What Is A Graduated Driver’s License? | Defensive Driving School

What Is A Graduated Driver’s License?

What Is A Graduated Driver's License?

Driving is a huge milestone in life, and many teenagers look forwards to it with considerable anticipation.

By instituting a stage of graduated licensing between the issuance of a learner’s permit and the granting of a full license, an effort is made to reduce the risks faced by new drivers.

Statistics on vehicular collisions provide light on the elevated dangers faced by and posed by inexperienced drivers. It is the reason why driving lessons for teens are very important.

To What Extent Does It Help Teens Become Safer Drivers?

A graduated driver’s licensing (GDL) program is an initiative to make young drivers safer. Typically, the training consists of three phases covering managing adverse driving conditions, hostile drivers, automobile breakdowns, and more.

Permits for newly licensed teenage drivers are typically the first step in these processes. It implies that kids can only get behind the wheel if accompanied by an adult with their license. It’s a necessary step before the adolescent may get their provisional license. So, there are low-risk driving situations in which they can go alone.

However, they cannot drive at night or with other minors in the car. After completing all the rigorous steps, the motorist is given a full license and may drive anywhere.
Always remember that the specific criteria and course offerings of each state’s GDL program may change.

The Value of a graduated driver’s license Curriculum

As a result of their success in reducing fatal collisions among novice drivers, many states have implemented GDL programs. To help young drivers under the age of 18 gain experience and confidence on the road, graduated driving licensing (GDL) programs were first introduced in 2002.

Limits on driving at night and with passengers are standard in graduated driver licensing schemes and have been shown to reduce accidents and fatalities. Nighttime and distracted driving accidents were more common before GDL measures were implemented. For this reason, new legislation was enacted in the late 1990s.

The use of handheld mobile devices while operating a motor vehicle has been outlawed in several jurisdictions, and intermediate drivers in some areas must avoid the roads at night.

Last but not least, GDL programs save lives by increasing young drivers’ experience and decreasing fatal automobile accidents. Most GDL programs include a three-part progression to gradually increase teens’ driving experience.

Guidelines for Obtaining a Graduated Driver’s License

Getting a graduate driver’s license doesn’t have to be a stressful ordeal. If you stick to these five simple steps, you’ll be done quickly and easily.

New teen drivers in Illinois should keep these regulations in mind. Anybody above the age of 18 or from outside of the state is subject to further restrictions.

Take 30 hours of driver’s education classes, spend 6 hours behind the wheel with a certified instructor, and spend 6 hours observing other drivers in action.

You must have completed at least 50 hours of driving time under the supervision of a licensed adult at least 21 years old. A competent adult must record and approve these hours.

You can take the exam for your graduated driver’s license at the DMV once you have held your learner’s permit for nine months and are 16 years old.

The fourth and last step is a road test using an actual vehicle. To proceed with this section, you will need a car that is both legal and in good working order. In this section, you’ll put your classroom knowledge to the test by demonstrating your ability to start the car, move it forward and backward, turn, park in various spaces, and follow traffic laws.

When you’ve passed, you’ll get your photo taken, and your graduated driver’s license will be on its way to you.