10/21/08-In hopes of making the state’s roadways safer, Indiana state lawmakers next year are expected to consider a bill that would toughen teen driving restrictions.
A legislative study committee created to look into teen driving restrictions approved preliminary proposals to change the state’s teen driving rules. Among the options the group decided to pursue include making young drivers wait a little longer to get behind the wheel, and prohibiting the use of cell phones and other mobile communication devices.
Indiana law now allows teens to obtain a learner’s permit at age 15, as long as they are enrolled in a driver’s education course. A probationary license can be obtained at 16 years and one month.
Currently, anyone under 18 with a probationary license is prohibited from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Exceptions are made for teens driving to and from school, work or church.
Additionally, affected drivers are not allowed to have passengers in the vehicle for the first 90 days unless an adult is in the front seat.
Among the changes endorsed by the study committee for stricter teen driving rules are raising the minimum licensing age to 16 years and six months if teens take driver’s education classes, 17 years without classes. Licenses now are available at 16 years and one month.
Teens with license permits also would be required to complete 50 hours of supervised practice driving. At least 10 hours of nighttime driving would be mandated before obtaining their licenses.
The preliminary proposals to amend rules on teen driving can be considered during the 2009 regular session.

9/23/08-In hopes of making the state’s roadways safer, Indiana state lawmakers could soon consider a bill that would toughen teen driving restrictions.
Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among people aged 15 to 20 in Indiana and the nation. During a 10-year period that ended in 2004, nearly 900 lives were lost in crashes involving teen drivers in the state.
Advocates for tougher teen rules say young drivers are less likely to have fatal wrecks in states with strong restrictions to ease them into driving.
A legislative study committee created to look into teen driving restrictions met recently to discuss possible changes to the state’s teen driving rules. Among the options brought up for consideration include making young drivers wait a little longer to get behind the wheel, include further nighttime and passenger restrictions.
Indiana law now allows teens to obtain a learner’s permit at age 15, as long as they are enrolled in a driver’s education course. A probationary license can be obtained at 16 years and one month.
Currently, anyone under 18 with a probationary license is prohibited from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Exceptions are made for teens driving to and from school, work or church.
Additionally, affected drivers are not allowed to have passengers in the vehicle for the first 90 days unless an adult is in the front seat.
Among the changes sought by advocates for stricter teen driving rules are raising the minimum learner’s permit age to 16. The minimum licensing age would be 16 years and six months.
Also on the agenda for consideration is increasing the learner’s permit period from two months to six months and requiring teens with permits to complete 50 hours of supervised practice driving.
In addition, other possibilities include lengthening passenger restrictions from 90 days to 180 days and extending the nighttime driving prohibition to as early as 9 p.m.
The study panel is scheduled to meet again Oct. 10 to discuss the issue. They will work on recommendations for a bill to amend rules on teen driving in the 2009 regular session.