Full Notification

On December 27, 2011 provisions of act 81 take effect. The law changes the vehicle code regarding graduated driver licensing requirements, (section 1505 (e) ), passenger restrictions for junior drivers (section 1503 (c) ), and passenger restraint laws, (section 4571 (a) and (b) ).

Act 81 increases supervised, behind-the-wheel skill building for learner’s permit holders less than 18 years of age from 50 hours to 65 hours. Ten of the added hours must consist of nighttime driving, while the other five additional hours must be driven in poor weather conditions. Also, for the first six months after receiving their junior driver’s license, a driver is not permitted to have more than one passenger under the age of 18 who is not an immediate family member, (brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister of the junior driver and adopted or foster children living in the same household as the junior driver), in their vehicle unless they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

After the expiration of the first six months from issuance of the junior driver’s license, if they have not been convicted of a driving violation or been partially or fully responsible for a reportable crash, they may have up to three passengers under the age of 18 who are not immediate family members without a parent or legal guardian present.

If they have any convictions or are partially or fully responsible for a reportable crash while a junior driver, they are once again restricted to one passenger. Passenger restrictions under act 81 also change passenger restrictions, dictating that drivers and occupants in a vehicle who are under the age of 18 must wear a properly adjusted and fastened seat belt, and children under the age of eight must be securely fastened into a child restraint system.

Failure to comply with the new law’s seat belt provision is a primary offense, meaning that a driver can be pulled over and cited solely for that violation.

A fact sheet and frequently asked questions regarding act 81 can be found on penndot’s driver and vehicle services web site, www.dmv.state.pa.us click on the button titled “New Teen Driver Law 2011".