Learners Permit Quick Reference

GDL QUICK REFERENCE  LEVEL 1 LEARNER’S PERMIT

Purpose:  By increasing the period of supervised driving experience and reducing the exposure of novice drivers to high-risk situations, the young driver gains practical driving experience and maturity in a controlled environment that should result in fewer highway crashes and fatalities.

Document:  The Level 1 Learner’s Permit is a plastic folder with the applicant’s Class D License sealed inside the folder. Twelve months after the permit is issued, the applicant will be notified that the enclosed Class D License is valid. They may then remove the Class D License from the sealed folder thereby gaining full driving privileges without returning to the Division. Driving with the wrong document may result in a license suspension. This discourages early removal of the Class D License from the folder.

Eligibility Criteria:
1.   Age: 15 years 10 months to 18 years of age.
2.   Complete approved Driver Education Training Course.  The driver education course is not considered complete until the blue certificate is issued.
3.   Passed written and road tests by driver education teacher. (DPvW examines all minors with disabilities.)
4.   Sponsor must sign application.

Driving Restrictions:
1.   First six months from date level 1 learner’s permit issued:
     a.   Supervised driving at all times.
     b.   Permit must be in the possession of the permit holder.
2.   After the first six months from date of issue:
     a.   Unsupervised driving from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.
     b.   Supervised driving only from 9:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. except traveling to and from church activities, work activities and the permit holder’s school activities (on school property only).
    c.   Permit must be in the possession of the permit holder.
3. When under mandatory supervision, the supervisor must be a licensed parent. guardian or licensed driver at least 25 years old who has held a Class D license for at least 5 years. Supervising driver must be seated beside the permit holder in the front seat of the vehicle when it is in motion. Only the supervisor can be in the front seat. The sponsor designates the supervisor.
4.   No passengers other than the adult supervisor and two or fewer other passengers can be in the vehicle during the first six months. Only two passengers during the second six months of unsupervised driving.
5.   Permit will be suspended for violating the above restrictions.

CLASS D LICENSE

Eligibility:
1.   At least 16 years and 10 months of age.
2.   Credited with 12 months level 1 learner’s permit experience.
3.   Sponsor approval.
4.   Notified by letter from the Division.

DRIVER EDUCATION LEARNER’S PERMIT

Purpose: This permit is designed for those student drivers who need additional driving experience before the driver education teacher gives the road skill test. The student must be enrolled in a driver’s education course and have completed the minimum class hours of actual driving experience and in-the-car observation as approved by the Department of Education. This 4-month driver education learner’s permit may only be issued once.

Document:  Paper permit titled. “Driver Education Learners Permit.” 

Eligibility:

1.   Driver education teacher’s recommendation (white certificate)
2.   Age 15 years, 10 months.
3.   Sponsor signs application.
4.   Pay $12.50 fee.
5.   Driving experience gained under this permit is Credited toward the level 1 1earner’s permit.


Restrictions:
1.   Must be supervised by licensed parent or guardian. If neither arc licensed, a licensed driver over age 25 with 5 years driving experience.
2.   Supervising driver must be seated beside the permit holder in the front seat. No person other than the supervisor can be in the front seat.
3.   No passengers other than the adult supervisor and two or fewer other passengers.-can be in the vehicle.
4.   Permit must be in the possession of the permit holder.

OUT-OF-STATE TRANSFERS

Eligible for Class D License if:
1.   Held out-of-state license for at least 12 months.
2.   Reached age 16 years, 10 months.
3.   Completed written and road test given by DMV.
4.   Complete approved driver education course.
5.   Sponsor signs application.

Eligible for a level 1 learner’s permit if:
1.   Reached at least age 15 years, 10 months.
2.   Sponsor signs application.
3.   Pass written and road test given by DMV.
4.   If the minor applicant has held a license in another state, then they are given credit for the time licensed. Adjust the level 1 learner’s permit issue date.

NEW SANCTIONS

1.   If a minor applicant and their sponsor sign an application that misstates the applicant’s age or relationship to the minor, then both the sponsor and applicant’s licenses are suspended for 2 months.

2.   Failure to adhere to the level 1 learner’s permit restrictions or temporary instruction permit restriction results in a 2 months license suspension for the first offense and 4 months for subsequent offenses.

 3.  The Division can suspend minors driving authority more stringently than other drivers. New policy regulations are being written; probably will suspend those under age 18 when they reach 6 points. More details to follow.