ATLANTA — Today is the start of National Teen Driver Safety Week. Over the years, the state of Georgia has made a lot of changes to the regulations for young drivers - hoping to help better prepare them for the responsibility of driving as well as keep the roads safe.
It can get a little confusing for teens and parents nowadays, though. Long gone are the days when 16-year-olds took to the streets of Atlanta like any other licensed driver.
Why is it necessary? An alarming number of fatal crashes involving teens spurred regulatory change. The most recent numbers, from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, are from 2021: There were 1,797 fatal crashes involving young drivers.
Here's a bit of what you need to know:
- Age 15: You can get a learner's permit, allowing you to drive the streets of Georgia as long as you have a licensed driver over the age of 21 in the seat beside you.
- Age 16: Once a teen has had the permit for a year and taken a certified driver's training course, they can take a road test to qualify for a provisional - or Class D - license. With a Class D license, 16- and 17-year-olds cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. Also, during the first six months with the license, only family members can ride with them.
- Age 16 1/2: Once you've had the Class D license for at least six months, you can have one friend in the car.
- Age 17: Once you've had the Class D license for a year, you can now carry three passengers.
- Age 18: You can now get a Class C license, one that comes without restrictions.
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