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Learners Permit Restrictions


Why The Restrictions?

The main reason why all states around the country use driving permit restrictions is the fact that learners permit holders don't have enough driving experience to be let out on the road lose. Lack of driving experience and failure to correctly judge and react upon an emergency situation on the road may have fatal consequences for both the learners permit holder and other drivers on the road. This is the reason why every state takes measures to limit the ability of the permit holders to operate motor vehicles and to reduce the number of casualties on the road.

Who Sets and Enforces the Driving Permit Rules

The permit rules are devised by the Department for Motor Vehicles and they vary from one state to another. The DMV also oversees you getting a drivers license or learners permit. The rules are then enforced by the State Police Department who monitors all driving offenses. If you are convicted of breaking the driver's permit rules, this will most likely result in you losing your driving privileges. Some exceptions to these rules are accepted, but they are very rare.

Age Dependent Learner Permit Restrictions

Teenagers belong to a high risk group when it comes to driving and this is why the learner's permit rules depend on your current age. Restrictions that apply to drivers under 18 years of age are usually governed by the graduated license system and are much stricter than the rules for those who are over 18 years old. Usually, the only restriction that must be observed by a driver who is 18 or older is supervised driving. The permit holder is not allowed to operate a motor vehicle unless accompanied by another licensed driver who must be at least 21 years old. Teenagers are usually subjected to a whole array of other passenger and curfew rules.

Common Permit Rules

Please remember that the driving permit restrictions vary between states, so make sure to check out your state drivers manual for the laws that apply in your case. The most common rules may include:

  • No night time driving. A curfew is set for teenagers to prevent them from operating a vehicle in a high-risk environment. The curfew usually covers the period from 11p.m. to 5a.m.
  • Passenger restrictions. This was implemented after a few studies have shown that presence of peers in the vehicle increases the chances of the driver's possible involvement in a traffic accident. The DMV reacted with permit rules that limit the number of teenage passengers in the vehicle, usually no more than one teenager other that the driver is allowed to be present. Exceptions can be made for the immediate family members.
  • Cell phone restrictions. No texting and no phone calls while behind the wheel. Talking on the phone is considered to be a highly distractive activity and will not be tolerated. As of recently, many states passed similar laws that prohibit even seasoned drivers to operate hand-held communication devices while driving.
  • Depending on your state of residence, some of the restrictions may be eliminated by taking a state-approved drivers education class.

    Apart from these drivers permit rules, there are also drivers license restrictions that apply to intermediate and provisional licenses.

    Applying for Learners Permit

    If you don't have your permit yet and are checking out the rules just to know what to expect in the future, you should start by applying for the learner's permit first. You can usually do so by visiting your local DMV office and taking a vision exam and a drivers permit test.

    If you want to pass the test the first time you take it, make sure to take some practice permit tests before you go in for the real thing.