Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Changes made for licenses; especially to student drivers

Over the past few years rumors have spread among junior high students of the community, teens moaning about it, teachers rejoicing over it, and parents dreading it, one question asked by all, "Will kids be able to drive alone before the age of 18?"

The answer is yes.

The new Arkansas Graduated License Program is not as strict as it seems at first. The program, which officially began July 1, 2002, will give students the chance to learn correct driving procedures and teach teens the responsibilities of being behind the wheel.

Nevada County Sheriff Steve Otwell said, "It is a good idea, as long as people will comply with it; it gives those young drivers as much supervised training as possible."

The program begins when a child is between the ages of 14-16. Students are encouraged to take a written and road exam, and after completion, the student will be issued a Learners License.

The license will allow teens to drive with an adult over the age of 21 and requires that every person in the vehicle wear a safety belt. At the age of 16 the license will expire and the child can then request an Intermediate License.

The Intermediate License is granted only if the young driver has had no accidents or traffic violations in the past six months. If the driver has such violations they will be issued another Learners License that will expire when the student has been accident free for six months.

Passengers in an Intermediate students vehicle also must have seat belts attached at all times.

According to Misty Jezierski, Document Examiner for the Arkansas State Department of Motor Vehicles, students are now allowed to drive without an adult as long as no violations have occurred.

If a student has successfully completed the learners license, then they should be able to drive alone, however, if a student applies for their license after the age of 16 there is a minimum of six months with an experienced driver restriction on the license. After the six months is completed the licensee may drive alone.

Jezierski said, "I think it is a good idea because the other restrictions help promote safe driving."

When the driver turns 18 the intermediate license will expire. Students are then prompted to apply for the Regular License. This license is granted only if the applicants record is clear of any serious accidents or traffic violations in the most recent 12 months.

If the applicant's record is not clean they will retain the Intermediate license until the record is free for 12 months. This license will have no adult restrictions or require seat belts on all passengers in the vehicle, except in the front seat, though all passengers are required to be belted in under state law.

The age restrictions in this program, however, do not apply to a person over the age of 16 if, they are married, possess a high school diploma or GED, are enlisted in the United States Military, or received a picture ID license before July 1, 2002.

A list of traffic violations and a copy of the entire Arkansas Graduated Licensing Act can be found at the Department of Motor Vehicle Website at http://www.state.ar.us/dfa/motorvehicle/driverservices.html.