Driving Laws for 16 and 17 Year Olds

 

*Effective August 1, 2008*

Curfew - Driving is Prohibited between the hours of 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM.

                Exceptions:

·       Traveling for employment or

·       School or religious activities or

·       Medical necessity or

·       An assigned driver in the Safe Ride Program or

·       Active member of department (Fire or EMS) responding to an emergency

Passengers – The First 6 Months from the issue date on the license: No Passengers

                Exceptions:

·       Passenger is a licensed driving instructor or

·       Passenger is at least 20 years old giving instruction and has held a license for at

        least 4 years and has not been suspended within the last 4 years or

·       Passenger(s) is one or both parents or legal guardian who holds a valid license

·       Passenger is an active member of department (Fire or EMS) responding to an

        emergency

Passengers – The Second 6 Months from the issue date on the license: No Passengers

                Exceptions:

·       The above mentioned exceptions for the first 6 months, and

·       Passenger is a member of the operator’s immediate family

Seat Safety Belts – Operators under 18 years of age may not transport more passengers than the number of permanently installed seat safety belts.

Motorcycle – No Passenger for the first six months of issue date of motorcycle (“M”) endorsement

Public Service/Van Pool – No Operation Permitted of a taxicab, livery service, service bus, motor bus, school bus, student transportation vehicle, activity vehicle or van pool vehicle, until age 18.  

Reminder – The above section pertains to 16 and 17 year old operators issued a graduated driver’s license on or after August 1, 2008.  The graduated license restrictions that were in effect for those who were issued licenses on or before July 31, 2008 will remain in effect until the expiration of their respective graduated license.  

Section 14-219(a)(4), enacted by Public Act 08-32 states in part;

“No person shall operate any motor vehicle… if such person is under eighteen years of age, upon any highway or road for which a speed limit of less than sixty-five miles per hour has been established in accordance with subsection (a) of section 14-218a, at a rate of speed twenty miles per hour or more above such speed limit.

As of August 1, 2008, all occupants in a vehicle operated by a person under 18 years of age (regardless of the license issue date) must wear a seat safety belt.  This includes back seat passengers as well as front seat passengers.    

*Penalties*

Penalties - A violation of any graduated license restrictions (regardless of the issue date) on or after August 1, 2008 will result in:

·       The immediate seizure of the operator’s license, and

·       The immediate suspension of the operator’s license for 48 hours, and

·       Towing/Removal of the vehicle from the roadway at the discretion of the officer

·       The issuance of an infraction with a monetary fine that may also result in a license

        suspension (click here for additional information)

In addition to the graduated license restriction, the following offenses also mandate the immediate seizure of the operator’s license and suspension for 48 hours and subject to removal of the vehicle:

·       Section 14-219(a)(4) Speeding over 20 miles per hour over the speed limit

·       Section 14-222 Reckless Driving

·       Section 14-224(c) Racing on a public highway

·       Section 14-227a Operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs

·       Section 14-227g Operating with a .02 BAC or higher

*In order to regain possession of the seized license, after the 48 hours suspension, in any of the above mentioned situations, the youthful operator and parent/legal guardian shall appear at the police department, state police barracks or other location determined by the police officer and sign written acknowledgment of the return of such license.  

Parental Requirement (New) – A parent/guardian of a 16 or 17 year old who is issued a learner’s permit on or after August 1, 2008, must attend a two hour instruction course with the 16 or 17 year old prior to the issuance of a driver's license. The instruction course includes information about statutory provisions applicable to driver’s less that 18 years of age, the dangers of teen driving, the cognitive development of adolescents, the responsibilities and liabilities of parents of teenage drivers and other related topics.  

If you any questions about the new laws, you can visit the following links:

or call the Simsbury Police Department at 658-3100.