Navigating through today's drivers education
Author: Caren Cramer

Learning to drive in today’s fast-paced world can be a daunting and stressful lesson for teens and parents. There are many reasons for this, least of all the tragic realities.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among those ages 15 to 27. Additional statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention further underscore a solemn reality:
• Crash risk is particularly high during the first year teenagers are eligible to drive (IIHS 2006).
• In the U.S. during 2004, 4,767 individuals ages 16 to 19 died of injuries caused by motor vehicle crashes. (CDC 2006).
• The risk of motor vehicle crashes is higher among 16- to 19-year-olds than among any other age group. In fact, per mile driven, drivers ages 16 to 19 are four times more likely than older drivers to crash (IIHS 2006).
• Sixteen year-olds’ fatal crashes are more likely to occur when other teenagers are in the car. The risk increases with every additional passenger.
• About 2 of every 3 teenagers killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2005 were males (IIHS 2006).
• In 2005, half of teen deaths from motor vehicle crashes occurred between 3 p.m. and midnight and 54 percent occurred on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays (IIHS 2006).

Getting started
“Start thinking about your own behavior behind the wheel two to three years before your teen starts to drive,” says 1st Sgt. Chris Sasse of the Frederick barrack of the Maryland State Police. “Kids will play monkey see, monkey do, and parents should look at their own driving habits and ask themselves ‘Am I doing what’s right?’”
Another technique recommended by Sasse is to discuss “what-if” scenarios with your teen: “As you are driving, ask your teen about situations that may arise if they were driving. What if that car pulls out, what would you do?”
Go through these possible situations before teens get behind the wheel of a vehicle, Sasse says.
“By listening to their answers, you learn what they know and what they don’t know. You can also offer other ideas for how to handle a situation,” Sasse says.

Graduated drivers licensing
A major campaign gaining acceptance throughout the United States impacts the ability to obtain a full drivers license before the age of 17. Since 1999, 47 states, including Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia, have adopted some form of graduated drivers licensing programs (GDLs). Maryland and West Virginia each have three levels: permit, provisional or intermediate license, and a full license. Virginia has two levels – a permit and a full driver’s license.
To stay informed of changes to driving laws or to learn about your state’s GDL program, check your local Department of Motor Vehicles or Motor Vehicle Administration Web site (see box for Web addresses).
GDLs already have been found to have a positive effect on some of the tragic statistics associated with young drivers. According to a 2005 study by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, graduated drivers licensing programs reduce, by an average of 11 percent, the incidence of fatal crashes of 16-year-old drivers. Maryland’s Motor Vehicle Administration reports, for instance, that collisions among young drivers have dropped 42 percent since adopting the GDLs in 1999.

