The STANDUP Act

Since current Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws vary state by state, there's now a push to make them more uniform by setting a national standard. In April 2009 Congressional Representatives Tim Bishop (D-NY), Michael Castle (R-DE) and Chris Van Hollen, Jr. (D-MD) introduced the Safe Teen and Novice Driver Uniform Protection Act of 2009 to the House. Known as the STANDUP Act, the bill would create a federal minimal GDL standard. For three years, states that adopt this standard as law would receive federal grants to help enforce the restrictions and educate teen drivers on the importance of complying with the law. Those states that don't adopt this standard may have some portion of their federal highway funds withheld.

When passed, STANDUP's national standards will allow teens to gradually gain experience to keep them safe:

• Teen drivers must follow a three-stage licensing process: (1) learner's permit, (2) intermediate stage, and (3) unrestricted driver's license.
• Teen drivers must abide by a curfew for nighttime driving during the first two stages of the licensing process.
• Teen drivers can only carry one peer passenger that's not a sibling unless supervised by an adult driver.
• Teen drivers would not be allowed to use any hand-held or hands-free wireless communication device.
• Teen drivers cannot be issued a learner's permit before age 16 or an unrestricted license before age 18.

The GDL standards in the STANDUP Act are based on comprehensive research conducted by many different research groups spanning multiple disciplines and many years. These standards will allow teens to gradually gain the necessary experience and maturity to stay safe on the road. Currently, the bill has been referred to, and is waiting to be discussed, by the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

The bill that would create the STANDUP Act was re-introduced to Congress as H.R. 1515 on April 13, 2011. To follow the bill's progress, please visit  http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/112/hr1515

To learn more about STANDUP and how you can support it visit  http://www.saferoads4teens.org/

Read a blog from US News & World Report in support of the Act.