Our Mission
 The Indiana Graduated Driver's Licensing (GDL) Coalition is a partnership of public health agencies, public safety advocacy groups, insurance agencies, driver's education professionals, community-based organizations, and concerned parents who are dedicated to protecting and preserving the lives of young drivers on Indiana's roadways through public awareness campaigns, motorist education programs, and legislative support initiatives.
The primary mission of the Coalition is to work with the Indiana General Assembly to strengthen Indiana's existing GDL law.
Please familiarize yourself with this important issue, weigh the benefits against any concerns you may have and consider supporting legislation (SB16) to strengthen our current law. We welcome and encourage you to contact us and to communicate with members of the Indiana legislature.
How to Contact Your Legislator and Help in Other Ways
Contact your legislator via telephone, email, fax or in person.
- Remember that you are a voter, and legislators are elected to represent their constituents. It is very important that they hear from you so they know how people stand on this issue. (Sample letters of support and contacting your State Legislator.)
- Our main hurdle will be overcoming the “perception” that this is a controversial issue. We are finding most parents are very supportive of strengthening our law, but unless the legislators hear this directly from them, they will think otherwise.
Talk with parents, people in your community and groups (PTAs, Kiwanis and other clubs, etc.) about this effort and ask them to get involved.
- Provide them with fact sheets
- Ask them to sign a petition
- Ask them to contact their legislators in support of the issue
- Help us collect pictures of teens who have been killed or seriously injured in a teen driving related crash.
Testify at the hearings or help us find parents or teens who would be willing to testify.
What is the Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) system?
GDL is a three stage process of licensure that allows beginning drivers to acquire initial driving experience under low-risk conditions and then introduces them to more complex driving situations over a period of time.
How does the GDL system work?
It is a three step process that includes a learner's permit, intermediate (probationary) license and an unrestricted license. This system eases young drivers onto our roadways by controlling their exposure to progressively more difficult driving experiences. The three steps include:
- Learner's permit - supervision is required at all times while the new driver learns how to operate the vehicle and the rules of the road.
- Probationary license - an intermediate stage, which limits driving in high-risk situations except under adult supervision. This would include passenger, night time and cell phone restrictions.
- Unrestricted license - begins at age 18 after completing the first two stages.
- In the GDL there are mandatory safety belt use requirements in all vehicles and zero tolerance for alcohol violations
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Crash involvements per million
miles driven, by driver age
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Why do we need a GDL system in Indiana?
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young drivers age 15 to 20. The rate of motor vehicle fatalities is highest in the 16 year-old driver group, with a crash risk per mile driven nearly 3 times that of 18-19 year-olds and 10 times that of 30-59 year-olds.
Teen drivers affect everyone!
From 1995-2004 here in Indiana, 887 lives were lost in crashes involving young novice drivers. Of these deaths, 40% were the young drivers themselves. The remaining 60% were their passengers, other motorists, pedestrians or bicyclists.
Does GDL work?
Yes! All 50 States and the District of Columbia have some form of a GDL law, and research has shown that GDL has had positive effects on reducing young driver crashes.
A study, released this year by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, shows that the more comprehensive programs have the greatest results. The findings revealed that if a state has a GDL program with at least five of the seven common components (listed below), 16 year-old drivers were involved in 38 percent fewer fatal crashes and 40 percent fewer crashes that resulted in injuries. No state currently has all seven components. All states surrounding Indiana have 3 or more components in place, with Kentucky having the most comprehensive law of all. Indiana currently has only 2, components, making it very weak in comparison.
Most Critical Components:
- A minimum age of at least 16 years for gaining a learner's permit.
- A requirement to hold the learner's permit for at least 6 months before gaining a license that allows any unsupervised driving.
- A requirement for certifying at least 30 hours of supervised practice driving during the learner stage. Many experts recommend 50 hours.
- An intermediate stage of licensing with a minimum entry age of at least 16 years and 6 months.
- A nighttime driving restriction for intermediate license holders, beginning no later than 10 PM.
- A passenger restriction for intermediate license holders, allowing no more than one passenger (family members excepted).
- A minimum age of 17 years for full, unrestricted licensure.
The proposed legislation for 2009 includes 6 of these components. (see below)
Resources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS); AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
2009 Legislation (SB16) Includes:
Increase of Age for Learner's Permit (supervised driving only)
- From: 15 years
To: 15 and 6 months with Driver's Education (will remain at 16 years without Driver's Education)
Increase Learner's Permit Holding Time
- From: 2 months
To: 6 months
Require a 50-hour log of supervised practice driving with either a licensed instructor or licensed driver over the age of 25
Increase of Age for Probationary License (unsupervised driving)
- From: 16 and 1 month
To: 16 and 6 months with Driver's Education - From: 16 and 6 months
To: 17 years without Driver's Education
Increase Passenger Restrictions
- From: 90 days with no passengers, unless accompanied by a licensed adult
To: 180 days with no passengers, unless accompanied by a licensed adult; siblings and children of the driver are exempt
Change Nighttime Driving Restrictions
- From: Curfew hours
To: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for first 6 months of driving, with exemptions for work, school and church related activities. Then, restrictions during curfew hours until age 18 with the same exemptions.
Restrict use of cell phones and other handheld electronic devices while driving until age 18.
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