Joshua's Law

Joshua’s Law is a Georgia state law enacted in 2007^[1] changing the class D driver's license requirements for teen drivers.^[2] A teen driver must meet the requirements to obtain a Class D Georgia driver’s license. The law was named after Joshua Brown, who lost his life in an accident in 2003.^[3] Joshua’s parents rallied with legislators in an effort to put stronger driver training laws into effect. The end result was a law that makes teens get more driving experience before obtaining a license.

Licensing procedure

The Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TADRA), enacted on July 1, 1997,^[4] necessitates a graduated three step driver licensing procedure for Georgia teens between the ages of 15 and 18. There are three separate classifications for teen driver licensing. Joshua’s Law, which went into effect January 1, 2007, added an additional educational requirement to the second step.

Step 1, the Learner's permit (Class CP license). Can operate a Class C vehicle when accompanied by a person at least 21 years of age who is licensed to drive a class C vehicle, who is fit and capable of exercising control over the vehicle, and who is occupying a seat beside the driver.^[5]

Step 2, the Intermediate license (Class D license). Drivers are 16 years of age, who have held an Instructional Permit for 12 months and 1 day and passed the state-administered comprehensive on-road driving test are eligible for this license. There are several restrictions on this license, which are:^[4]

No driving between the hours of 12am and 5am.
For the first six months, the only passengers allowed in the vehicle are immediate family members.
For the second six months the driver is allowed to carry passengers who are not immediate family members, as long as no more than one of those passengers is under 21 years of age.
After the second six months the driver is allowed up to three such passengers (persons under 21 who are not members of the driver's immediate family).
Joshua's Law - On or after January 1, 2007, any 16 year old who obtains an initial Class D license must have completed:
- You must have completed a driver education course approved by the Department of Driver Services and
- You also must have completed a cumulative total of at least forty (40) hours of other supervised driving experience, including at least six (6) hours at night.

Step 3, the Full license (Class C license). The Class C license is granted to drivers ages 18 years and older who have a class D license and have no major traffic convictions during the previous 12 months. Major traffic violations are as follows:^[4]

DUI
Eluding a police officer
Drag racing
Reckless driving
Hit and run
Any violation that assesses four or more points on the driver's license

References

↑ "Georgia Teen Driving Laws, Insurance Requirements & Drivers License". Driving Laws Website. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
↑ "Joshua's Law Explained". DDS Website. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
↑ Jeffery Whitfield (2007-01-11). "For father, driver's ed life's work" (PDF). Joshua Brown Foundation. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
1 2 3 "Teenage & Adult Driver Responsibility Act (TADRA)". State of Georgia Department of Driver Services. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
↑ "Ga DDS Instructional Permit (Class CP)".

External links

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