The Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act directly addresses the leading killer of our young people-traffic crashes. The law significantly changes the way young motorists earn and maintain the privilege of driving by providing a controlled means for new drivers to gain experience and by reducing high-risk driving situations. While the law does focus on young drivers, it also contains important provisions that affect drivers over 21, particularly in the area of DUI prevention and enforcement.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EARNING A LICENSE
The Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act establishes graduated driver licensing for Georgians between the ages of 15 to 18, with three separate classifications.
Step 1: Instructional Permit(Class P)
This is granted to 15 year-olds upon passage of a written examination. While driving, the permit holder must be accompanied by a licensed (Class C) adult 21 years or older.
Step 2: Intermediate License(Class D)
This License is granted to drivers between 16 and 18 years of age who have held an Instructional Permit for 12 months and passed a comprehensive on road driving test. The Intermediate License has the following restrictions:
* No driving between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. "No Exceptions"
* No driving with any non-family passengers under the age of 21 for the first 6
months.
* On and after January 1, 2002, anyone who obtains an initial class D license must have completed:
1. An approved driver education course and a cumulative total of at least 20 hours of supervised driving (6 hours at night).
--or--
2. A cumulative total of at least 40 hours of supervised driving (6 hours at night).
These requirements also apply to an applicant for an initial Class C license who has not previously been issued a Class D license.
Step 3: Full License (Class C)
For drivers 18 years of age or older who hold a Class D license, this license is granted if there have been no major traffic convictions for the previous 12 months.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT VIOLATIONS OF DUI LAW
A driver can only move to the next level if he or she has completed 12 consecutive months without a conviction for one or more of the following:
·DUI
·Eluding a police officer
·Drag racing
·Reckless driving
·Hit and run
·Any moving violation for which four or more points are assessed.
Suspension of License
If a driver under the age of 21 is convicted for any of the following offenses, their license will be suspended for 6 months (1st offense) or 12 months (2nd offense).
·DUI
·Eluding or attempting to elude a police officer
·Racing
·Reckless driving
·Hit and run
·Leaving the scene of an accident
·Purchase of an alcoholic beverage
·Any moving violation for which four or more points are assessed
·For drivers under age 18, a violation point count of four or more points in a 12-month period will also result in a suspension
·Any DUI conviction in which the drivers' blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 grams or higher will result in a 12-month suspension, even if it is the first offense
For more information contact:
Governor's Office of Highway Safety, (404)656-6996 or 1-888-420-0767, Fax: (404) 651-9107.
Debbie Wilburn is County Agent/Family and Consumer Science Agent with the Hall (770)535-8290 and the Forsyth (770)887-2418 County Extension Service.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/6/193949