The basic idea of a graduated licensing system is to let novice drivers obtain their initial on-road driving experience under lower-risk conditions, protecting them while they are learning. Typical provisions of graduated licensing are:

• An extended learner period of supervised driving
• Required hours of adult supervision during the learner period
• Restrictions on late-night driving during initial months of licensure
• Restrictions on transporting teen passengers during initial months of licensure
• Seat belt requirements for drivers and passengers 
  

Every state has its own variation of Graduated Driver Licensing, and they are one of the few things that have been proven to save teen lives.  You and your teen should become familiar with your state’s laws, and at the very least, you should use these laws to form the baseline for the rules you set for your teen driver. 

For additional guidelines, click here to download a sample Parent-Teen Driving Agreement to help you and your teen reach an understanding.

To find more information about your state’s GDL laws, click on the map below: