Ohio Drivers License

The State of Ohio has graduated stages licensing.

At age 15 ½ you being the graduated stages but you must have the following (the information is also provided in the Digest of Ohio Motor Vehicle Laws:

1. Proof age
2. Proof identity
3. Social Security Card
4. Your parent, or legal guardian, must co-sign the temporary permit application (if you are under the age of 18).
5. You will be required to take a knowledge test
6. You will be required to take a vision exam (eye test)

Once the above has been completed, you:

1. Will be eligible to drive as long as you have your application and photo identification with you when you are driving, and you are with a parent, guardian or a certified driving instructor (until you are 16).

2. Must then complete classroom instruction totaling 24 hours, an additional 8 hours of driving time with a certified instructor, and fifty additional hours of driving which is with a parent with 10 of those hours being nighttime driving

A Fifty Hour Affidavit is required when applying for your driver’s license, which may be no less than 6 months after you have obtained your temporary permit.

Once the above has been completed, you:

1. will be eligible for a probationary drivers license which has a number of restrictions including:

a. not more than one person who is a family member in the vehicle

b. no driving between midnight and 6am unless it is an emergency,

c. no driving unless you are going back and forth to work or school (provided you supply the necessary written documentation as proof of these activities)

d. everyone in your vehicle must be wearing seatbelts (or age appropriate restraints) when you are driving.

*This restriction remains until you are 18 under laws that changed in 2007.

If you are convicted of one moving violation during the first 6 months you hold a license, you will then be required to have a licensed parent or guardian in the vehicle with you for an additional 6 months.

TEMPORARY PERMITS & PROBATIONARY LICENSE SUSPENSION RULES

1. Temporary permit holders and probationary license holders will be suspended for one year for accruing 3 moving violations before age18.
2. Temporary permit holders and probationary license holders may be suspended for six months if convicted of certain traffic-related violations before age 18.
3. Temporary permit holders and probationary license holders who are convicted of certain alcohol-related violations (4511.11 D.U.I.) before age 18 will be suspended for six months. If the offender is not yet 15½, the offender will not be eligible for a temporary permit until the age of 16.

North Carolina Drivers License

The State of North Carolina required a new driver to complete 2 steps before being able to obtain a Full Provisional Drivers License.

Level 1 (limited learner permit for operating vehicle requiring a Class C license)

1. You must be at least 15 years of age and completed a drivers’ education course. This course must be one that meets North Carolina Requirements.

2. You must also present a Driving Eligibility Certificate. This Certificate is issued by the public school system. You may also present a high school diploma or its equivalent instead of the Certificate.

3. You must present present proof of residency and your social security card or documentation issued by the United States Government indicating legal presence.

4. You must pass written, signs and vision tests.

5. All passengers in your vehicles must be restrained by seatbelt or child safety seat.

6. No one except the driver and the supervising driver* are allowed in the front seat.

7. You are only to drive between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. while accompanied by your supervising driver* during the first six months of obtaining a Limited Learner Permit.

8. After six months, you are eligible to drive anytime with your supervising driver*.

*Supervising Driver: A supervising driver must be a parent, grandparent, guardian of the permit/license holder, or a responsible person approved by the parent or guardian. A supervising driver must hold a valid driver license and must have been licensed for at least five years.

Note: Before graduating to Level Two, you must keep this permit for at least 12 months and have no convictions of moving violations or seat belt infractions within the preceding six months.

Level 2 (limited provisional license)

1. You must be at least 16 years of age but less than 18 years of age.

2. All passengers must always be restrained by seat belt or child safety seat.

3. Supervising Driver* must be seated beside the driver

4. You are only to drive between the hours of 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. or at any time when driving directly to or from work. You may also drive any time if you are a volunteer fire, rescue or EMS (emergency medical service) person. You may drive without supervision during these times and these instances.

