New MN Teen Driving Laws
June 24, 2008
During the recent legislative session, the Minnesota Legislature strengthened the state’s laws for newly licensed teen drivers. These laws are meant to help teens improve their driving skills during the first year of licensure by reducing exposure to two high-risk situations: carrying teen passengers and driving at night.
Minnesota teen drivers are overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes each year — due to driver inexperience, distractions, nighttime driving, speeding and lack of seat belt.
A nighttime driving limitation during the first six months of licensure prohibits teens from driving from midnight to 5 a.m. — unless the teen is driving when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Other exceptions include driving between home and place of employment; driving to/from home and a school event for which the school has not provided transportation; or driving for employment purposes.
The nighttime limitation is lifted after the first six months of licensure.
There are also new teen passenger limitations. For the first six months of licensure only one passenger under the age of 20 is permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. During the second six months of licensure, no more than three passengers under the age of 20 are permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Passengers under age 20 who are members of the immediate family are permitted for both periods.
These two provisions go into effect August 1, 2008, but also apply to teens licensed before August 1. As a result, a teen licensed on July 1 has five months and a subsequent six months of limitation requirements, rather than starting the limitation time periods anew on August 1. Violating these laws is a misdemeanor.
Although these laws are a step in the right direction, Safe Communities of Wright County urges parents to consider if these restrictions are enough for their teen drivers. While limiting nighttime driving from midnight to 5 a.m. is a start, parents should know that the peak of night time driving crashes for teens is from 9 p.m. to midnight. Well before the restriction goes into place. Safe Communities of Wright County recommends a 9 p.m. driving curfew for the first few months until driving skills are more fully developed.
Likewise with the teen passenger limitation, the law is a start, but Safe Communities of Wright County would recommend stronger parental restrictions. According to a John Hopkins Study, the addition of just one passenger along with a teen driver increases crash risk by 39%. The addition of 3 passengers increases crash risk increases by nearly 200%. Parents of teen drivers are encouraged to totally restrict any passengers for the first few months of driving until their driving skills can be more fully developed. Then, slowly add passengers as teens gain experience behind the wheel.
For more information on teen driving, including a downloadable Parent-Teen Driving Contract, visit www.safecommunitiesofwrightcounty.org.
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Minnesota teen drivers are overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes each year — due to driver inexperience, distractions, nighttime driving, speeding and lack of seat belt.
A nighttime driving limitation during the first six months of licensure prohibits teens from driving from midnight to 5 a.m. — unless the teen is driving when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Other exceptions include driving between home and place of employment; driving to/from home and a school event for which the school has not provided transportation; or driving for employment purposes.
The nighttime limitation is lifted after the first six months of licensure.
There are also new teen passenger limitations. For the first six months of licensure only one passenger under the age of 20 is permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. During the second six months of licensure, no more than three passengers under the age of 20 are permitted, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Passengers under age 20 who are members of the immediate family are permitted for both periods.
These two provisions go into effect August 1, 2008, but also apply to teens licensed before August 1. As a result, a teen licensed on July 1 has five months and a subsequent six months of limitation requirements, rather than starting the limitation time periods anew on August 1. Violating these laws is a misdemeanor.
Although these laws are a step in the right direction, Safe Communities of Wright County urges parents to consider if these restrictions are enough for their teen drivers. While limiting nighttime driving from midnight to 5 a.m. is a start, parents should know that the peak of night time driving crashes for teens is from 9 p.m. to midnight. Well before the restriction goes into place. Safe Communities of Wright County recommends a 9 p.m. driving curfew for the first few months until driving skills are more fully developed.
Likewise with the teen passenger limitation, the law is a start, but Safe Communities of Wright County would recommend stronger parental restrictions. According to a John Hopkins Study, the addition of just one passenger along with a teen driver increases crash risk by 39%. The addition of 3 passengers increases crash risk increases by nearly 200%. Parents of teen drivers are encouraged to totally restrict any passengers for the first few months of driving until their driving skills can be more fully developed. Then, slowly add passengers as teens gain experience behind the wheel.
For more information on teen driving, including a downloadable Parent-Teen Driving Contract, visit www.safecommunitiesofwrightcounty.org.
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On June 02, 2009 KrisBelucci said:
"Hi, good post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for posting."