In 1997, the California Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law a bill that enacts a graduated drivers license program for teenage drivers beginning July 1, 1998. Some key points of the law are:

• Requires that a person under age 18 hold an instructional permit not less than 6 months prior to applying for a provisional drivers license.

• Requires a person under age 18 to complete 50 hours of supervised practice prior to issuance of a provisional drivers license, 10 hours of which must be nighttime driving.

• Requires that for the first 6 months after issuance of a provisional drivers license the licensee shall not transport passengers under 20 years of age unless accompanied and supervised by a licensed driver who is the licensee's parent or guardian or a person older than 25 years of age.

• Requires that for the first 12 months after issuance of a provisional drivers license the licensee may not drive between the hours of 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m., unless accompanied and supervised by a licensed driver who is the licensee's parent or guardian or is over the age of 25 years.

The Law provides exceptions to the above restrictions for emergency, medical, employment or family necessity and for emancipated minors.

Source: Safeco Insurance, Southern California Region, Bulletin, David Reyno, Government Relations - California 12/97