Welcome to the Exciting World of Teen Drivers

Good drivers dont just happen. The skills, judgment, behaviors and knowledge necessary to safely operate a vehicle take time to develop. Your teen has acquired new and important knowledge and skills in driver education about basic vehicle operation such as turning, backing and parking. Typically, these skills are not difficult for young drivers to master. Other skills require more practice. Young drivers have more difficulty maintaining attention and knowing when and how to search for potential hazards. The ability to judge distance can be challenging. The next step requires a partnership between you and your new driver. Vermont's graduated driver licensing law requires additional behind-the-wheel training in a safe, supervised setting. Consider this guidebook a toolbox. It includes clear conceptual ideas that should become an important part of your teens practice time. By design, it describes basic skills required in everyday driving, where to practice these concepts, and how to get the most out of your time behind the wheel. As you and your teen become comfortable in simpler driving situations, look for more complex traffic environments. Whether you live in a rural setting or a more urban community, allow your teen to observe, analyze and drive in progressively larger, more complex settings. For instance, allow your teen to practice when weather limits visibility or there is reduced traction, or to parallel park on busier streets. Your teens decision-making skills will develop with appropriate guidance, encouragement and feedback. Reinforce good habits such as proper following time. Take the time to discuss the goals, driver behaviors and skills you practiced. The skills and behaviors your teen learns now can become part of safe driving habits that last a lifetime. Enjoy this special time with your teen driver.
Pg. 1

Printed by the Vermont Department of Education Office of Driver & Traffic Safety Education

This Guide provides practice tips for the supervising driver to use during the required 40 hours practice. It works like this: A traffic light graphic is placed where a tip may be new information to the supervising driver. Use this opportunity to talk with your teen driver about the methods learned in their driver education course. Pages 7-18 describe good driving habits drivers use whenever they are driving. Practice these until they are the teens habits. Pages 19-35 describe basic driving maneuvers with a step-by-step sequence for the teen drivers practice. The section on common errors will help guide the teen toward good habits. Page 38 contains sample ideas for a contract on driving privileges between you and your teen driver Track your teen drivers progress on the Checklist, page 39 Document your practice time on the driving log, pages 40-44 Keep this Guide in your car, refer to it, write in it, use it.

How to Use This Guide

Some Tips Before You Start

Following these guidelines will enhance your experience: Set aside time for practice Be relaxed and keep your voice calm Give clear feedback immediately and precisely Plan your route before you start; rush hour traffic may not be the best time to practice Ask questions, such as Where were you looking, or What are the steps for this maneuver? Know when to talk; a complicated maneuver may require lots of concentration Avoid talking about issues such as homework, etc. Be supportive and positive; this will promote success Set a good example when you drive Reinforce the skills taught by the driver education instructor
Pg.2

Printed by the Vermont Department of Education Office of Driver & Traffic Safety Education

The Graduated Driver Licensing Law

Vermonts Graduated Driver Licensing program is designed to reduce the number of teen driver citations and collisions by giving young drivers more driving experience before becoming fully licensed. The Learner Permit issued to the teen driver after successfully passing the Dept. of Motor Vehicle written and eye test must be in the drivers possession while driving. The permit is valid for two years from the date of issue. If the permit expires during the supervising instruction period, a new permit must be purchased. The Vermont Learner Permit is only valid in the state of Vermont.

Teen drivers are required to follow these restrictions:

Teen drivers must practice driving with a supervising driver for a minimum of 40 hours of driving time 10 of those 40 hours must be at night The permit must be in the teen drivers immediate possession The supervising driver must have a valid license, be at least 25 years of age and sit in the seat beside the teen driver No other passengers are allowed in the front seat All occupants must wear a safety belt or be restrained by child restraints Observe all laws regarding the use of alcohol or other intoxicating substances If the permit is suspended the teen driver will have to wait for it to be reinstated and be violation free for six months before being eligible to apply for Jr. operator's license.

A Learner Permit can be suspended for:

Conviction of a traffic violation (speeding, running a red light or not stopping for a stop sign, etc.) Violation of the permit restrictions (driver and passengers not wearing seat belts, permit not in teen drivers possession, etc.) Any suspension ordered by the court or diversion board, such as-non payment of a citation, failure to attend crash school, etc.

