TEENAGE DRIVER LICENSURE RATES IN 4 STATES

High school students in four states were surveyed every six months fro m their freshmen through senior years. Delaware students could obtain learner's permits beginning at age 15 years and 10 months and licenses at age 16. Connecticut and New York students could begin learning dri ving and become licensed at age 16, but New Jersey students could not get their licenses until age 17. Comparisons among states indicated th e age at which teenagers first drive on public roads, obtain learner's permits, and obtain licenses is younger for Delaware students compare d with students living in the other states. Comparisons within states indicated students with higher grade point averages and living with bo th parents, of whom at least one was college educated, were more likel y to become licensed at younger ages. The importance of these intrasta te personal and family variables was greatest in Connecticut, which al lowed a home study option for teaching young people to drive. Implicat ions of these findings for graduated licensing systems, currently bein g considered by several states, are discussed. (C) 1998 National Safet y Council and Elsevier Science Ltd.