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The following are details of the CURRENT and the PROPOSED changes to Indiana's GDL law.
Current GDL rules
Age to acquire Learner Permit: With Driver Education Enrollment, age 15 years of age. Without Driver Education, age 16 years of age.
Age to acquire Probationary Driver License: With Driver Education Enrollment, age 16 years and 1 month. Without Driver Education, age 16 years and 6 months.
Learner Permit Hold Period: Regardless of age and of Driver Education or not, all teens must hold their learner permit for 60 days from issue date of that permit.
Seat Belts: All occupants under the age of 18 MUST wear their seat belts while the vehicle is in motion. There are NO exceptions regarding vehicles and back seat -vs- front seat passengers.
Passengers: During the first 90 days of their Probationary License (i.e. under 18yrs old), NO passengers are allowed in the vehicle unless there is an adult age 21yrs old who holds a license in the front seat next to the underage driver. This includes siblings as well as other peers. There can be no more occupants than there are seat belts.
Night Driving Restrictions: Curfew hours of Sunday - Thursday 11pm - 5am, Friday/Saturday 1am - 5pm.
Age at which Probationary License Period Ends: The license held will become a standard operator license at age of 18. At which time the new driver will have no restrictions.
Currently there are NO other laws or restrictions other than those listed above.
NEW GDL rules (These rules take affect July 1, 2010)
Age to acquire Learner Permit: With Driver Education Enrollment, age 15 years and 6 months. Without Driver Education, age 16 years.
Learner Permit Hold Period:
Regardless of age and of Driver Education or not, all teens must hold
their learner permit for 6 months from issue date of that permit.
Age to acquire Probationary Driver License: With Driver Education completion, age 16 years and 6 months. Without Driver Education, age 16 years and 9 months. Parent must provide a record of at least 50 hours of driving practice in which 10 hours should be at night time. This practice must be supervised by parent, instructor, or relative of 25 years of age or older.
Seat Belts: All occupants under the age of 18 MUST wear their
seat belts while the vehicle is in motion. There are NO exceptions
regarding vehicles and back seat -vs- front seat passengers.
Passengers: During the first 180 days of their Probationary License (i.e under 18yrs old), NO passengers
are allowed in the vehicle unless there is an adult age 25yrs old who
holds a license in the front seat next to the underage driver. A sibling or a child of the driver WILL be allowed during this 180 day period. There can be no more occupants than there are seat belts.
Night Driving Restrictions: During first 180 days, 10pm - 5am every day of the week. After 180 days, normal curfew hours. Work, school, and church related functions are exempt. If accompanied by a 25 year old or older front seat passenger, teen is exempt from this restriction.
Cell Phones and other Handheld Devices:
Prohibits the use of any telecommunication device such as a cell phone (includes handsfree devices) to all drivers under 18 years of age. There will be an exemption to allow for Emergency 911 calls.
Age at which Probationary License Period Ends:
The license held will become a standard operator license at age of 18.
At which time the new driver will have no restrictions.
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