5. You may not have more than one passenger under the age of 21 in the vehicle if you are not with your supervising driver*. The exception to this rule is that you may have any number of passengers as long as they are members of the license holder’s immediate family or live in the same primary residents. The catch for this is that if any member of your immediate family (or who resides in the same primary residence) is under the age of 21 you may not have any other passenger in the vehicle that is under the age of 21.

Note: Before graduating to Level Three, you must keep this license for at least 6 months and have no convictions of moving violations or seat belt infractions within the preceding six months.

Level 3 (full provisional license – provisional licensees are drivers under the age of 18)

1. Upon completion of six months of driving with no convictions of either moving violations or seat belt infractions, you are eligible to receive a Level Three license.

2. You must have a certificate that shows you have passed an approved driver education course that meets State of North Carolina requirements before you are able to take the test for a Learner Permit or License.

3. The Department of Motor Vehicles reviews the driving record of all Level 3 drivers more closely and may contact you if you have certain types of traffic violations or crashes.

4. It is unlawful for a Level 3 (provisional licensee) to drive a motor vehicle after or while consuming alcohol or drugs – a conviction of such a violation will result in a one-year license revocation.

5. A parent or legal guardian must sign for a minor.

Vermont Drivers License

The State of Vermont allows new drivers at the age of 15 to get a Learners Permit. You must, however, be accompanied by a licensed parent, guardian, certified drivers education instructor or licensed person over the age of 25.

At the age of 15 you must maintain a clean driving record for a minimum of 6 months in order to get a Junior Operator License. You may carry passengers but you must not charge the passengers; you may not drive for employment; and you may not get more than three points on your driving record.

You must also complete forty hours of driving time, ten of those hours must be during night time conditions. You must also submit a Driving Practice Log Sheet to prove that you have completed this requirement along with your application for a Junior Operator License.

You must also pass a road test

A Junior Operator License allows you to drive alone or with a properly licensed person. If you are driving with a licensed driver over the age of 25, you are allowed to transport as many passengers as you have seat belts for.

During the 2^nd three months of having your Junior Operator’s License, you may transport immediate family members in the front seat of your car.

After six months of having your Junior Operator’s License, you may drive a car containing as many passengers as you have proper restraints for.

You must be 18 in order to obtain a full license, and must not have any recalls, suspensions or revocations for a period not less than six months.

The Vermont Drivers License Manual will help you prepare for your written tests as well as your knowledge of road signs and safety rules.

New Mexico Drivers License

In the State of New Mexico there is a three step, or phase, graduated drivers program. All first time drivers under the age of 18 must go through all three steps until they have completed all the requirements for an Unrestricted License.

1: Instructional Permit:

1. You must be at least 15 years of age.

2. You will need to pass a knowledge test as well as a vision test and must have your parents, or guardians, permission.

3. You will be able to drive as long as there is another driver who is over the age of 21 in the vehicle with you.

4. While keeping this permit for six months you must also be enrolled in and attending a driver education course. This course includes DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) education as well as practice driving.

5. Before you are able to participate in the next step you must have approval by an instructor or a driver who has been licensed for at least three years and is over the age of 21.

2: Provisional License Program:

1. You must have held the Instructional permit at least six months.

2. This Program allows you to drive without supervision after 5 a.m. and before Midnight.

3. You must complete not less than fifty hours of practice driving. This includes not less than ten hours of nighttime driving. Your parent or guardian must agree that you have completed the practice portion.

4. You will also need to pass a written test, a road test, and a vision screening.

5. You must be no younger than 15 years and 6 months, of course holding the instructional permit for at least 6 months.

6. If convicted of any traffic violation in the 90 days prior to applying for your Provisional License you will be disapproved.

