Brian Frosh

Dear Friend,

As school ends, many parents are concerned about their teenage drivers out on the roads. The Maryland General Assembly has paid close attention to these concerns. State law now includes important restrictions that parents and teens should be aware of and closely follow. Below is a summary of current teen licensing and driving laws:

Learner’s Permit Holders:

• A new driver must hold a learner’s permit for at least six months before becoming 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 at least three years. That includes driving at night for at least 10 of those hours.
• Learner’s permit holders under 18 may not use any wireless communication device, including a cell phone, while driving, except to make an emergency 911 call. Violations may result in the suspension of driving privileges for up to 90 days.

Provisional Driver’s License Holders:

• A driver must have reached the age of 16 years and 3 months.
• During the first 5 months of the provisional period, drivers under the age of 18 may not carry passengers who are minors (under 18), unless they are accompanied by a qualified supervising driver or the passengers are immediate family members. Violations may result in suspension of driving privileges.
• Drivers under the age of 18 may not use any wireless communications devices, including a cell phone, while driving, except to make an emergency 911 call. Violations may result in suspension of driving privileges for up to 90 days.
• Drivers must hold the provisional license for 18 consecutive months with no moving violations.
• To convert a provisional license to a full driver’s license, the driver must be at least 17 years and 9 months.

During the 2008 session, the legislature considered several bills that would have made teenage driving laws stricter. I introduced legislation that would have suspended licenses automatically for teens who commit serious offenses, such as reckless driving or drunk driving. This legislation failed, along with one bill that would have extended the period in which young drivers are prohibited from carrying minor passengers and another piece of legislation that would have moved the curfew up from midnight to 10 p.m. The only teen driving proposal that passed during the recent session requires the Motor Vehicle Administration to notify parents or guardians if a teen driver receives a citation for a moving violation.

Studies show that graduated licensing requirements for young drivers save lives. You can expect to see renewed efforts to reduce injuries related to inexperienced drivers during the next session.  I am hopeful that we can reduce the rate at which teenagers are injured, or cause injuries, as they learn how to become safe drivers.

I’d also like to briefly mention that my website has been redesigned and has a fresh, new look. I invite you to visit www.brianfrosh.com.

All the best for a safe and enjoyable summer,

Brian E. Frosh