What is a Graduated Driver's License?

The GDL is an intermediate stage between holding a learner's 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!

What are the benefits?

States that have passed these kinds of graduated licensing programs have saved lives. Their overall crash rates are down anywhere from eight to 36 percent. California has seen an approximate 20 percent reduction.

In October, 2006, AAA Arizona commissioned Behavior Research Center to conduct a poll to measure the attitudes of Arizona residents toward new teenaged drivers and the appeal of certain driver restrictions on these drivers.

This report is based on 800 interviews conducted with adult heads of households throughout Arizona.

Below are the top-level results of the study:

• Nearly 70 percent of respondents surveyed considered teenage drivers to have “poor” or “only fair” driving habits.

• 75 percent of respondents would support teen driving restrictions if the new restrictions reduced the crash rates involving teen drivers.

• 81 percent of respondents favor nighttime restrictions from midnight to 5:00 a.m., unless for religious, school or employment purposes

• 76 percent favor raising the number of supervised driving hours from 25 to 30.

• 65 percent favor raising the age of the supervising driver from 18 to 25 years.

• 64 percent support passenger restrictions for the first six months of driving.

• 55 percent of respondents agree that state law should govern what restrictions will be applied on new teen drivers.

Teenage Driver Safety Act FAQs