Examination of State Legislation Related to Novice Drivers (2017-2021)

Darrah, J; Finstad, K; Thomas, F. D.; Kyle, M; Taylor, E; Fell, J.; Smith, S. A.; Brunsen, E; Watson, C E

doi:10.21949/02wk-3827

i

Examination of State Legislation Related to Novice Drivers (2017-2021)

2026-11-01
By Darrah, J ; Finstad, K ; Thomas, F. D. ; Kyle, M ; Taylor, E ; Fell, J. ; Smith, S. A. ; Brunsen, E ; Watson, C E

File Language:

English

Details

Creators:

Darrah, J ; Finstad, K ; Thomas, F. D. ; Kyle, M ; Taylor, E ; Fell, J. ; Smith, S. A. ; Brunsen, E ; Watson, C E
Corporate Creators:

Dunlap and Associates, Inc. ; Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation ; National Opinion Research Center ; United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Office of Behavioral Safety Research
Corporate Publisher:

United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Corporate Contributors:

United States. Department of Transportation. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:
Publication/ Report Number:

DOT HS 813 888
DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21949/02wk-3827
Resource Type:

Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:

United States
Edition:

Final Report
Contracting Officer:

Watson, Christine
Description:

This study investigated the reported "slowdown" in the adoption of increased-restriction State graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws in the 50 United States by analyzing 335 novice-driver-related bills introduced from 2017 to 2021. We used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative analyses of legislative data with qualitative case studies of individual bills. Results showed 21.5 percent of proposed novice-driver-related bills were enacted, and legislation making State GDL programs less restrictive had significantly higher odds of enactment and greater legislative progress than bills making GDL programs more restrictive. Case study findings show stakeholders believe there has been a legislative shift toward other safety priorities, such as impaired or distracted driving, along with a desire to increase teen mobility in areas lacking transportation alternatives. Study results give critical context for States and State Highway Safety Offices and inform future research on the impact of these changes to licensing requirements on novice driver safety.
Format:

PDF
Funding:

693JJ921R000019
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/94263/dot_94263_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 817.49 KB]
Collection(s):

NHTSA - Behavioral Safety Research
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:0eccb329b7a05675877b29843b456a38772d498dfd46a81e47af341a4ae111090130bf8103e181d0e282ec5215321422c1c85bf83cbb9ecf1d15d782986f315a

File Language:

English

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