129132936_652882415c_zFor every teenager under the age of 18 wishing to drive, the state requires an instructional driver’s permit. This permit is the first step towards receiving an official driver’s license before reaching the age of 18. The process of obtaining this permit requires both the child and the parent to be aware of traffic laws that are applicable in their state.

Certain laws are specified to both parties i.e. the driver and parents in order to be aware of what is required. Any lack of obeying these laws may result in the permit holder losing their permit for several months. In order to avoid this, it is essential that both parties educate themselves on the permit laws, discussed below.

Requirements

  • An applicant applying for the instructional driver’s permit must be between the age of 15 ½ and 18 years old. Once they reach 16 they will be eligible to take the driver’s test for their license as long as all hours have been completed for their permit.
  • Permit drivers must complete 50 hours of supervised driving and 10 must be night hours. The permit holder must have an instruction permit signed by a parent or legal guardian stating that the hours have been completed in order to take the test to receive their license.
  • In order to obtain a permit the applicant must fill out the DMV application and have their parent or legal guardian’s signature at the end of the form.
  • The applicant must bring an official document which proves their date of birth or legal presence, such as a birth certificate or U.S. citizen identification card, and an accurate social security card.
  • The application fee of $26 must be paid on the day of the application. Once the applicant receives their permit it will be valid for one year. If they do not complete their required hours before one year they will have to pay the fee again in order to receive a new permit.
  • The applicant will be required to pass an eye exam in which both eyes will be tested for accurate vision and a road sign test in which the applicant will name various signs they will encounter while driving.
  • An accurate proof of the applicant’s participation in Driver’s Education will be required on the day of the application.
  • A law test will be given to the applicant in which they must answer 46 questions and are only permitted to get nine wrong. If the test is failed the applicant must wait one week before taking it again.
  • Once the permit is received the driver must hold it for six months before applying for their license. Those six months start the day the permit holder begins driving.

Restrictions

  • A permit driver must have their parent, legal guardian or licensed driver over 25 in the car with them at all times. They must be sitting in the passenger seat to take control of the vehicle if necessary.
  • The permit driver must have their permit with them at all times while driving and the assisting passenger must have their license as well.
  • A permit driver does not have permission to drive alone at any time even if they are going to the DMV to take a driver’s test.

The receiving of an instructional driver’s permit requires correct documentation and completed eye and road sign tests. Once the permit is received, the driver must complete their total number of hours in order to receive their official driver’s license. With a parent or legal guardian chaperoning at all times, and documenting all driving hours, the permit driving experience can be completed within a period of six months.

[Image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/willismonroe/129132936]

The following two tabs change content below.

Scott Desind

Scott Desind | Traffic Ticket Attorneys The Traffic Ticket Attorneys, Desind and Klijian, have over 25 years of experience fighting traffic tickets. Our attorneys are well respected and known for their experience in fighting traffic tickets, specialized knowledge of the law and procedures and results by the court personnel, officers, deputies, competitors and clients.