California Laws on Teenage Driving Restrictions

Each state typically has specific laws regarding teen driving, and California is no different. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traffic accidents are a leading cause of teen deaths. It’s essential to speak to your teen about the responsibilities of getting behind the wheel and taking other people's lives into their hands. It’s also a good idea to familiarize yourself and your teen with California’s laws for teenage driving and restrictions on driving with other minors in the vehicle. Let’s take a closer look into what those restrictions are and what that means for your teen driver.

Restrictions on Driving with Other Passengers

California law states that drivers under 18 must comply with certain laws in order to keep their license. Some of these restrictions revolve around driving with other passengers in the car. Teen drivers are inexperienced on the roads and are more likely to become distracted while driving—particularly with other people in the car.

In California, if you’re driving under the age of 18, you can only have passengers under age 20 in the car if you also have a parent, guardian, or licensed driver above 25 in the car. This restriction will be in effect for the first twelve months of driving with a provisional license.

If a teenager is caught driving with other teens in the car and with no adult supervision, they could lose their license for a period of time. However, the consequences will likely be worse if they cause an accident while other teenagers are in the vehicle with them and no parent or guardian is in the car.

Curfews When Driving

There are also restrictions put in place around the timeframe in which an underage driver can be on the road. California law says that anyone driving with a provisional license must be accompanied by an adult between the hours of 11 pm and 5 am. Nighttime driving can be dangerous no matter the driver’s age, so it’s especially important for teen drivers who have less experience behind the wheel to abide by their state’s laws.

Employment Restrictions for Driving

In California, teen drivers are also not legally allowed to be employed as a driver of motor vehicles. This means occupations like food delivery, package delivery, or transportation are off the table until the driver is of-age and has their full license.

A Final Note

There are occasional exceptions to these laws such as true emergency situations in which no other driver is available. In non-emergency situations like school or work events, as long as certain criteria is met, the driver must always have a signed note from a supervisor.

If you or someone you know was affected in an accident involving a teen driver, it’s imperative to reach out for help. Sacramento auto accident attorneys can give you the support you need and stand with you to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.