A lot to learn
Driver-education requirements differ from state to state, as do many laws and restrictions. Each state requires a certain number of hours of classroom instruction, as well as a minimum number of hours with hands-on driving instruction from organizations that meet “state-certified driving education” programs. (Links to the state-certified driving education programs can be found on each state’s motor vehicle administration Web site.)
Driver-education programs remain a part of the high school curriculum in Virginia and West Virginia. Like programs at private or commercial schools, these high school classes meet state requirements for driver education. Maryland stopped offering driver-education programs in public schools at least 20 years ago. Students now must rely on privately run, state-certified driver-education programs.
No matter where new drivers receive their instruction, parent involvement remains a critical key to teens developing into confident, safe drivers.
“Most parents take an active role in the process,” says Lynn Knotts, a driver-education instructor for the Frederick branch of the A.Widmyer Driving School. Knotts says that on day one, students learn about parents’ roles and rights in their classroom instruction.
“Parents exercise lots of authority in this process,” says Sasse, encouraging parents to learn about their responsibilities, along with the authority they have in this process. “A parent can create their own written contract with their teenager. A contract can be very helpful by setting up various parameters of driver conduct, family rules, curfews, etc., and violating these conditions by their teen driver will cause the parent to enact their authority by removing their privilege to drive temporarily or more permanently. This is in addition to any actions or restrictions MVA may take against the new driver.”
For new drivers younger than 18, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia require parental approval throughout the learning-to-drive phases.
Virginia’s Department of Motor Vehicles Web site puts it this way: “Driving is not a right for teens. It’s a privilege parents grant to teens.”
Sasse offers this example as the extent of parents’ authority: “(In Maryland) Parents can contact MVA to revoke a teens’ ability to drive based on certain factors, like failure to buckle up.”
Knotts references the waiver parents sign saying, “If a parent revokes their waiver, MVA can revoke driving privileges.”
In Virginia, parents can prevent a child from participating in the hands-on portion of the school driver-education program.
Parents and teens must review and understand the changes in laws impacting new drivers, such as use of cell phones, curfews and passenger restrictions.
Sasse suggests parents and teens discuss “distracters to driving” such as MP3 players, the radio/CD player and passengers. For instance, Maryland and Virginia have passed laws making it illegal for anyone younger than 18 to use a cell phone – even with hands- free devices — while operating a moving vehicle, except when contacting 911 in an emergency once the car is legally parked or stopped. Restrictions like these and others have been developed with the overall safety of young and inexperienced drivers in mind, as well as the safety of other drivers on the road.
West Virginia high school students will learn to safely and efficiently operate a motor vehicle through its 21st Century Driver Education Curriculum, which combines educational technology tools with relevant curriculum content. According to the West Virginia Department of Education Web site, the curriculum exposes students to a range of topics that include basic vehicle maneuvers, the legal and financial responsibilities of being a driver, and driver fitness tasks. Here, students explore “the physical, psychological and emotional factors” and their relationship to a person’s ability to safely operate a car, such as drunken driving consequences and road rage.
Similarly, Virginia’s Department of Education established its standardized program for driver education for public, private and commercial schools in 2001. Curriculum overviews found on the department’s Web site explain how “students must apply concepts learned behind a desk to the realities of driving behind the wheel” through classroom instruction and hands-on training. The “2001 Curriculum and Administrative Guide for Driver Education in Virginia” incorporates the latest safety technologies found in today’s vehicles, such as anti-lock braking systems and traction control systems to reduce tire skid. Learning to maneuver wheel skids isn’t easy, especially for a new driver unfamiliar with how the safety systems can help.
Virginia residents younger than 19 must complete a state-approved driver-education program as part of the licensing process.
“At age 15, Maryland students come to drivers education – that’s prior to getting their learner’s permit,” which they can’t get until they are 15 years and 9 months old, explains Knotts. “Students are only permitted to drive with a certified instructor in a car equipped with dual brake controls prior to getting the permit.”
He acknowledges that many youths have already had some “private-property experiences” before they enter private classes. “You can tell which kids have driven something – like tractors, farm vehicles and such,” he says.
Knotts encourages teens to understand that rules are “more strict with new drivers” and any accumulation of violations or points resets time deadlines.
“If you get a violation on the last day of your provisional license period, the clock goes back to the beginning and you start over,” says Knotts.
He describes ways parents can complement the formal driving education teens receive: “Ask student drivers to tell you want they see in different situations,” he says. “Watch their eyes. Driving is a multi-task activity where eyes need to be moving, so pay attention to their eyes. You can learn from watching your student, too.”

Tools for success
Parents and teens today can find a multitude of tools to minimize stress and maximize success in the driver-education process. New driver requirements and restrictions can be found at every state motor vehicle office.
In Maryland, parents can reference “The Rookie Driver” program in print and online. They can learn about the Parent-Teen Driving Agreement, Bill of Rights for Drivers Education Students and Rookie Drivers Skills Log and Practice Guide. These are just a few of the documents available for parents and teens.
Online access to all of these is available through www.mva.state.md.us. Additionally, www.parentsofyoungdrivers.com provides tools designed for Maryland parents of young drivers.
In Virginia, the publication “Parents in the Driver’s Seat” offers a complete overview of the teenage laws and licensing process for new drivers, including responsibilities, rights, restrictions and requirements for teens and parents. An online version of this can viewed at www.dmv.state.va.us. Click on “publications – teenage laws.”
Knotts also reminds parents to look into what impact a new driver will have on their auto insurance.
“Some insurance companies will give a discount rate if a new driver graduates from a certified course, maintains good grades in high school and doesn’t have any tickets or accidents,” he says. “Parents want kids to drive, but want them to do it responsibly.”

