Graduated Driver Licensing

At its most basic level, Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) involves a three-phase licensing system to gradually introduce driving privileges to new drivers. In order to move from one Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) phase to another, new drivers must fulfill all requirements and not commit any traffic violations:

• The first phase (learner’s) of Graduated Driver Licensing gives a new driver the opportunity to gain experience while closely supervised by an adult.
• The second phase (probationary/intermediate) of Graduated Driver Licensing gives a new driver the opportunity to drive alone but with certain restrictions.
• The third phase (full licensure) of Graduated Driver Licensing gives a new driver the opportunity to drive alone without restrictions.

The 4 Key Objectives of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) are:

1. Expand the learning process by providing new drivers with lots of varied and supervised practice to gain experience and maturity before taking the wheel alone.
2. Minimize crash risk exposure by requiring that new drivers gain critical experience in lower-risk conditions (daytime driving, without peer passengers, etc.) before venturing out in high-risk conditions (nighttime driving, with peer passengers, etc.).
3. Improve driving skills by encouraging new drivers to practice, practice, and practice some more and to gradually introduce new privileges when earned.
4. Motivate for safety by acknowledging safe driving behaviors and reducing driving privileges for reckless or unsafe behaviors.

These Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) objectives support the important role of parents and communities in keeping teens safe on the road. Strong GDL programs help build awareness of the teen driver safety issue, encourage parents to set driving limits and carefully monitor new teen drivers, and empower parents and communities to enforce GDL restrictions.