Motor vehicle crashes kill more teens than anything else. Changes to Iowa’s graduated driver’s license system taking effect in 2014 will help keep our teen drivers and all Iowans safe on the roads. Highlights include:
1. More supervised drive time: Young drivers will be required to carry an instruction permit for 12 months, double the current six months, before they can apply for an intermediate license. That means they’ll have more time to learn from an experienced driver and get driving practice in all seasons. This law affects all teens seeking an intermediate license after Jan. 1.
2. Reduced distractions: The first six months of unsupervised driving is the most dangerous for teens. To reduce the risk, teens will be limited to one unrelated minor passenger during their first six months with an intermediate license. Parents can waive this restriction at the time the intermediate license is issued. This will apply to all intermediate licenses issued after Jan. 1.
The new law also limits students with a minor school license to one unrelated minor passenger when driving without adult supervision. This provision applies to all teens holding a minor school license, even if the license was issued before Jan. 1, 2014.