NEWS RELEASE



For further information please contact: Captain J. T. "Tim" Hull

(573) 526-6115

Q09067

September 12, 2006



EMPHASIS: Graduated Driver's License Passenger Restriction Law





On August 28, 2006 a passenger restriction was placed on those individuals driving in the Intermediate License level of the Graduated Driver’s License. The new law states: For the first six months after issuance of the Intermediate Driver’s License, the holder of the license shall not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger who is under the age of 19 who is not a member of the holder’s immediate family. An immediate family member is defined in this section and shall include brothers, sisters, stepbrothers, or stepsisters of the driver, including adopted or foster children residing in the same household of the Intermediate Driver’s License holder. After the expiration of the first six months, the holder of an Intermediate Driver’s License shall not operate a motor vehicle with more than three passengers who are under 19 years of age and who are not members of the holder’s immediate family. The passenger restrictions do not apply to the Intermediate Driver’s License holder who is operating a motor vehicle being used in agricultural work-related activities.



Obviously those young drivers obtaining their Intermediate License after August 28, 2006, are affected by the new law. However, there seems to be some confusion with the new law and how it affects those Intermediate Driver’s License holders who obtained their Intermediate Driver’s License prior to August 28, 2006.



Intermediate Driver’s License holders who obtained their Intermediate License prior to August 28, 2006, and who are still in their first six months of the Intermediate License are restricted to one passenger under the age of 19 who is not an immediate family member. Intermediate Driver’s License holders who obtained their Intermediate Driver’s License prior to August 28, 2006, and who have surpassed their first six months are restricted to three passengers under the age of 19 who are not members of the immediate family.



The intent of the law is to keep young drivers safe by reducing the number of distractions within the vehicle. Driver inattention is currently the number one contributing circumstance to traffic crashes in Missouri.