Citation

Williams AF, Weinberg K, Fields M, Ferguson SA. J. Saf. Res. 1996; 27(2): 93-101.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, U.S. National Safety Council, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In the United States there are few restrictions on where, when, and with whom young people can drive once licensed, and thus the learning period prior to licensing is important. An assessment was made of the requirements for obtaining a license in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. There is substantial variation in prelicensure requirements, and many jurisdictions allow a quick and easy route through the learning phase. Only 30 jurisdictions require that a learner's permit be obtained; only 11 of these require the permit to be held for a minimum period, ranging from 14 to 90 days. Driver education prior to licensure is required in 26 states. Fourteen states have neither permit nor driver education requirements. Requiring supervised learner's permit periods of several months is one method to encourage sufficient supervised driving experience prior to licensure, and it is an essential component of a graduated licensing system.