowed in addition to supervisor
Wisconsin	6-month holding period; 30 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night; 3 passengers allowed if supervised in dual-control vehicle
Wyoming	10-day holding period; 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night

State	Intermediate Requirements
Alabama	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 6 a.m; No more than one passenger
Alaska	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m; No passengers under 21 for the first 6 months
Arizona	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 18
Arkansas	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 21; Have a crash and violation-free record for 6 months
California	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.; No passengers under 20 unless supervised by a guardian over 25
Colorado	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 5 a.m.; No passengers during the first 6 months; 1 passenger allowed after first 6 months
Connecticut	Eligible at 16 years, 4 months; No unsupervised driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.; No passengers other than supervisor first 6 months; After first 6 months, can have immediate family as passengers; Parents must attend teen driving classes
Delaware	Eligible at 16 years, 6 months; No unsupervised driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.; No more than one passenger
Georgia	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 5 a.m.; No passengers for first 6 months; Second 6 months, one passenger allowed under 21; 3 passengers maximum allowed thereafter
Florida	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.; Restriction minimized to 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. for drivers over 17
Hawaii	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 18 other than household members
Idaho	Eligible at 15 years; No unsupervised driving from sunset to sunrise; No more than one passenger under 17 for the first 6 months
Illinois	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Sun-Thurs) and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Fri-Sat); No more than one passenger under 20
Indiana	Eligible at 16 years, 3 months with driver’s education; 16 years, 9 months without driver’s education; No unsupervised driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the first 180 days; No unsupervised driving 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. after first 180 days; No passengers during first 180 days
Iowa	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 1230 a.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 18 other for the first 6 months, but parents can waive this requirement
Kansas	Eligible at 16 years; Can drive directly to and from school and work at 15; No unsupervised driving from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. for the first 6 months; No more than one non-sibling passenger for the first 6 months
Kentucky	Eligible at 16 years, 6 years; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 6 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 20
Louisiana	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 21 between 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Maine	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 5 a.m.; No passengers for the first 270 days
Maryland	Eligible at 16 years, 6 months; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 18 for the first 5 months
Massachusetts	Eligible at 16 years, 6 months; No unsupervised driving from 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.; No more passengers under 18 for the first 6 months
Michigan	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 21
Minnesota	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 20 for the first 6 months; 3 passengers under 20 allowed for the second 6 months
Mississippi	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Sun-Thurs) and 11:30 pm to 6 a.m. (Fri-Sat)
Missouri	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 19 for the first 6 months; 3 passengers under 19 allowed for the second 6 months
Montana	Eligible at 15 years; No unsupervised driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 18 for the first 6 months; 3 passengers under 18 allowed for the second 6 months
Nebraska	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 6 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 19 for the first 6 months
Nevada	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 18 for the first 6 months
New Hampshire	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 25
New Jersey	Eligible at 17 years; No unsupervised driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger except dependents
New Mexico	Eligible at 15 years, 6 months; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 21
New York	Eligible at 16 years, 6 months; No unsupervised driving from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., except in NYC (no restrictions) and Long Island (limited daytime hours allowed); No more than one passenger under 21
North Carolina	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one non-family passenger under 21
North Dakota	Eligible at 16 years, or 15 years for parent-requested restricted license; No unsupervised driving from sunset or 9 p.m. (whichever falls later) to 5 a.m.
Ohio	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 6 a.m.; At age 17, restrictions lessen from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger unless supervised for the first 12 months
Oklahoma	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger unless all passengers live with the same legal guardian
Oregon	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 18 for the first 6 months
Pennsylvania	Eligible at 16 years, 6 months; No unsupervised driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 18 for the first 6 months; 3 passengers allowed after first 6 months
Rhode Island	Eligible at 16 years, 6 months; No unsupervised driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 21 for the first 12 months; Parent supervisors must attend teen driver courses
South Carolina	Eligible at 15 years, 6 months; No unsupervised driving from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. during daylight savings time; 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. standard time; No more than two passengers under 21 except when driving to and from school
South Dakota	Eligible at 14 years, 6 months; No unsupervised driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Exceptions made if driving directly to or from school, church, or work event or operating agricultural machinery; No non-household passengers for the first 6 months; One non-household passenger allowed during the second 6 months
Tennessee	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.; No more than one passenger
Texas	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 21
Utah	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 5 a.m.; No more passengers for the first 6 months
Vermont	Eligible at 16 years; No more passengers for the first 3 months; Family passengers allowed for the second 3 months
Virginia	Eligible at 16 years, 3 months; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 4 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 21 for the first 12 months; No more than 3 passengers allowed after first 12 months; Parents must take a 90-minute driver’s education segment
Washington	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.; No passengers under 20 for the first 6 months; 3 passengers under 20 allowed for the second 6 months; Drivers with accident or violation history must wait until age 18 to apply for an unrestricted license
West Virginia	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.; No passengers under 20 for the first 6 months; One passenger under 20 allowed for the second 6 months
Wisconsin	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from midnight to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger
Wyoming	Eligible at 16 years; No unsupervised driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.; No more than one passenger under 18