7. You must only operate a motor vehicle on public highways between 5 a.m. and midnight.

8. You can drive at any hour if:

   1. you are accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years or

   2. Are required by family necessity as evidenced by a signed statement of a parent or guardian;

   3. Are required by medical necessity as evidenced by a signed statement of a parent or guardian

   4. Are driving to and from work as evidenced by a signed statement from your employer;

   5. You are driving to and from school or a religious activity as evidenced by a signed statement of a school, religious official or a parent or guardian,

   6. Or if it is required due to a medical emergency.

You may find the New Mexico Drivers Handbook helpful in preparing for your permit and the written tests.

Tennessee Drivers License Requirements

There are merely four steps in the State of Tennessee in obtaining a drivers license. Well, I should say to become what is called a “full, unrestricted driver”.

1. Age age 15 you must pass a written test as well as an eye (vision) exam. You will then have your “permit” for 180 days. You can only drive a vehicle when a person (a full, unrestricted driver) that is 21 years or older is with you. You can only drive between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. You must, as well as everyone in the vehicle with you, always wear a seat belt.

2. After you have completed step 1 and have not had any driving offenses totaling up to 6 points and you are at least 16 years of age, you must pass a driving test. You must also have completed successfully 50 hours of driving including 10 hours at night. You must have proof of the 50 hours of driving from a parent or a licensed driving instructor. Again, you, and everyone else in the vehicle, must always wear a seat belt. You then have an Intermediate Restricted License.

3. At age 17 you may obtain an Intermediate Unrestricted Drivers License. The way you able to get this license is by having your Intermediate Restricted License for one year. You have not accumulated more than 6 points on your driving record. You cannot have had any accidents where you have been at fault. You cannot have any seat belt offense violations and again all drivers and passengers in the vehicle must always have proper restraints.

4. At age 18, or when your graduate from high school whichever happens first, you may be issued a Regular Drivers License. Your license will still bear the “Under 21” designation.

Helpful documents:

• Graduated Driver License Guide Brochure (August 2005)

• Frequently Asked Questions

• Samples of New Graduated Driver License Documents

• Download Certificate of 50 hours Behind the Wheel Driving Experience (File size: 50 KB)

• Chapter Two, Driver License Handbook: Applying for your License (File size: 38 KB)

Alabama Drivers Education

A new driver in the state of Alabama must obtain a Learners License (or drivers license depending upon your age) before you begin driving.

If you wish to drive a motorcycle, you can get your license at the age of 14.

If you wish to drive a vehicle (car, truck, etc) you are able to obtain a Learners’ License at the age of 15.

At the age of 16 you are able to get a Class D drivers license.

As always you can confirm any of this information with the Alabama Department of Public Safety.

Okay now you must have two (2) forms of identification to apply for a new drivers’ license.

They include the following but you must also know that if you cannot provide any type of photo identification you will need three (3) forms of identification.

* Birth Certificate (certified)
* Social Security Card
* Valid Passport
* Alabama Identification card
* Naturalization papers

Now that you have the identification you will also need:

* Proof of insurance for your vehicle (including motorcycle)

* If you are transferring your drivers license from another state, you should be prepared to present that drivers license along with your Social Security card and one additional form of identification (remember to see the list above)

* You will need to have $28.00 cash which you will bring to the Alabama Department of Safety ($5.00 testing fee as well as $23.00 licensing fee) (they are able to take a Debit or Check Card if you parents are along)

*If you are under the age of 19, you must provide a completed enrollment form or proof of graduation

Of course before you are able to take you drivers test you will need to get the State of Alabama’s Drivers Handbook. You can contact the Alabama Department of Safety for a copy.

The Drivers handbook will not only give you instructions on how to apply for your license it will also give you Alabama’s rules of the road.

As a teen drivers, you are also required to complete thirty (30) hours of driving time or to pass a drivers education course which must be state approved. You will need to provide verification forms to prove that you’ve met these requirements.

Finding Drivers Education Courses

There are various ways to take a drivers education course. With the internet so widely used there are many drivers ed courses online that offer the course at a price with teachers available online so it’s convenient for the person (and parent). Instead of taking the person to the DMV office they are able to take the test online as well and the certificate is mailed to the home.

