A modern young driver licensing system is a proven effective strategy for reducing teen driver crashes, making travel safer for young drivers and everyone who shares the roads with them. Unfortunately, Ohio’s system for licensing young drivers hasn’t kept up with the latest research on teen driver crashes and how to prevent them. As a result, young driver crash rates in Ohio remain unnecessarily high.

The good news is that modernizing Ohio’s young driver licensing system requires only two small but important adjustments to bring it in line with current scientific evidence:

• Lengthen the Temporary Instruction Permit from 6 to 12 months
• Ensure newly licensed teen drivers are supervised while driving after 10 p.m., rather than midnight, for the first 6 months of licensure, with exemptions for work, school and religious activities

House Bill 106, sponsored by Representative, Gary Scherer (R) and Representative Michael Sheehy (D), proposes to do just that.

Modernizing Ohio’s young driver licensing system in this way will provide teens with greater protection, give their parents more peace of mind, and make the roads safer for everyone. A modern young driver licensing system keeps Ohio’s teens, families and communities safe and strong.

Lengthen the Temporary Instruction Permit from 6 to 12 Months
Ohio’s young driver licensing system currently gives beginning drivers only 6 months to learn to be safe drivers. Research clearly indicates this is not long enough. A 12-month permit phase ensures every new driver has the chance to practice driving in all weather conditions with an adult along to help keep them safe. Parents of teen drivers in states that have a 12-month permit are extremely supportive.

Supervised Driving After 10 p.m.
Nighttime driving protections for newly licensed drivers protect them from the most dangerous driving conditions while they are still inexperienced and adjusting to driving without adult supervision. Under Ohio’s current system safeguards for teen drivers begin too late to do that. The majority of Ohio’s young driver nighttime crashes occur before midnight. Beginning nighttime driving protections at 10 p.m. for the first six months after licensure helps ensure newly licensed drivers are not exposed to this high-risk time before they develop the skills needed to cope with the dangers of driving at night.

For more information or to get involved with the Ohio GDL Coalition, please contact Kimberly Schwind, kschwind@aaaohio.com or Cheryl Parker, cparker@aaa-alliedgroup.com.

H.B. 106 Supporters
AAA
Akron Children’s Hospital
Allstate Insurance
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Property Casualty Insurance Association
Better Ohio Teen Drivers Inc.
DRVN
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Nationwide Insurance
National Safety Council
Ohio Health
Ohio PTA
Safe Kids Ohio
State Auto Insurance
State Farm Insurance

*Ohio Department of Transportation **AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety

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