Pg.3

Printed by the Vermont Department of Education Office of Driver & Traffic Safety Education

Graduating to the Licensing Stage

After reaching 16 years of age, successfully completing an approved driver education program, logging 40 hours of supervised driving practice (10 of which are at night) and holding a valid learner permit for one year a teen driver may apply for a Junior operators license. The teen must have maintained a driving record without a learner's permit suspension, revocation or recall for six consecutive months prior to licensure. A junior operator's license shall entitle the holder to operate a registered vehicle with owner consent, but shall not entitle him or her to operate a motor vehicle in the course of his or her employment or for the direct or indirect compensation for one year following the issuance of the license. During the first three months of operation, the holder of a junior operator's license is restricted to driving alone or with a licensed parent, guardian, person 25 years of age or a certified driver education instructor (in the front seat). During the following three months, a junior operator may transport family members or drive alone. No person with a junior operator's license shall transport more passengers than there are safety belts. A person operating a motor vehicle by virtue of a learner permit or junior operator's license convicted of operating while unaccompanied shall be subject to a penalty of not more than $50.00 and his or her permit or junior operator's license shall be recalled for a period of 90 days.

Here are the steps:

1.

Make an appointment with Central Scheduling at the Dept. of Motor Vehicles for the road test. 802-828-2085 2. Make an appointment with the school instructor if the school offers third party testing.

Licensing Fees

Learner Permit:
First exam fee is $20.00 + permit fee of $10.00 Subsequent exam fee is $15.00 + permit fee of $10.00 There is an additional fee of $5.00 for photo ID First road test fee $5.00 + $23.00 license fee Subsequent road test fee $5.00 + $23.00 license fee There is an additional $5.00 fee for photo ID

Jr. Operators License:

Pg.4

Printed by the Vermont Department of Education Office of Driver & Traffic Safety Education

HOW CAN YOU LOSE YOUR LICENSE or DRIVING PRIVILEGE?

Underage Alcohol violations is one way. ACT.160 effective 7/1/2000 This act created 7 V.S.A. 656. A new civil violation for individuals age 16 to 20 misrepresenting age, procuring, possessing or consuming liquors. If caught and ticketed, you have to pay a $50 to $75 fine. You will also be required to contact the Teen Alcohol Safety Program (TASP) of Vermont Court Diversion and participate in an alcohol abuse evaluation, follow the recommendations of the counselor and other requirements. All of these programs require additional fees. In addition, if you fail to pay the fine, complete TASP or other Diversion requirements your license or privilege to drive will be SUSPENDED. These suspensions can vary from 30 days to 90 days, to indefinite depending on the reason. Additional fees will be due DMV in order to be reinstated. This act also increased the penalties under the existing 7 V.S.A. 657 criminal violation for individuals under 21 for the same alcohol violations to include a license suspension of 120 days for a subsequent violation. It also allows the State's Attorney to require as a condition of a Diversion referral that a person relinquish their license for 60 days.
Pg. 5

Printed by the Vermont Department of Education Office of Driver & Traffic Safety Education

Departmental Policy/APA
Failure to pay Penalty for Minor's Possession of Tobacco Products, pursuant to 7 V.S.A. 1005 - effective 07/01/97;;;: The following criteria has been developed for suspensions issued by this Department upon notification by the Vermont Traffic and Municipal Bureau that a person under the age of eighteen has failed to pay a penalty for possession of tobacco products. For a first offense by a person under age 15, initial licensing of that person shall be delayed until compliance is received from the Bureau. For a first offense by a person 15 years of age and older, where no learner permit or license has been issued, initial licensing shall be delayed until compliance is received from the bureau. For a second or subsequent offense the learner permit or license shall be suspended for 90 days and until compliance is received from the bureau. For a second or subsequent offense by a person under age 15, initial licensing of that person shall be delayed for one year and until compliance is received from the Bureau. This action shall become effective with 15 days notice or upon the person's 15th birthday, whichever affords greater "lead time". For a second or subsequent offense by a person 15 years of age and older, where no learner permit or license has been issued, initial licensing shall be delayed for one year and until compliance is received from the Bureau.
Pg. 6

Printed by the Vermont Department of Education Office of Driver & Traffic Safety Education