State	Minimum Age for Full Privilege
Alabama	17 years
Alaska	16 years, 6 months
Arizona	16 years, 6 months
Arkansas	18 years
California	17 years
Colorado	17 years
Connecticut	17 years, 4 months to drive with passengers; 18 years to drive at night
Delaware	17 years
Florida	18 years
Georgia	18 years
Hawaii	17 years
Idaho	15 years, 6 months to drive with passengers; 16 years to drive at night
Illinois	17 years to drive with passengers; 18 years to drive at night
Indiana	17 years to drive with passengers if completed driver’s education; 17 years, 3 months without driver’s education; 18 years to drive at night
Iowa	17 years
Kansas	16 years, 6 months
Kentucky	17 years
Louisiana	17 years
Maine	16 years
Maryland	16 years, 11 months to drive with passengers; 18 years to drive at night
Massachusetts	17 years to drive with passengers; 18 years to drive at night
Michigan	17 years
Minnesota	16 years, 6 months to drive at night; 17 years to drive with passengers
Mississippi	18 years
Missouri	18 years
Montana	16 years
Nebraska	16 years, 6 months to drive with passengers; 17 years to drive at night
Nevada	16 years, 6 months to drive with passengers; 18 years to drive at night
New Hampshire	16 years, 6 months to drive with passengers; 17 years, one month to drive at night
New Jersey	18 years
New Mexico	16 years, 6 months
New York	17 years with driver’s education; 18 years without driver’s education
North Carolina	16 years, 6 months.
North Dakota	16 years
Ohio	17 years to drive with passengers; 18 years to drive at night
Oklahoma	16 years, 6 months with driver’s education; 17 years without driver’s education
Oregon	17 years
Pennsylvania	17 years with driver’s education; 12 months without a crash or conviction; 18 years without driver’s education
Rhode Island	17 years, 6 months
South Carolina	16 years, 6 months
South Dakota	16 years
Tennessee	17 years
Texas	18 years
Utah	16 years, 6 months to drive with passengers; 17 years to drive at night
Vermont	16 years, 6 months
Virginia	18 years
Washington	18 years
West Virginia	17 years
Wisconsin	16 years, 9 months
Wyoming	16 years, 6 months

What Happens When You Turn 18?

In most states, turning 18 automatically makes someone eligible for full driving privileges. However, 18-year-olds without GDL experience would still have to study their state’s driver’s manual, take an eye examination, and pass written and behind-the-wheel DMV tests to obtain their license, just as younger teens must do for their permit and provisional privileges.

Turning 18 also allows teens to exit their GDL program prematurely. For example, a California teen who got their permit promptly at age 15 would have to wait at least 18 months and meet all graduation criteria before advancing to an unrestricted license at age 17. Contrarily, a 17-year-old Californian who got their permit late could forego any unfinished prerequisites and obtain their license as soon as their next birthday.

Do You Need Auto Insurance For Teen Drivers?

Yes. Nearly every state requires vehicle operators to have car insurance, regardless of age or GDL status. While teens can secure coverage independently, joining their parent’s auto insurance policy almost always results in lower premiums. Furthermore, it gives them access to the same benefits that their parents have purchased for themselves.

As with adults, teens only need to carry their state’s minimum required coverage. However, due to their inexperience and the statistical likelihood of causing accidents, many purchase more comprehensive benefit packages. Most insurance companies offer price breaks and policy riders aimed explicitly at teens joining parental policies, including good student discounts, multi-car household premium reductions, and teen driver discounts.

How Much Does Auto Insurance Cost for Teen Drivers?

The cost of car insurance depends on various factors, including location, driving record, coverage level, and applicable discounts. Regardless, teenagers are always the most expensive age group to insure due to their lack of experience and high collision rates. Therefore, teen drivers who can join their parents’ policies will save significantly more than they would by purchasing car insurance independently.

Average standalone car insurance premiums for teenagers cost about $547 monthly. Contrarily, adding a teen dependent onto a pre-existing auto insurance policy would only increase premiums by an average of $248. For reference, the average national cost of car insurance for adults with intermediate coverage sits around $125 monthly.

