Illinois Graduated Drivers License
Graduated drivers license is the program utilized by many states to ensure the safety of teenage drivers. Illinois is not an exception to this rule, launching the Illinois graduated drivers license program in January 1, 2008.
What is the Graduated Drivers License
According to the national statistics, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for people aged 15-20. This is very serious matter, as traffic crashes is something that can definitely be avoided in most cases. Approximately 12% of all drivers involved in road accidents that resulted in fatalities were also from the same age group, 15-20, although the age group only amounts to around 6% of all drivers in the country.
The statistics clearly show that this age group is a high risk when it comes to driving. Risk taking behavior and lack of the driving experience are the major factors that contribute to the risk the teenage drivers may pose to themselves and those around them.
The graduated drivers license programs are designed to slowly immerse teenagers into driving and provide a multi-step process of obtaining a drivers license. The teenager proceeds through different levels of the program, each level gradually introducing more challenges to the driver and slowly preparing them for the on road experience. The graduated drivers license program also involves drivers education classes, courses that can help the teen study the road rules and safe driving techniques before the teenage driver is allowed behind the wheel.
Illinois Graduated Drivers License
The Illinois graduated driver license program was enacted in January 1, 2008, and it applies to all Illinois drivers license or Illinois learners permit applicants who are under 17 years and 9 months old.
The Illinois GDL program increased the minimum holding period for the permit from 3 to 9 months, introduced compulsory drivers education classes and increased the minimum number of supervised driving hours to 50.
The graduated driver license program also imposed additional restrictions and limitations onto the learners permit and the drivers license holders.