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Vermont driving lesson · Graduated Driver's License Rules

Junior License passenger rules

A 3-minute lesson from the Vermont course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Graduated Driver's License Rules
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
16, 21, 22

Crash risk for new drivers goes up with every young passenger, so a Junior License limits who may ride with you during the first six months. The limits ease in two 3-month steps. The safety belt limit, though, never goes away.

Junior License passengers

Junior License passengers
Time on Junior LicenseWho may ride with you
First 3 monthsNo one, unless a qualifying adult rides in front
First 3 months, qualifying adult in frontAny number, but not more than safety belts
Second 3 monthsImmediate family only: siblings and parents
After 6 monthsAny number, but not more than safety belts
Handbook p. 22 ↗

A qualifying adult in the front seat is:

  • A licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian
  • A licensed or certified unimpaired driver education instructor
  • A licensed and unimpaired person 25 years of age or older
Handbook p. 21 ↗

Know the rule

You may never carry more passengers than there are safety belts, even after 6 months.

Handbook p. 22 ↗

Know the rule

A Junior License holder may not carry passengers for hire.

Handbook p. 21 ↗

Know the rule

A Junior License is provisional. The Commissioner may take it away if your actions show you're an unsafe driver, and it can be taken if your parent or guardian withdraws permission for you to drive.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

Know the rule

You may not use any portable electronic device while driving, including reading or manually composing or sending texts, instant messages and emails.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

Portable electronic devices include (but aren't limited to):

  • Cellular telephones
  • Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
  • Tablets/iPads
  • Laptop computers
Handbook p. 16 ↗

Put it into practice

Four months into your Junior License, you want to drive your cousin and your sister to school, with no adult along. Your sister may ride, but your cousin may not, because only siblings and parents count in months 4 to 6.

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.

During the first 3 months of holding a Junior Driver's License, who may a driver carry as a passenger?
  1. Any friend under the age of 18
  2. Immediate family only
  3. Any number of passengers
  4. No one, unless a qualifying licensed adult is in front

Answer: No one, unless a qualifying licensed adult is in front

For the first 3 months, the driver must drive alone unless a qualifying licensed adult rides in front.

Handbook p. 16 ↗
During months 4 through 6 of a Junior License, which passengers may a driver begin transporting?
  1. Only siblings and parents
  2. Any friend with parental permission
  3. Any passengers, of any relation
  4. Only other Junior License holders

Answer: Only siblings and parents

During the second three months, the individual may begin transporting immediate family: siblings and parents only.

Handbook p. 22 ↗
After holding a Junior License for 6 months, what passenger restriction remains?
  1. Still limited to family members only
  2. No more passengers than safety belts
  3. Still limited to one passenger
  4. No restriction of any kind remains

Answer: No more passengers than safety belts

After six months there's no count restriction, but you still can't carry more passengers than safety belts.

Handbook p. 16 ↗
A Junior License holder in their first month has one qualifying adult in the front seat. How many additional passengers are allowed?
  1. Exactly one, regardless of seatbelt count
  2. None; only the adult may ride along
  3. As many as there are safety belts for
  4. Two, maximum

Answer: As many as there are safety belts for

With a qualifying adult present, there's no headcount cap, but you can't exceed the number of safety belts.

Handbook p. 16 ↗
A Junior License holder is 4 months in and wants to drive their cousin, with no qualifying adult present. Is this allowed?
  1. Yes, any relative at all qualifies
  2. Yes, as long as it's daytime
  3. No, only a parent may ever ride along on a Junior License
  4. No, only siblings and parents are allowed in months 4-6

Answer: No, only siblings and parents are allowed in months 4-6

During months 4-6, only siblings and parents may be transported; cousins don't qualify.

Handbook p. 22 ↗
During the first 3 months of a Junior License, what happens if a qualifying adult is present in front?
  1. Only 1 extra passenger is now allowed
  2. Passengers are still not allowed
  3. No limit on the number of passengers
  4. Passengers are allowed only on weekends

Answer: No limit on the number of passengers

If a qualifying adult is in front, there's no cap on passengers (limited only by seat belts).

Handbook p. 21 ↗
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