Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) programs are a proven strategy to prevent teen driver crashes. Teens need time to gain driving experience and to develop critical driving skills in lower-risk driving situations. States with comprehensive GDL programs generally have lower fatality rates than those with less robust ones.

As you begin on the path towards a driver’s license for the teen in your family, it’s important to understand how and why GDL requirements work to keep teens from crashing. It’s important to know the law in your state and the minimum provisions recommended by science so that you can make informed choices during the learning-to-drive process.

Research Informs Recommended GDL Policy

As part of Moving Forward for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), Congress’ reauthorization for the US Department of Transportation, a set of minimum provisions for GDL were determined based on the current state of science in January 2013 (please refer to chart below).

More recent research from CHOP and others suggest additional ways states might boost the effectiveness of comprehensive GDL programs. For instance, research conducted by CIRP Principal Investigator Allison Curry, PhD, MPH and colleagues suggests that we could reduce crashes among older novice drivers if GDL policies extended the Intermediate License requirements to all novice drivers up to age 21.

Another way states could boost the effectiveness of GDL is through the requirement of a GDL vehicle identifier (or decal) on the outside of vehicles driven by Intermediate License holders. Only New Jersey currently requires a GDL decal. According to research conducted by Dr. Curry and colleagues, that state realized a sustained 9.5 percent decrease in their crash rates among Intermediate license holders after enacting Kyleigh’s Law in 2010.