GDL Laws And Teen Drivers

Parents work hard to protect their children from harm, and having a teenager learn how to drive can be difficult as parents want to give kids a chance to exhibit their independence but also keep them safe from accident risks. These parental worries about car accidents are not unfounded, teen drivers are at the highest risk for accidents.

Because teens are more at risk for accidents, a graduated driver licensing system has been put in place throughout the United States. The program is designed to provide young drivers with a path to safely gaining experience before they are granted full driving privileges. There are many laws in connection with drivers of every age, a Delray Beach personal injury attorney is up to date on all laws should you ever be involved in a collision.

Graduated Driver Licensing In Florida

Statewide licensing laws are in place to assist teen drivers in acquiring the experience they need to navigate roads safely. The following are the graduated driver licensing rules in the state of Florida.

• Learner stage, possible at 15 years old. This is a period of supervised driving which culminates in a driving test.
• Intermediate stage, possible at 16 years old. Unsupervised driving is allowed, but high risk situations are limited.
• Full driving privilege stage, possible at 18 years old. This is when a standard state driver’s license can be issued.

As a parent, you can familiarize yourself with all of the teen restrictions that are in place, allowing you to enforce the rules set by the state’s graduated driver licensing laws. Requiring seat belt use, prohibiting electronic devices and restricting passengers or night driving is advised.

Parents Can Support Teens While They Learn

While there are driver education classes within a teen’s school curriculum, parents can support a teen’s learning process by riding with them regularly and correcting mistakes before they solidify into bad habits. When you observe your teen driving, you can recognize any weak points they have and correct them. For example, maybe they forget to check their blindspot when leaving a parking spot. Letting them know this could help them avoid a collision in the future.

Additionally, remember that there are a range of situations s teen drivers may be unfamiliar with. While adults who have been driving for years may naturally adjust their driving habits in bad weather, a teen will need to learn how to do this, such as learning how to navigate wet roads safely.

While you can’t be with your teenager every day, all day, you can share your knowledge with them during teachable moments, such as when they are learning to drive and you are sitting in the passenger seat.

Are you in need of guidance about teen driving laws? Talk to the knowledgeable attorneys at Earnhart Law in Delray Beach. Our legal professionals have over 30 years of experience handling personal injury cases, we understand the ins and outs of Florida law. To have your questions answered, call 561-265-2220 or contact us online.