New Teen Driving Rules

The Massachusetts Legislature is set to pass a bill today increasing the drivers ed requirements before a teen can get a license and increasing penalties for offenses committed by young drivers. Here are some highlights:

Effective March 31, 2007, new penalties:

Driving with other passengers in first six months:

• 1st offense: 60 day license suspension
• 2nd offense: 180 day suspension
• 3rd offense: 1 year suspension

Junior Operator Driving between midnight and 5 am:

• 1st offense: 60 day license suspension
• 2nd offense: 180 day suspension
• 3rd offense: 1 year suspension

Permit Holder driving without an adult or between midnight and 5 am:

• 1st offense: 60 day license suspension
• 2nd offense: 180 day suspension
• 3rd offense: 1 year suspension

Junior Operator drag racing:

• 1st offense: $250 plus 1 year license suspension plus $500 to reinstate license
• 2nd offense: $500 plus 3 years license suspension plus $1000 to reinstate

Junior Operator speeding (in addition to fines):

• 1st offense: 90 day license suspension plus $500 to reinstate license
• 2nd offense: 1 year suspension plus $500 to reinstate

Effective September 1, 2007: New requirements to get a license:

• 40 hours driving with parent or guardian (or 30 if you take an advances drivers ed class)
• Parent or guardian must participate in 2 hours of drivers ed
• Drivers ed: 6 hours observing and 12 hours behind the wheel