Arizona Learners Permit Restrictions - AZ Instruction Permit Rules
When you receive your first learners permit, whether it's a graduated instruction permit or an operator permit, it comes with a number of permit restrictions that must be observed immaculately. Arizona learners permit restrictions were designed to keep you safe until you gain some driving experience. A separate set of Arizona graduated drivers license restrictions were also devised for teenage drivers.
Why Do We Need Permit Restrictions
There is a simple reason why permit restrictions were developed and introduced and that is traffic safety. Newly licensed drivers usually lack any driving experience whatsoever and this frequently leads to traffic accident. Unlike more experienced drivers, newly licensed drivers are unable to recognize a potentially dangerous situation before it is too late to take action against it.
The situation is even worse with teenage drivers, who have the highest crash rates among all other age groups. One in every five drivers under the age of 18 has a traffic accident during the first year of driving and traffic accidents is a number one cause of death for people of ages 15 to 20. In order to address this issue, the state has developed a graduated drivers license program that introduces additions restrictions for teenagers and governs the whole licensing procedure for drivers under the age of 18.
The whole point of the Arizona permit restrictions is to provide drivers with a chance to gain some driving experience in a relatively safe driving environment before they start driving on public roads. Although you may view learners permit restrictions as an inconvenience right now, they are in place to keep you safe.
Age Dependent Instruction Permit Restrictions
If you are 18 years of age or older, there are not that many driver permit restrictions that you need to observe. Once you receive your Arizona learners permit, you can start driving, but you must have a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old seated next to you at all times. The supervising driver must be prepared to take control of the vehicle at any time. Ideally, the driver should coach you on safe driving practices, pinpoint your mistakes and help you become a better driver faster. If you don't have anyone who could supervise your driving sessions, you can schedule some driving lessons with a professional driving instructor.
Although there is only one permit restriction that you have to observe, you must still take the same tests as younger drivers. You have to pass an Arizona learners permit test before you can be issued with an operator learners permit. You may wish to take some practice permit test before you go in for the real thing.
If you are under 18 years of age, you have to observe the same permit restrictions as older drivers. However, unlike drivers over the age of 18, there are additional graduated license requirements for you to fulfill. You must hold your graduated instruction permit for at least six months and you must complete an Arizona drivers education class before you can apply for your drivers license. Drivers ed classes can be replaced for 30 hours of supervised driving with a parent or legal guardian.
Graduated License Restrictions
When you fulfill the permit requirements and pass the drivers test, you are granted an Arizona class G drivers license. This license allows you to drive alone, but it still comes with the following restrictions that need to be observed for the first six months following the issuance of the license:
- Curfew. No driving alone between midnight and 5 a.m.
- Passenger restrictions. No more than one passenger under the age of 18 is allowed to be in the vehicle, unless passengers are members of the driver's immediate family.
These restrictions don't need to be observed if you have your parent seated in the front seat next to you.
The restrictions can be lifted after 6 months, provided you don't commit any traffic offenses. Detailed information on traffic violations and consequences of these offenses is provided in Arizona drivers handbook.
