First Year Teen Rules

Teen Drivers License Rules and Exceptions

You must be accompanied and supervised by a licensed parent, guardian or other licensed driver 25 years of age or older or a licensed or certified driving instructor when you:

Transport passengers under 20 years of age at any time, for the first twelve months.                                                                                         

Drive between 11 pm and 5 am for the first twelve months. 

To determine if these restrictions apply to you, look at the date on your driver license.  The date printed just to the left of your photograph is the date these restrictions begin.  The new restrictions apply for 12 months following this date.  For example:  If the date on your license is May 7, 2005, you will have the above restrictions through May 7, 2006.  Violation of either restriction can result in a fine and/or community service.

Persons under 18 may not be employed to drive a motor vehicle. When you turn 18 years of age, the provisional part of your license ends. You may continue to drive as an adult using your photo license, which will expire on your 5th birthday after the date you applied.

When reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for you to drive, the law grants the following exceptions for minors to drive between 11 pm and 5 am or to transport an immediate family member unaccompanied and unsupervised.

The law allows the following exceptions when reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for you to drive. A signed note must be kept in your possession for any of these exceptions explaining the necessity and the date when the driving necessity will end (except emancipated minors).

Medical necessity when reasonable transportation alternatives are inadequate. The note must be signed by your physician, and contain the diagnosis and probable date of recovery.

Schooling or school-authorized activity. The note must be signed by your school principal, dean, or his/her designee.

Employment necessity and the need to operate a vehicle as part of your employment. The note must be signed by your employer verifying employment.

Your necessity or the necessity of an immediate family member. The note must be signed by your parent or legal guardian.

If you are an emancipated minor, no documentation is needed. However, you must have already declared yourself emancipated and provided DMV with Proof of Financial Responsibility (SR 1P) in lieu of your guarantors’ signatures.

You CANNOT have other friends in your car before you are 17 UNLESS THEY ARE OVER 20 .  You need to have your license for 12 months BEFORE you can drive with any of your friends.  There is no exception to this rule.  They say above that you cannot be employed to drive a motor vehicle which, when you read the law, eliminates the ability for your employer to write a note stating you need a car.  This is a grey area at best.  Can your employer sign that you need a car to get to work because the bus doesn’t go at the right time?  Can you run errands while being employed?  Can I drive if my work says I need to work till 11:00pm?  We are researching these answers because the law changes every year and while we cannot give an answer to these questions the way to interpet the law is – unless it is clear that you can – DON’T!