GDL restrictions: belts, passengers, night & phones
A 3-minute lesson from the Maryland course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Driving is a privilege, not a right, and the MVA can restrict your license to keep you safe. New drivers carry four built-in restrictions. Breaking a restriction is a serious offense that can cost you your privileges.
Driving restriction
A limitation of your driving privileges, based on your license type or imposed because you broke motor vehicle laws.
The handbook lists these restrictions for graduated license holders under 18. Driving in violation of a restriction is a serious offense; you could lose your driving privileges.
Passenger restriction: with a Provisional License and under 18, you may not drive unsupervised with passengers under 18 for the first 151 days, unless they are immediate family members.
Wireless device restriction: with a Provisional License or Learner's Permit you may not use any wireless communication device, including a hands-free phone, while driving. The only exception is a 911 emergency call.
You're 17, got your Provisional License 2 months ago, and want to drive your 16-year-old friend home from practice, just the two of you. You can't: you're inside the first 151 days and she isn't immediate family. Your cousin who lives at your address would be allowed.
Put it into practice
At 12:30 a.m. you're driving home from your job at a restaurant. That's allowed under the nighttime restriction. Driving home from a friend's party at that hour is not.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Who must always use a safety belt under the seat belt restriction for a Provisional License holder?
Only the driver
Only front-seat passengers
The driver and all passengers
Only passengers under 18
Answer: The driver and all passengers
You must always use a safety belt with a Provisional License, and all passengers must use belts or child safety seats.
Which trip may a Provisional License holder make unsupervised at 1:00 a.m.?
Driving home from a friend's party
Driving home from their job
Driving to a late-night movie
Driving a friend to the airport
Answer: Driving home from their job
Between midnight and 5 a.m., a Provisional License holder may drive unsupervised only to, from, or during a job, or to or from a volunteer program, school activity, or athletic event they take part in.