New Restrictions on Teen
Drivers Pending as
Another Teen Driver Takes a
Life
ANNAPOLIS
(March 23, 2009) This update
on proposed laws affecting
teen drivers:
The House
passed legislation this week
concerning teen driver
safety. HB 303, as amended,
increases by three months
the age limit for issuance
of a provisional driver’s
license and original
driver’s license, increases
the length of time that must
elapse before a learner’s
instructional permit holder
may take an examination for
a provisional license, and
increases restrictions on
the carrying of other young
passengers by provisional
license holders younger than
18.
The
provisions regarding age of
eligibility for licenses and
permits do not apply to
those who have already
obtained a license or
permit. The bill includes
other provisions to:
• require the
Motor Vehicle Administration
(MVA) to apply for a
criminal history records
check for each
applicant for
a driving instructor’s
license;
• authorize
the MVA to conduct a driver
improvement program for
young drivers;
• allow the
MVA to cancel the license of
a minor on request of the
cosigner of the minor’s
application and provide for
reissuance of the cancelled
license; and
• and
establish new penalties that
the MVA may impose against
the provisional license of
persons
younger than
18 who commit two or more
moving violations.
