DETROIT (AP) ? Michigan is preparing to enact new restrictions on teen drivers-in-training.
Law enforcement, insurance and education leaders gathered in East Lansing this week to explain the requirements that take effect March 30.
The new legislation limits how many passengers drivers with level 2 intermediate licenses can carry. They won?t be allowed to have more than one unrelated passenger under age 21 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian or they are driving to and from school events.
The law also prohibits new teen drivers from getting behind the wheel between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless they are driving to or from work. The previous law allowed them to drive until midnight.
The provisions update the state?s graduated driver?s license program, which was enacted in 1996.
Your thoughts?
Re: Teen driving restrictions
How long is the level 2 license in affect for new drivers? Is it one year?
I think these are reasonable restrictions. New drivers with a car full of distracting friends can be a bad situation.
Signed,
The girl who rear-ended someone as a 16 year old new driver who was distracted by her three friends in the car.
SS will be 16 this summer. He could have started drivers Ed at age 14 years 9 months, which I think is way to young.
I really can't say that I have a problem with the update to the law. It's a law that I'm not sure if they would be able to enforce. It sounds like more of an honor system type thing.
SS hasn't started driver's ed yet you 2 reasons. His GPA isn't where we want it to be (2.5 was what we agreed too) and it cost a whole lot of $$$$$. It isn't through the schools anymore you have to pay for a driving school.
I wonder how they are going to enforce this. Are they going to age profile everyone driving with more than one person in the car? I'm not saying I disagree, I just don't know how it's going to be done. What if you have a 22 y/o who looks 17 driving around a few teenagers?
Also I think 10:00 pm is a bit too strict IMO. I mean, when I was 17 I was able to be out until 10:30 pm or 11:00 pm on weekends and in the summer.
I think they should focus more on cell phone usage in the car.
Regarding enforcement...
I learned to drive on the graduated license with the previous enforcements. And if I remember correctly, they couldn't pull you over just because they suspected that you were too young to be driving after midnight (or whatever), but if they pulled you over for something else like speeding and found that you were too young to be out after midnight, than you would have a problem. Not sure if that's changed.
Also, I took driver's training when I was 14 years old and 9 months. On one hand, I think that was really young to be on the road. But on the other hand, it gave me over year of driving with my parents before I got my license, which I think is a very good thing.
I think the law will make most parents enforce tighter rules with their kids. Yes, you will still have kids that will not follow rules and parents that won't enforce the law with their kids, but a grreater number of kids will now be following these new guidelines because it is the LAW and not just a recommendation.
The last 2 accidents that DH & SS were in, both involved young girls. The first one was 2 girls in a car and the last one was a girl on the phone. Neither accident was DH's fault but having SS in car has made SS want to wait a bit to get his license.
I'm trying to get in the habit that is SS is in the car with me I have him verbally tell me what he thinks I should do. Stop. Go around. Slow down, speed up and because we have sticks when to shift or not.
Isn't level 2 the level from 16-18.
I agree with Kasa. I think these restrictions aren't too strict and really help to limit driver distraction.
I didn't specifically have a curfew, but then again I never did anything that warranted a curfew either. Anytime I was out late it was because I was working.
My Profile
Applying for a Standard Graduated Driver License
Level 1 Learner's License Eligibility
To be eligible for a Level 1 Learner's License, applicants must:
Level 2 Intermediate License Eligibility
To be eligible to apply for a Level 2 Intermediate License, applicants must:
Level 3 Full License Eligibility
To be eligible for a Level 3 Full License, applicants must:
A new Level 3 license is created and mailed from Lansing using the electronic image on file (obtained at Level 2). This license is issued at no-fee to the applicant. A teen will automatically advance to a Level 3 License provided he or she is age 17, has met all driving requirements, and has parental authorization. This authorization is granted when the parent or legal guardian signs for the teen's Level 2 License.
Smart. <<Filing away for future use>>