New law on teen drivers takes effect Tuesday

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A new law affecting when teenagers are allowed to drive and how many people they can have in the car with them takes effect Tuesday. <br/><br/>The graduated driver's license system

Thursday, October 27th 2005, 2:17 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A new law affecting when teenagers are allowed to drive and how many people they can have in the car with them takes effect Tuesday.

The graduated driver's license system requires new teenage drivers to hold a learner's permit for six months before applying for the new intermediate license.

The intermediate license allows the teenager to drive only between 5 AM and 11 PM unless driving to work, church or school or if a licensed driver at least 21 is in the front seat of the car. It also allows the teen to have just one passenger unless all passengers are family or there is a licensed driver at least 21 in the front seat.

Teenagers can get a full driver's license after six months if they complete a driver education course, otherwise they must wait one year for a license.

AAA Oklahoma says teenagers make up just seven percent of all registered drivers, but account for 15 to 17 of all traffic crash victims.