26. I just got my driver license and I am under
18. How does the new law on minor drivers affect me?
Beginning July 1, 2005, regardless of when you got your license,
if you are under 18 you cannot drive a vehicle carrying a passenger
under 21 unless you have held your driver license for at least
6 months. And, you cannot drive a vehicle carrying more than one
passenger under 21 unless you have held your driver license for
at least one year.
Exceptions to carrying passengers:
If your parent or guardian is in the car with you, or
If there is an adult passenger in the vehicle, 21 years of age
or older, who has a valid license and has held a driver license
for at least one year or
If the passenger under 21 needs emergency medical assistance,
or
If the passengers under 21 are members of your immediate family
and they are all wearing seatbelts.
So, if you were issued your license on January 1, 2005, on July
1, 2005, you would be able to carry only one passenger under 21
but no more than one until January 1, 2006, unless you meet one
of the exceptions above.
There are also new restrictions on the time of day that you can
drive. If you are under 18 you cannot drive between the hours
of 12 midnight and 5 a.m. unless you have held your driver license
for at least one year
unless your parent or guardian is in the car with you, or
unless there is an adult passenger, 21 years of age or older,
in the vehicle who has a valid license and has held a driver license
for at least one year, or
unless you are driving to school or a school-authorized activity
and the school doesn't provide transportation. You will need a
signed statement from the school official showing the date of
the activity, or
unless you are driving because of employment; you must carry a
signed statement from your employer verifying your employment,
or
unless you are driving because of an emergency, or
unless you are an emancipated minor but your parent(s) or guardian(s)
have not canceled your license.
If you have other questions regarding Colorado driver licenses,
contact Driver License Administration at (303) 205-5613
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