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Overview of requirements for new
drivers in the Tri-State area (Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia)

MARYLAND
(www.mva.state.md.us)
REQUIREMENTS FOR LEARNER’S PERMIT
 Minimum age for applicants is 15 years, 9 months.
 A parent or guardian must co-sign the learner’s permit application if the applicant is younger than 18.
 Applicants must pass all required tests.
 While driving, learner’s permit holders must be accompanied by a qualified supervising driver who is 21 years or older and has held a license for a minimum of three years. The person must be seated beside the new driver at all times, with no other front-seat occupants.
 A qualified supervising driver (parent, guardian or mentor) must complete a practice skills log for the learner’s permit holder, which is issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) along with every learner’s permit.
 Learner’s permits are valid for one year from the date they are issued.
 Learner’s permit holders younger than 18 are prohibited from using a wireless communication device (including a cell phone) while operating a motor vehicle, except to make an emergency 911 call. Violations may result in a suspension of driving privileges.

A provisional license is the next stage of the rookie driver graduated licensing system process. After gaining experience driving with a learner’s permit for six months, maintaining a conviction-free driving record and completing a standardized driver-education course, new drivers are eligible for a provisional license.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROVISIONAL LICENSE
 Minimum age is 16 years, 3 months.
 Applicants must submit a driver-education certificate, proof they have successfully completed a standardized driver-education course.
 A qualified supervising driver (parent, guardian or mentor) must submit a completed and signed practice skills log documenting a minimum of 60 hours of supervised driving for applicants. A qualified supervising driver is a licensed driver, 21 years of age or older, with at least three years of driving experience. At least 10 of the practice hours must occur during the period beginning 30 minutes before sunset and ending 30 minutes after sunrise.
 Your driver’s skills test for a provisional license must be scheduled in advance by calling 1-888-212-4709. Applicants must pass a skills test administered either in traffic or on a course.
 Provisional license holders younger than 18 are only authorized to drive without supervision between the hours of 5 a.m. and midnight. From midnight to 5 a.m., they must be accompanied by a supervising driver who is 21 or older and has held a license for a minimum of three years.
 Provisional license holders younger than 18, during the first five months (151 days) of the provisional period, are not allowed to have passengers younger than 18, unless accompanied by a qualified supervising driver or if the passengers are direct family members. Direct family members can be a spouse, daughter, son, stepdaughter, stepson, sister, brother, stepsister or stepbrother of the provisional license holder, or a relative of the license holder who lives at the same address.
 Convictions or Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) for moving violations while holding a provisional license call for the completion of a driver-improvement program and/or the suspension/revocation of a driver’s license. Convictions also restart the 18-month minimum waiting period.
 Provisional license holders younger than 18 are restricted from driving between midnight and 5 a.m. unless:
 The driver is accompanied or supervised by a licensed driver, 21 years of age or older, with at least three years of driving experience.
 The driver is driving to, from or during employment.
 The driver is driving to or from an official school activity.
 The driver is driving to or from an organized volunteer program.
 The driver is driving to or from an athletic event in which he or she participated or a related training session.

CONVERTING TO A FULL DRIVER’S LICENSE
 The minimum age for conversion is 17 years, 9 months.
 Provisional license holders younger than 18 must have the application co-signed by a parent.
 If your provisional license was issued July 1, 2004, or after and you successfully meet all requirements – including no violations during the term of your provisional license – the MVA automatically converts the license to a full driver’s license status.

