| CONTACT: | Buel C. Young | | MVA Media Relations
(410) 768-7386 |
GLEN BURNIE, MD (September 19, 2005) — Six new driving laws focused on teen driver safety will take affect Saturday, October 1, 2005. Governor Robert L. Ehrlich signed the laws, enacted by the 2005 Maryland General Assembly, into law last spring. The new laws affect provisional drivers and those with learner's permits, regardless of when they received their learner's permit or provisional driver's license. The changes for learner's permit holders include: The learner's permit must be held for at least 6 months before the driver is eligible for a provisional license. The learner's permit driver must complete a minimum of 60 hours of driving practice with someone at least age 21 who has held a driver's license for 3 years or more. A minimum of 10 of the 60 practice hours must occur at night. The nighttime practice driving
can occur 30 minutes before sunset, but no earlier, or 30 minutes after sunrise, no later, to
qualify as nighttime practice driving. Learner's permit holders under 18 may not use any wireless communication device, including
a cell phone, while driving, with the exception of a 911 emergency call. Violations may result
in the suspension of one's driving privilege for up to 90 days.
The changes for provisional driver's license include: During the first 5 months of the provisional period, drivers under the age of 18, may not carry passengers who are minors (under eighteen), unless they are accompanied by a qualified supervising driver or 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. Violations may result in a suspension of one's driving privilege. Drivers under the age of 18 may not use any wireless communication devices, including a cell phone, whole driving, with the exception of an emergency 911 call. Violations may result in the suspension of one's driving privilege for up to 90 days. Drivers must hold the provisional license for 18 consecutive months with no moving violations. Any convictions or Probation Before Judgment (PBJ) rulings, will require the 18 month period to be restarted. Provisional drivers are ineligible for a "Probation Before Judgment" (PBJ) ruling from the court if the defendant has previously received a PBJ.
"The new laws strengthen current laws that apply to drivers who are 18 years of age and younger," said MVA Administrator David H. Hugel. Since the laws were signed, the MVA and Governor Ehrlich have communicated with the young drivers, their parents, driving schools, and high school principals in an effort to educate them about the changes. In addition, the MVA has updated all driving materials for the new driver, with supplemental materials for the additional driving time and certification needed for the Rookie Driver Skills Log. Updated information on the new laws is available on the MVA website, www.marylandmva.com. The website hosts a chart of the old and new laws, with a narrative on what has changed, what has not changed and how it affects the new driver. The website also contains "Frequently Asked Questions" (FAQ) on the new teen driving laws. ### Return to Press Release Main Page |
