New Connecticut Teen Driving Laws

In a ceremony at Conard High School in West Hartford this afternoon, Governor M. Jodi Rell signed a bill into law that tightens restrictions on teen drivers and levies tougher penalties for teens who violate the rules of the road. The bill, spearheaded by Governor Rell, toughens restrictions and penalties, rolls back the evening curfew for teen drivers and provides for more on-the-road training of teen drivers.

“We have lost far too many irreplaceable young lives in recent years,” Governor Rell said. “What makes these terrible tragedies on our roads even harder to bear is that every single one is avoidable. This new law will strengthen our legal tools for training and protecting young drivers, and I believe it will help to save lives. Connecticut will now have some of the strongest graduated driving licensing regulations in the country.”


So, what does the new Connecticut Teen Driving Law mean for you?

• Drivers under 18 must be off the road by 11 p.m., one hour earlier than now; exceptions are allowed for jobs, school and religious reasons.
• Parents must attend two hours of instruction on teen-driving laws before a child takes his or her license test.
• Fines are increased for certain moving violations and for violations of the passenger restriction, the curfew restriction and for cell phone violations.
• On-road training is doubled, from 20 hours to 40 hours, for teens getting learner's permits after August 1.
• Penalties are increased for teen drivers' passengers not wearing seat belts.
• Suspension periods are increased for 16- and 17-year-olds for reckless driving and motor vehicle racing. (Suspension of six months for the first offense.)
• License suspensions are established for speeding (60 days) and for use of cell phones (30 days) by 16- and 17-year-olds.
• Teens who violate provisions of the graduated license rules would lose their privileges for 30 days.
• To regain a suspended license, the 16- or 17-year-old and his parent or legal guardian must appear in person at the police department, state police barracks, or other designated location and sign a written acknowledgement of its return.
  

“I thank all the members of my Teen Driving Task Force,” Governor Rell said. “They did the leg work and the research, held the meetings, listened to the public’s ideas and made recommendations. I commend the legislature for this bipartisan effort."

“I also thank the public for providing our task force with valuable input during the statewide forums. You shared stories about your loved ones. You spoke of personal tragedies that could have been prevented. You had a major impact in crafting this law.”

The law, HB-5748, “An Act Concerning Teenage Drivers,” takes effect August 1, 2008.

For more information please visit:
http://www.ct.gov/teendriving/cwp/view.asp?Q=413528&A=3369