Galveston car accident lawyers respond that graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs are designed to phase-in driving autonomy and responsibility for teens and other new drivers. When drivers first obtain their restricted GDL licenses, they must have supervision while driving. The more hours they spend driving, the more autonomy they receive. The Texas GDL program, started in 2002, uses a 2-phase program to license teen drivers.

Phase One, drivers under 18 years of age must:

Hold a learner or hardship license for a minimum of six months.
Be accompanied by a person at least 21 years of age.
Maintain a valid learner license. If a learner license is suspended or revoked, the remaining six-month period must be completed after the suspension has ended.

(Our Galveston car accident lawyers note that Phase One doesn’t apply to motorcycle license or hardship license holders.) When a teen completes phase one, reaches the age of 16, and completes drivers’ education classroom and driving instruction, he or she may obtain a provisional driver’s license and graduate to Phase Two.

Phase Two:
Phase Two restricts the driving privileges of provisional license holders, and motorcycle/moped license holders less than 17 years of age during the 12-month period following issuance of the license.

For Phase Two, the following restrictions apply:

• The new driver may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger in the vehicle under the age of 21 who is not a family member,
• The driver may not operate a motor vehicle, or a motorcycle/moped unless in sight of the person’s parent/guardian, between midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a medical emergency,
• The driver may not operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device, except in the case of an emergency.
• The license restriction will state, “TRC 545.424 applies until MM/DD/YY” and will indicate the date Phase Two expires.

Learn how to keep your teens safe behind the wheel. Read our Galveston car accident lawyers’ teen driving safety article.