New Changes to Teen Driving
Laws
Effective June 22,
2006, PA 94-0897 strengthens the Illinois Graduated Driver's
License program by increasing the amount of practice time to 50
hours, including 10 hours of night driving, young drivers will need
before being able to obtain a driver's license. This new law
requires the parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult to
provide written consent at the time of driver's license application
verifying the teen is sufficiently prepared and able to safely
operate a motor vehicle.
Effective January 1,
2006, PA 94-0241 Each driver under the age of 18 years and
each of the driver's passengers under the age of 19 years (changed
from 18) shall wear a safety belt.
Effective January 1,
2004, the GDL law will change to reflect new passenger
limitations for beginning teen drivers. For the first six
months of a person's license or until the driver is age 18,
whichever occurs first, the number of passengers in a vehicle
is limited to one person under the age of 20, unless the
additional passenger(s) is a sibling, step-sibling, child or
step-child of the driver. These restrictions reduce the
likelihood a driver will be distracted by a car full of fellow
teens.
A conviction for this offense (Section
6-107(g) of the Illinois Vehicle Code) will be entered to the
driving record as a non-point assigned violation, similar to a
seat belt violation, and is not used to initiate any license
sanction by this office.
For more information on the GDL program, see
our
GDL publications.
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BETTER TRAINING
for
NEW RESPONSIBILITIES |
Getting a driver's permit or license is one of
the most exciting events in a teenager's life. But along with this
new privilege comes a lot of responsibility.
Although teenagers make up only six percent of
Illinois drivers, they account for 16 percent of all crash
fatalities. The Graduated Licensing System gets young people who
have proven to be poor drivers off the road and into further
training, and keeps parents more involved in preparing their teens
to drive responsibly.
Permit Phase Drivers Age
15
- Parental consent necessary to obtain permit
- Must be enrolled in approved driver education course and must
pass vision and knowledge tests
- Permit is valid for two years and must be held for a minimum
of three months before a license is granted
- Practice driving must be supervised by parent or adult age 21
or older
- All occupants under age 18 must wear safety belts
- Number of passengers limited to one in front seat and to the
number of safety belts in back seat
- 11 p.m. curfew Sunday-Thursday; midnight Friday and Saturday
(local curfews may differ)
- Legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is .00
Sanctions
- Limit of one court supervision for serious offenses
- Unlicensed individuals convicted of a serious moving violation
must continue to drive on a learner's permit for six months before
obtaining license
- Not eligible for a restricted driving permit or a judicial
driving permit
- Individuals age 15 and under caught driving without a permit
ineligible to obtain license until age 18
Initial Licensing Phase -
Drivers Age 16-17
- Parental consent required to obtain license; parent must
verify that a minimum 50 hours of behind-the- wheel practice,
including 10 hours at nighttime, have taken place
- Provide written parental consent verifying the teen is
sufficiently prepared and able to safely operate a motor vehicle.
- All occupants under age 18 must wear safety belts
- As of January 1, 2004, limited to one passenger under the age
of 20 for the first six months following issuance of the license,
or until the driver reaches age 18, whichever occurs first.
Siblings, stepsiblings, children and stepchildren of the driver
are exempt. Number of passengers limited to one in front seat and
to the number of safety belts in back seat.
- As of July 15, 2005, prohibits the use of cell phones for
drivers under the age of 18, unless it is for emergency purposes.
- 11 p.m. curfew Sunday-Thursday; midnight Friday and Saturday
only for 16-year-olds
- Legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is
.00
Sanctions
- Limit of one court supervision for serious offenses
- Conviction of any moving violation before age 18 generates
Secretary of State warning letter to parent and teen
- Conviction of two moving violations in a 24-month period
results in a minimum one-month suspension. Suspension length is
determined by seriousness of the offenses and the driver's prior
driving history.
- Suspended drivers required to attend remedial driver education
course, pay $70 reinstatement fee, and be retested
Full Licensing Phase -
Drivers 18-20
- Legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit is
.00
Sanctions
- Limit of one court supervision for serious offenses
- Conviction of two moving violations in 24-month period results
in a minimum one-month suspension. Suspension length is determined
by seriousness of the offenses and the driver's prior driving
history.
- Suspended drivers required to pay $70 reinstatement fee
Frequently Asked
Questions
Does a graduated driver licensing system raise
the minimum age at which an individual may apply for a driver’s
license?
Absolutely not. Under "Graduate to Safety," 16
remains the age at which a teen that has successfully completed
driver education may apply for a driver’s license. The graduated
system establishes additional training requirements during the
instruction permit phase, resulting in better-trained 16-year-old
drivers.
Have graduated driver-licensing systems been
effective in other states and is it necessary in
Illinois?
Yes. Graduated driver licensing systems have proven
effective in reducing the number of traffic crashes and convictions
among young people in other states. In Illinois teenagers make up
only 6 percent of the total driving population, yet account for 16
percent of all automobile deaths. Maryland has seen a 5 percent
reduction in automobile crashes and a 10 percent reduction in
traffic convictions. California has experienced a 4 percent
reduction in automobile crashes and a 20 percent reduction in
convictions. Through "Graduate to Safety," teen drivers receive more
training, and those who prove to be unsafe drivers are taken off the
road for additional training before they can become fully
licensed.
Why does "Graduate to Safety" limit the number
of passengers in a car driven by a teen?
Drivers in the
permit phase (age 15) and the initial licensing phase (ages 16 and
17) are limited to one passenger in the front seat and the number of
safety belts in the back seat. After January 1, 2004 the new initial
license holder will be limited to only one passenger under the age
of twenty during the first six months of their license or until the
license holder reaches the age of 18, whichever occurs first. These
restrictions reduce the likelihood a driver will be distracted by a
car full of fellow teens. Limiting the number of passengers to the
number of safety belts also helps to ensure that everyone in the
vehicle is properly restrained.
How will the "limit of one passenger under age
20" rule work for the teenager that receives their license prior to
January of 2004?
A teenager (16 or 17 years old) receiving
their initial license prior to January 1, 2004 will be restricted
after the effective date of January 1, for the remainder of the six
months from issuance of that license. For example, if the under 18
year old driver was issued a license on Sept. 7, 2003 they would
need to comply with the only one passenger under 20 rule from
January 1, 2004 until March 7, 2004.
Will this prevent my 16-year-old teenager from
driving their brother, sister and cousin to events?
The
brother and sister (siblings) will not count; they are exempt under
this law. The cousin, if under the age of 20 will be counted as the
one passenger.
If required passengers are not belted in the
vehicle while my teenager is driving who will be cited?
If
the driver is under age 18 they will be cited for the violation if
anyone under age 18 is unrestrained in the vehicle. It is the
discretion of the officer to cite passengers over age 16 (and under
age 18) in the back seat. Any passenger over age 16 in the front
seat will be cited.
Publications & Forms
Illinois'
Graduated Driver Licensing System -- "Graduate To Safety"
50
Hour Certification Log
Affidavit
/ Consent For Minor To Drive
Contact Us
For more information on "Graduate to Safety,"
write
Office of the Secretary of State
Division of Traffic
Safety
2701 S. Dirksen Parkway
Springfield, IL 62723 |
