The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) encourages states to implement a graduated driver licensing system. Easing young drivers into the traffic environment through more controlled exposure to progressively more difficult driving experiences can reduce their traffic crashes. A significant percentage of young drivers are involved in traffic crashes and are twice as likely as adult drivers to be in a fatal crash. Sixteen-year-old drivers have crash rates that are three times more than 17-year-olds, five times greater than 18-year-olds, and twice those of 85-year-olds. The problems contributing to these higher crash rates include driving inexperience and lack of adequate driving skills; excessive driving during night-time, high-risk hours; risk-taking behaviour; poor driving judgement and decision making; drinking and driving; and distractions from teenage passengers. To address these problems, traffic safety researchers developed a licensing system that would prolong the learning process for young novice drivers. Based on this system, NHTSA and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators developed an entry-level driver licensing program to give young drivers more time to learn all the complex skills required to operate a vehicle. The program consists of three distinct stages, named by the type of license possessed at each stage: learner's permit, intermediate (provisional) license, and full licensure. Young drivers are required to demonstrate responsible driving behaviour in each stage of licensing before advancing to the next. This Fact Sheet presents additional information about this topic under the following headings: Key Facts; How Does Graduated Licensing Work; How Many States Have a Graduated License System; How Effective is Graduated Licensing; Incentive Grant Program; Who Supports Graduated Licensing; What Products and Services Are Available; and Information Sources. (Author/publisher)
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