What Happens If a GDL Driver Gets Into an Accident?

Accidents and violations during your learner or intermediate stage typically result in temporary revocation of your driving privileges or postponement of your license eligibility. However, specifics vary based on each state’s GDL laws. For example, provisional drivers in Washington with an accident history must wait until their 18th birthday to access full driving privileges.

Contrarily, adults who get into accidents rarely lose privileges, albeit after extreme incidents like DUI convictions. Both teens and adults with documented at-fault accidents or police citations will see incur higher insurance rates upon renewal, typically increasing by 20-50%. Premium adjustments for teens tend to fall on the higher side of this scale.

Should You Allow Your Teen to Drive?

Pros

Gain experience
Less parental driving
Increase autonomy
Discounts on car insurance for teens
Motivation for safe driving
Help others learn

Cons

Teens are riskier drivers
Susceptible to peer pressure
Potential increase in insurance premiums
Requires time commitment
Some states require parental commitment

Parents of teen drivers must make complicated decisions regarding their safety, personal freedom, and financial liability. While allowing your adolescent children to drive grants them greater autonomy, it opens them up to dangerous situations outside your control. Furthermore, adding a teenager to your car insurance policy will raise your monthly premiums by hundreds of dollars.

Ideally, parents should have the necessary free time to educate their children and supervise them during their learner’s and provisional GDL stages. Many other parents find comfort in purchasing practical vehicles with fortified safety features. If you cannot afford your increased insurance premiums, you may want to ask your teenager to make a partial contribution or even apply for a job.

Advantages

Enrolling your teenager in a GDL program presents many benefits:

Allows them to gain valuable road experience while under supervision.
Parents can stop driving their teens to and from school or work.
Driving increases teenagers’ autonomy, allowing them to pursue independent interests, make friends, go on dates, apply for jobs, and much more.
Teen drivers can often secure good student and multi-car discounts under your insurance policy.
Knowing that violations and accidents could result in the postponement of their license motivates teens to drive safely.
Intermediate-stage teens in some states can help their parents by driving younger siblings to and from school.

Disadvantages

However, having driving-age teenagers presents many potential downsides, including:

Teenagers pose a higher risk of vehicle-related death due to immaturity and lack of skills and experience.
Teenagers can easily fall into peer pressure, leading them to drink and drive, speed, text while driving, or participate in other dangerous activities.
Adding a teenager to your auto insurance policy will significantly increase your monthly premium.
GDL programs require parents to supervise many hours of driving, which can strain already demanding schedules.
Some states require parents to take teen driver courses or pay for certified driver education programs before granting GDL eligibility.

How To Participate in a GDL Program

Regardless of state-specific requirements, the GDL process usually unfolds in the following order:

Apply for your learner’s permit: Once you feel confident in your state’s driver manual, schedule an appointment at the DMV to take your test.
Meet all learning stage requirements: All states impose a holding period (typically six months to a year) on learner’s permits. Likewise, learners must complete a specified amount of supervised driving. Some states require teens to attend driver’s education.
Abide by all provisional restrictions: These typically include limits on night driving, passengers, and cell phone use. Violations may result in postponed eligibility for a driver’s license.
Graduate to an unrestricted driver’s license: After completing your provisional period or turning 18, you should automatically receive full driving privileges.

All in All

Allowing inexperienced drivers to share the road presents a high risk of fatal accidents. Therefore, most states offer GDL programs that license teenagers in three probationary stages. These systems encourage safe driving habits by requiring many hours of parental supervision and imposing restrictions on passengers, night driving, and cell phone use.

Once teens meet the specified criteria and graduate through their first two GDL phases with an incident-free record, they should automatically receive unrestricted driving privileges. If you meet your state’s minimum age requirement and want to begin driving, study your local laws and schedule an appointment at the DMV to take a learning permit test.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most GDL programs restrict teens from using cell phones or other electronic devices in any capacity while operating a vehicle. Some states, like Iowa, will not even allow teens to have a cell phone inside the car. Violations may result in permit revocation or postponed license eligibility.

While nobody in any age group can legally text and drive, motorists above 18 can send and receive phone calls using hands-free devices.

Though consequences vary from state to state, teens with documented traffic violations or at-fault accidents may temporarily lose their driving privileges. In some states, a spotty record will freeze their eligibility for an unrestricted license until they turn 18. Driving with a revoked learner’s permit or provisional license can result in significant fines, vehicle impoundment, and prolonged suspension of privileges.

State Driving Laws for Teens