Series of Changes for Young Drivers

Cayuga County Clerk Sue Dwyer announced today a series of changes slated to go into effect immediately regarding the New York’s Graduated License Law. Dwyer said the changes are intended to protect younger drivers and are pertinent to junior permit holders that had scheduled their skills test for on or after February 22, 2010.Some of the forthcoming changes that will directly affect younger drivers include the following:• All junior permit holders will be required to hold their permit for six months prior to earning a junior license, except those who are 17 years old and already completed a “Student’s Certificate.” This time period does not include any time the permit holder spent either suspended or revoked.• Junior permit holders must have at least 50 hours of supervised driving including 15 hours after sunset and may not drive a vehicle containing more than one non-immediate family passenger under the age of 21.• Junior license holders may not drive a vehicle containing more than one non-immediate family passenger under the age of 21 unless accompanied by a supervising driver.• Individuals issued a limited use license before February 22, 2010 will continue to hold a limited use license and be subject to these restrictions until the ending date has been reached.• The new law does not allow any new limited use licenses to be issued after February 22, 2010.“Since studies have confirmed that inexperienced drivers are especially at risk when they have three or more young passengers riding with them, these modifications to the New York’s Graduated Licensing Law are designed to keep all drivers, passengers and roadways safer,” Dwyer said.