VIRGINIA
(www.dmv.state.va.us)
LEARNER’S PERMIT INFORMATION
 Minimum age is 15 years, 6 months.
 You may operate a motor vehicle when a licensed driver at least 21 years of age is seated beside you.
 The driver accompanying you may be 18 years of age if he or she is your legal guardian, brother, sister, half brother, half sister, stepbrother or stepsister.
 The driver accompanying you must hold a valid driver’s license, be alert and able to assist you, and be legally permitted to drive.
 When you apply for a learner’s permit, you also will complete the application process for your driver’s license and pay the fees for the permit and license. You will be required to pass a vision screening and a two-part exam.
 If you are younger than 19, you must provide proof of successful completion of a state-approved driver-education program and you must hold a learner’s permit at least nine months before you can receive a driver’s license.
 Your parent, guardian or foster parent must certify that you received at least 40 hours of driver practice, 10 of which must have been completed after sunset. You will receive a certificate when you complete the driver-education program.
 If you are between age 16 years, 3 months and 18 years, your driver-education certificate and a valid learner’s permit allow you to drive without a licensed driver beside you, provided you have held your learner’s permit for nine months and the certificate is signed by a parent or legal guardian.
 After you have held your permit nine months, turned age 16 years, 3 months and completed driver education, you will receive a notice that tells you when to appear in court for a licensing ceremony, where you will receive your permanent driver’s license.
CURFEW RESTRICTIONS
 Virginia’s curfew laws prohibit a driver younger than 18 who holds a learner’s permit or driver’s license from driving from midnight to 4 a.m. If you hold a driver’s license, you may drive during those hours:
 In case of an emergency
 When traveling to and from work or a school-sponsored event
 When accompanied by a parent or other adult acting in place of a parent
 When responding to an emergency call as a volunteer firefighter or rescue squad personnel
PASSENGER RESTRICTIONS
 If you are younger than 18, you may carry only one passenger younger than 18 during the first year that you hold your driver’s license.
 After you have held your license for one year, you may carry only three passengers younger than 18 until you reach age 18.
 Learner’s permit holders may not carry more than one passenger younger than 18. Passenger restrictions do not apply to family members.
 Violations of either the curfew or passenger restrictions can result in the suspension of your driver’s license.
OBTAINING VIRGINIA’S FULL DRIVERS LICENSE
 You will receive a notice that tells you when to appear in court for a licensing ceremony, during which you will receive your permanent driver’s license.
 You must appear before a judge with a parent or legal guardian to receive your license.

WEST VIRGINIA
(www.wvdot.com)
INSTRUCTION PERMIT INFORMATION
An instruction permit allows you to operate a motor vehicle in order to learn to drive.
Requirements:
 Take a written test
 Be at least 15 years old and younger than 18
 Expiration date: 14 months or 18th birthday, whichever comes first
 Permit is not renewable.
 If your permit expires, the permit must be held for another 180 consecutive days before the Level II license exam will be given. If the Level I permit has expired, you must obtain a new permit and wait another 180 consecutive days infraction-free before applying for a Level II license.
 If you are younger than 18, both parents, a surviving parent, a single parent having custody or legal guardian must sign your application before you can be tested. Married applicants younger than 18 are not required to have parental consent; however, they must present a copy of their certified marriage certificate. You must also have a current school enrollment form.
RESTRICTIONS FOR THIS LEVEL
 Must have a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat
 May only drive between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.
 All occupants must use safety belts in accordance with state law
 Zero alcohol tolerance

INTERMEDIATE DRIVER’S LICENSE
Requirements:
 Take a road-skills test
 Be at least 16 years old
 Held a Level I permit for six months
 Must be infraction-free for six months immediately preceding date of application for Level II
 Must have 30-hour certification form completed and certified by parent or legal guardian or a driver-education card
 Expiration date: 18th birthday
 If you receive two moving violations on Level II, your license will be suspended until your 18th birthday. Once you turn 18, you must pay a reinstatement fee and retake all parts of the test.
 Married applicants younger than 18 are not required to have parental consent; however, they must present a copy of their certified marriage certificate.
 You must also have a current school enrollment form.
RESTRICTIONS FOR THIS LEVEL:
 May drive without supervising adult between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.
 Must have licensed driver 21 or older in front seat between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
 All occupants must use safety belts in accord with state law
 Maximum of three passengers younger than 19 (family members exempt)
 Zero alcohol tolerance

FULL CLASS E LICENSE
Requirements:
 Must have at least one year with Level II
 Must be infraction-free for one year (excludes headlamp and improper backing violations)
 Must be at least 17 years old
 Expiration date: 21st birthday
RESTRICTIONS FOR THIS LEVEL
 Zero alcohol tolerance
 All occupants must use safety belts in accordance with state law

- Caren Cramer

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