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Parents not familiar with teen driving restrictions

The Department of Motor Vehicle Safety urges parents of newly registered drivers to know the rules of the road for teens. A recent survey showed that the passenger and curfew restrictions for young drivers are unknown or misunderstood by many parents.

On-the-road test appointments are mandatory for those under the age of 18 who have held a learner's permit for one year and one day. A recent survey of parents calling the DMVS reservation system to secure appointments for their children showed 20 percent were not aware of the midnight-6 a.m. curfew for Class D license holders. Twenty percent of those surveyed did not know that a Class D driver may not have any passengers in the vehicle that are not family members for the first six months that they are licensed. Fifty-three percent of those asked did not know that after the first six months a Class D driver may not have more than three passengers in the vehicle under the age of 21 who are not immediate family members.

A newly passed law requires all drivers under the age of 18 to be enrolled in high school, graduated from high school, enrolled in a state approved home school program or must be working to achieve a GED. Many traffic or school conduct infractions are mandatory license suspensions. A student can have no more than ten unexcused school absences to obtain or keep a learner's permit or driver's license.

"I would like to urge every parent of a young driver to know and understand the teen driving requirements. Review the Georgia Driver's Manual as your child prepares for the exam. As parents we must continuously monitor a new driver's skills and maturity and insist that they obey all the rules of the road," said James R. Davis, DMVS Commissioner.

For more information, visit www.dmvs.ga.gov.