GDL | Tools to Assist Parents
Graduated Driver Licensing
As of July 1, 2008 anyone under the age of 18, getting their license for the first time will hold a graduated driver's license for the first six months after their learner's permit phase.
What was the past law? Prior to July 1, 2008, when a teen turned 16 years old they were eligible to receive an unrestricted class G license if:
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They had completed 25 hours of supervised training with five hours of night driving (now 30 hours with 10 hours at night).
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They had held their permit for at least five months (now six months).
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They had not had any traffic violations or crashes.
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Their parents agreed that they are ready to drive.
Teens could get their permit when they were 15 and seven months (now 15 and six months). During the permit phase, the driver needed to be accompanied by someone over 18 years old (now 21 years old). There were no passenger or nighttime restrictions.
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What is a Graduated Drivers License?
The GDL is an intermediate stage between holding an instruction permit and a full license. With the graduated license there are restrictions on how and when a teen can drive. The GDL has two main components: nighttime restrictions and passenger restrictions.
Why nighttime restrictions?
Driving at night is the most dangerous time for teen drivers. In fact, a teen's risk of crashing doubles between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Although most of a teen's driving is done during the day, 41 percent of fatal crashes involving teenagers occur at nighttime. The bottom line: states that reduce nighttime driving in teens show crash reductions of up to 60 percent during those restricted hours.
Why passenger restrictions?
It's simple! The crash risks for teenage drivers skyrocket when passengers are in the car. With one passenger, the crash risk for teen drivers doubles. With three or more passengers, the crash risk for teen drivers quadruples!
How does it affect my teen?
For new sixteen or seventeen year-old drivers, they will carry a graduated driver license for the first six months. This will mean she can only carry one passenger (other than family members). Also, with a GDL, she will not be allowed to drive from midnight until 5:00 a.m. Exemptions can be made for work, school or church activities. If a teen has a clean record (no crashes or violations) after six months she can get her full license.
What if my teen gets a ticket?
A citation for a moving violation will cost you in several ways. First, tickets can be expensive, especially when you factor in an increase in insurance. Also, depending on the severity of the violation, your teen's license can be suspended or the GDL period can be extended.
What other tools does AAA offer to assist parents with their new teen drivers?
AAA offers several tools to assist parents with their new teen drivers including the Parent-Teen Contract (65.8KB)  , Parent to Parent Contract (83.4KB) , Teaching Your Teens to Drive (CD-Rom), Driver-Zed (CD-Rom) and Dare to Prepare, a pre-permit workshop that walks you through the steps necessary to obtain a permit and a driver's license in the state of Arizona. It will also provide guidance and useful tools to help you and your teen go through the learning-to-drive process.
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