Sixteen and 17 year-olds were surveyed at motor-vehicle offices in Tennesse
e after qualifying for their first driver's license. When the survey was co
nducted during October and November 1995, neither a learner's permit nor co
mpletion of a driver education course was required to obtain a license at a
ge 16 or 17. The survey was repeated during December and January 1996-97, a
pproximately one year after a requirement to hold a learner's permit for 90
days or complete a driver education course was implemented. Results from t
he 1991 drivers (ages 16 and 17) surveyed indicated Tennessee's licensing l
aw change was associated with approximately 100 additional miles and 8 addi
tional hours of practice driving prior to licensure for the typical 16 or 1
7 year-old, most often while supervised by a parent or guardian. Results ar
e discussed in relation to the prelicense practice driving requirements of
graduated Licensing systems. (C) 1999 National Safety Council and Elsevier
Science Ltd.