The Graduated Driver’s License is a contentious issue around the world with many governments either taking up this policy or refusing to go near it. The Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) affects young people directly but many either don’t know what it is or have never come across this term. This article aims to explain the GDL with a focus on North America where it is used widely…
What is the GDL?
It’s a system to phase in young beginners to full driving privileges. It introduces them to driving in a low-risk way, as they become more mature and develop their driving skills. Versions of graduated licensing are in effect in New Zealand; Victoria, Australia; and several Canadian provinces. Beginning with Florida in 1996, graduated licensing also has been adopted in almost all US states.
There are 3 stages to a graduated system: supervised learner’s period; intermediate license (after passing road test) that limits driving in high-risk situations except under supervision; and a license with full privileges.
The best systems include a learner’s stage, beginning no earlier than age 16 and including 30-50 or more hours of supervised driving, followed by a license at 16½ or older with strong restrictions on night driving and on other teens riding in the vehicles. The night restrictions should start at 9 or 10 pm, and no more than 1 teen passenger should be allowed in a vehicle with a newly licensed driver any time unless there’s a supervisor. These restrictions should extend until the 18th birthday.
Most states impose some of the core requirements, and some states impose other requirements. Some require everyone in a vehicle with a teen driver to use safety belts. Some impose penalties so that violations result in license suspension or delay a beginner’s advancement to the next licensing stage. More than half of all US states prohibit beginners from using cellphones while driving, and many states ban young beginners from texting.
Why target young people? Why not target beginning drivers of all ages?
Graduated licensing could apply to all first-time drivers. But in the United States young people make up the majority of beginners, and their crash rates are particularly high. Sixteen year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age, including older teenagers.
Two factors in particular work against young drivers. One is their inexperience behind the wheel and the other is immaturity. Young drivers tend to overestimate their own driving abilities and, at the same time, underestimate the dangers on the road. Young beginners are more likely than older drivers to take risks such as speeding and, because of their inexperience behind the wheel, they’re a lot less able to cope with hazardous driving situations.
Distractions of any kind in the vehicle present even bigger problems. Teen passengers riding with beginners can increase the risk of a crash by distracting the driver and by creating peer pressure for the driver to take more risk behind the wheel.
Has graduated licensing reduced crashes?
Yes. Research indicates positive effects on the crash experience of young drivers in the United States as well as in other countries including Canada and New Zealand. US states that have adopted elements of graduated licensing have experienced crash reductions of about 10 to 30 percent.
A national study found that teen licensing laws rated good are associated with a 30 percent lower rate of fatal crashes per population of 15-17 year-olds, compared with licensing laws that are rated poor A similar study found that good-rated laws reduce the insurance collision claim rates of 16-year-olds by 20 percent These findings are consistent with the results of earlier national evaluations, which found that states with 3-stage graduated systems had fewer fatal crashes per population of 16 year-olds, compared with states without such systems.
This information has been adapted from IIHS