FAQs – Minnesota Teen Graduated Driver License

 

Your teenager recently turned 16 and like any kid their age, they are anxious to pass their behind-the-wheel driving test and speed off with their newly gained freedom.

But for amateur drivers, there are countless rules to remember and it can be downright scary to share the road with more experienced drivers.

On August 1, 2008, a new law went into effect that changed Minnesota’s licensing system. Since then, we continue to receive many questions about the new program and how it works. To help you prepare for when your teen passes their driving test, we’ve rounded up our most frequently asked questions about Minnesota’s teen driving laws.

 

What is a Minnesota Graduated Driver License (GDL)?

The Graduated Driver’s License program is a set of driving laws created for all newly licensed 16- and 17-year-olds comprised of 3 phases: the instructional permit period, the provisional license phase (first 6 months), and the full-licensure phase (months 7-12).

 

Why did Minnesota adopt this change?

For teen drivers, the greatest risk for traffic accidents is, not surprisingly, during the first 6 months of independent driving.

Minnesota teen drivers continue to be overrepresented in traffic accidents and injuries due to being inexperienced behind-the-wheel, distractions, speeding, and the failure to wear a seat belt.

 

What are the restrictions for new drivers?

During months 1-6 (provisional phase) drivers are:

• prohibited to carry more than 1 passenger under age 20 unless a parent/guardian is also in the vehicle or the passengers are immediate family members
• not allowed to drive between midnight and 5 a.m. with unless they are driving to their job or are with a licensed driver over the age of 25 

During months 7-12 (full licensure phase), drivers are:

• prohibited to carry more than 3 passengers under age 20
• not allowed to use a messaging or texting device 
  

   

[download a PDF version]

Has the GDL helped to reduce crashes?

Yes, the GDL program seems to be working! According to 2017 Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, the number of 15- to 19-year-olds who were involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash dropped significantly from 102 in 2003 to 27 in 2017.

The combination of restricting cell phone usage, requiring the use of a seat belt, capping the number of vehicle passengers, and limiting nighttime driving hours has made a positive impact.

 

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Be a positive role model by buckling up, driving at safe speeds, and paying attention to the road.

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Has the GDL helped to reduce crashes?

Yes, the GDL program seems to be working! According to 2017 Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, the number of 15- to 19-year-olds who were involved in a fatal motor vehicle crash dropped significantly from 102 in 2003 to 27 in 2017.

The combination of restricting cell phone usage, requiring the use of a seat belt, capping the number of vehicle passengers, and limiting nighttime driving hours has made a positive impact.

 

It’s been a year since my teen got their license. Now what?

To qualify for a full, unrestricted driver’s license, your teen must have:

• no seat belt violations. Drivers and all passengers must be wearing a seat belt
• no violations for using a cell phone while driving, even if it is in hands-free mode
• no violations for an accident caused by drinking alcohol or being under the influence 
• no more than 1 moving violation which is not crash-related

 

Coverage From All Sides

If you have a newly licensed driver in your household, don’t wait any longer to have your current insurance program reviewed to make sure that your coverage is appropriate. Because the last thing you want is to find out you are underinsured when your teen is involved in an auto accident. 

Talk with us today about your situation and feel confident in your insurance coverage when your teen hits the road!

 

 

Thom Grubbs is an insurance agent and partner at Pentagon Insurance Agency in Elk River, MN. Outside of work, Thom likes to bowl, fish, spend time with his family, and volunteer at his church. Get in touch with Thom and let him make life a little easier by talking over your situation.