The JOL law also reaches learner's permit holders aged 16½ to 18. Break a rule while on your permit and it's suspended, you'll retake the permit exam, and because a suspension restarts your six permit months, your road test gets pushed back.
Permit suspensions (junior operators)
| Conviction | Suspension (1st; 2nd; later) |
|---|---|
| Driving without a licensed driver | 60 days; 180 days; 1 year |
| Driving during the night restriction | 60 days; 180 days; 1 year |
| Speeding | 90 days; 1 year for 2nd or later |
| Drag racing | 1 year; 3 years for 2nd or later |
| Mobile electronic device (text or phone) | 60 days; 180 days; 1 year |
| Negligent operation and injury from phone use | 180 days; 1 year for 2nd or later |
Know the rule
Every permit suspension for driving without a licensed driver, the night restriction, speeding, drag racing or phone use requires you to retake the learner's permit exam.
Handbook p. 71 ↗Know the rule
A second offense of driving without a licensed driver or during the night restriction also requires a Driver Attitudinal Retraining course. Every drag racing offense requires that course, and you may also be required to take SCARR.
Handbook p. 71 ↗Know the rule
Reinstatement fees: $100 for most permit suspensions, $500 for negligent operation and injury from phone use, and $500 (first) or $1,000 (later) for drag racing.
Handbook p. 71 ↗Know the rule
A first permit conviction for phone use brings a $100 fine, a new permit exam and a Driver Attitudinal Retraining course. The fine is $250 for a second offense and $500 for a third.
Handbook p. 71 ↗Offenses that add an extra junior operator suspension (c. 90, §24P):
- Operating under the influence (OUI), including OUI with serious bodily injury
- Operating to endanger, or reckless/negligent operation
- Leaving the scene of a crash
- Drinking from an open alcohol container
- Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
- Loaning, or allowing another to use, your license or learner's permit
- Motor vehicle homicide
Extra suspension for a junior operator's first §24P offense (1 year for a later offense), on top of any other suspension required by law
Handbook p. 73 ↗Know the rule
This extra suspension applies only to junior operators, and only when they did not already receive an additional suspension for failing or refusing a breath test.
Handbook p. 73 ↗Know the rule
JOL license or permit holders who commit certain categories of violations must complete the State Courts Against Road Rage (SCARR) program, and courts may also assign it. A junior operator only has to take SCARR one time.
Handbook p. 73 ↗Put it into practice
You're 17 with a permit and drive alone to work. That's driving without a licensed driver: a 60-day permit suspension for a first offense, a new permit exam, and a $100 reinstatement fee. And since a suspension invalidates your permit, your six permit months start over.