Westbrook High School

It includes but is not limited to:

1. New Laws For 16 and 17 -Year-Old Drivers

(This item may be viewed below as well)

2. Talk To Teen Brochure

3. Connecticut's Drunk Driving Law

4. Connecticut Driver's Manual

5. Connecticut Teen Driving Safety Partnership

6. DMV Teen Driving Podcasts

7. Direct link to Department of Motor Vehicles website

New Laws for 16 and 17 -Year-Old Drivers Effective August 1, 2008

The following new laws will be effective on August 1, 2008.

Passenger Restrictions
Under the new law, learner’s permit holders and 16 and 17-year-old licensed drivers would be subjected to further passenger restrictions:

Learner’s Permit Holders
Under the new law effective August 1, 2008, learner’s permit holders are not allowed to drive with anyone other than:

•  
  • A licensed driving instructor giving instruction;
  • One passenger who is at least 20 years old who has a had a driver’s license for at least 4 years and has not had their license suspended for the previous 4 years;
  • Their parents or legal guardian.
  • THIS IS FOR THE ENTIRE TIME THE DRIVER HOLDS A LEARNER’S PERMIT.

Exceptions: 

1) If the teen is under the instruction of a DMV-licensed driving instructor, two passengers in addition to the teen driver and the instructor may be transported if the school has obtained written authorization from a parent or legal guardian in accordance with Section 14-78-34 of the Connecticut State Regulations. Under no circumstances are more than three students allowed in a vehicle being used by a driving school for behind-the-wheel instruction.

2) In addition to the person providing instruction, one or both parents or a legal guardian may be passengers in a vehicle being operated by teen holding a learner’s permit. For example, if the teen is under the instruction of a sibling over the age of 20, a parent or parents may be passengers.

Driver’s License Holders

•  
  • Under the new law effective August 1, 2008, passenger restrictions for 16 and 17-year-old drivers are extended. 
  • The new law doubles the length of time that passenger restrictions apply. 
  • During the first 6 months, the only passengers allowed in the vehicle with a 16 or 17-year-old driver are:
    • A licensed driving instructor giving instruction; or
    • One passenger who is at least 20 years old who has had a driver’s license for at least 4 years and has not had the license suspended during the preceding 4 years; or
    • The driver’s parents or legal guardian.
  • Between 6 months and a year, the only passengers allowed in the vehicle with a 16 or 17-year-old driver are:
    • Anyone previously permitted;
    • As well as any additional members of the driver’s immediate family.

Curfew for Nighttime Driving

Under the new law, effective August 1, 2008, 16 or 17-year-old licensed drivers will not be allowed to drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., except for employment, religious, school-related or for certain other purposes.  Currently, the nighttime hours restriction is midnight to 5 a.m.

48-Hour License Suspension for Certain Violations

Under the new law, effective August 1, 2008, 16 or 17-year-olds who commit certain moving violations will have their drivers’ licenses seized by a police officer for 48 hours.  In addition, the police officer is authorized to remove the vehicle from the scene.   Sixteen and 17-year-olds would lose their license if they are cited for:

• Violating any of the driving restrictions that apply after licensure;
• Driving 20 miles per hour or more above a posted speed limit;
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• Driving recklessly; or
• Racing a motor vehicle on a public highway.

The driver’s license would be considered suspended for that 48-hour period.  In order to regain possession of the license after the 48-hour period, the teen and their parent or legal guardian must go to the police department and sign a written statement acknowledging the license has been returned. 

Drinking and Driving (Administrative Per Se) Penalties

Under the new law, effective August 1, 2008, the administrative license suspension for a 16 or 17-year-old who drives under the influence of alcohol will be no less than one year if they submitted to the test analysis and had an elevated Blood Alcohol Content (BAC).  If the 16 or 17-year-old refuses to submit to the test, the suspension will be 18 months. Currently, the suspension period is not less than 6 months. 

Driver Retraining

 Anyone age 24 or younger who commits two or more moving violations or suspension violations must complete the DMV-certified driving retraining program.  Anyone over age 24 must complete the program after three moving or suspension violations.

Under the new law, effective August 1, 2008, additional offenses will trigger participation in the program.  The new offenses that could lead a 16 or 17-year-old driver to take the retraining program are:

• Driving in violation of learner’s permit requirements
• Driving in violation of Graduated Driver’s License Laws (such as passenger restriction and driving curfew laws)
• Using a cell phone or other mobile electronic device outside of permitted uses.  By law, drivers under 18 cannot use a cell phone or mobile electronic device, not even if it is “hands-free. 

Parent Training Requirements

Under the new law, a parent or legal guardian of a teen who obtains a learner’s permit on or after August 1, 2008, is required to complete two hours of instruction concerning the laws governing drivers under age 18 and the dangers of teen driving.  This course may be offered by a commercial or secondary driving school and will be included in the eight-hour program already required for all 16 and 17-year-olds. 

Penalties Increased

Under the new law, effective August 1, 2008, DMV will suspend the driver’s license of a 16 or 17-year-old for any conviction of violating a teen driving restriction, otherwise know as a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) provision.  This includes a 30-day suspension for a first offense.  On a second offense, the driver would receive a 6-month suspension or a suspension until the driver turns 18, whichever is longer.

In addition, the new law imposes new license suspensions for drivers under the age of 18 who are convicted of speeding, reckless driving, street racing or violating the laws that apply after licensure, otherwise known as the Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) laws.

Training Requirements (Behind the Wheel)

Under the new law, driver’s who receive a learner’s permit after AUGUST 1, 2008, must complete 40 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.  Currently, learner’s permit holders are required to complete 20 hours of behind-the-wheel training. 

Seat Belt Laws

Under the new law, effective August 1, 2008, drivers under the age of 18, and each of their passengers are required to wear a seat belt.  Individuals younger than 18 years old and their passengers (regardless of age) cited for a seat belt violation would be fined $75 (as opposed to current $15 fine). 

Youthful Offender Status

Under the new law, effective August 1, 2008, someone under the age of 18 who commits the following cannot be considered a youthful offender:

• Negligent homicide with a motor vehicle
• Evading responsibility following an accident that results in a death or serious injury
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

• Reckless driving
• Operating while under suspension
• Evading responsibility following an accident involving property or non-serious injury
• Racing
• Disregarding a police officer’s signal to stop and increasing speed to elude such officer

Feel free to call Chet Bialicki (399-3189) with any questions. Pertinent information pertaining to the entire course will be distributed at the first class. Many questions will be answered at that time.