The effects of learner's permit requirements in Tennessee

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.