High schools and private schools may also offer the course and the course can be taken either after school or on the weekend. Check with your local school if you wish to use this option.

And there is also a course in which a workbook is mailed to the person and under the parents tutelage a person can study and take the test as soon as they are done with the workbook at a local DMV office.

Some students who have limited access to the Internet can opt for workbook courses. In such cases the material is mailed to the students. Students can take the exam as soon as they finish going through the study material. This is sometimes a better option as the students can study under the parent or guardian’s supervision. Students can take a written exam at a local DMV office and obtain a learner’s permit.

Another reason for Drivers Education

If you were to do the research I’m sure that more than 75% of states required a new driver to take a drivers education course; and, of course, successfully pass it. Some states require the course to be taken before getting a learners’ permit while others allow a new driver to immediately get their license.

Many insurance companies lower the insurance for the person after successfully taking a course and some states allow a driver to take a drivers education course in order to remove traffic violations.

Drivers education courses give an overview of driving and more importantly the particulars of driving a vehicle, road signs, possible ways to avoid hazards including driving in the rain etc.

I know I took a drivers’ education course and it helped me tremendously. I was more confident behind the wheel, more relaxed and able to pay attention to the road far easier than if I had a family member teach me.

There are various ways to take a drivers education course. With the internet so widely used there are many schools online that offer the course at a price with teachers available online so it’s convenient for the person (and parent). Instead of taking the person to the DMV office they are able to take the test online as well and the certificate is mailed to the home.

Alabama Drivers Education

The state of Alabama, young people ages 15-24 suffer the highest mortality rate due to automobile accidents. While taking a driver’s education course will not guarantee that no teen will ever have another car accident, these courses will help young people become more responsible and informed drivers. The most beneficial classes include both in-class and behind the wheel driving time.

The driving laws in the state of Alabama require that a learning driver be at least 15 years old. While learning to drive, passengers in the car of anyone age 15 must be at least 21 years old. This is to help decrease the amount of distractions an inexperienced driver faces. 15-year old drivers must hold a learner’s permit for at least six months before they can apply for a regular driver’s license. After you turn 16, your passengers can be any age as long as they have a driver’s license.

Teen drivers should have at least 30 hours of driving time or pass an approved state driver’s education program before they get their driver’s license. This driving experience will prove that the young driver is at least somewhat ready for the responsibility of driving, and that they understand the consequences for poor decision making or driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Driver’s education courses are electives in most public high schools in the state of Alabama.

Summer Driving Hazards

Summer means sunshine and vacations which also means children on bicycles, playing ball on the streets, and more traffic in certain areas. Your local neighborhood that was pretty quiet from 7ish to 3ish is now crowded with kids all over the place. They’ve got bikes and skateboards and rollerblades and may just ride into the road if they aren’t careful. They are throwing all sorts of balls around and some go into the street so beware of not only the ball but the child. You’ve got people walking all over the place. Instead of driving (and with the price of gas many more will try to avoid it) people are walking to the nearest park for some time for the kids to play so you’ve got more strollers around as well. On the roadways there are more people going to the beach and they aren’t in vehicles you have the dangers of motorcycles out more. With all that sunshine who can blame them for trying to get to the beach? You would do the same thing if you were on vacation but of course they all travel at the same time so while you don’t have bumper to bumper with people going to work you have MORE bumper to bumper traffic with people trying to get a good spot in the sand. Here’s another hazard of summer driving: the Sun itself. After a day at the beach you may find yourself a little “crisp” so take caution and get the sunscreen out and be cautious driving home. You don’t realize just how much you’re going to hurt when taking that turn with a burn! Also remember if you don’t know where you’re going, get out a map beforehand or go on line for directions. You can also ask for directions! No one will find this strange and it could save you gas instead of just driving around aimlessly.