[BHS etree] ETREE: New Teen Driving Law

[bhs at idiom.com]

This message is a "public service announcement" for Berkeley High
School students under the age of 18 who have been issued provisional
driver licenses within the last 12 months.

Effective January 1, 2006, a new California law imposes new driving
restrictions for persons under 18 years of age who: are issued a
provisional driver license on or after January 1, 2006, OR already
hold a provisional license issued on or after January 1, 2005.

The new law changes the length of time for two restrictions on your
driver license:

(1) For a period of 12 months (was 6 months), you may not transport
passengers under age 20 unless you are accompanied by a parent,
guardian, instructor or licensed driver over the age of 25, and 
(2) you may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. (was midnight to 5
a.m.)

To determine if these restrictions apply to you, look at the date on
your driver license. The date printed just to the left of your
photograph is the date these restrictions begin. The new restrictions
apply for 12 months following this date. For example: If the date on
your license is May 7, 2005, you will have the above restrictions
through May 7, 2006, or until your 18th birthday, whichever comes
first.  Violation of either restriction can result in a fine and/or
community service.

According to the DMV, exceptions to the restrictions occur when
reasonable transportation is not available and it is necessary for
you to drive.  The law grants the following exceptions for minors to
drive between 11 pm and 5 am or to transport an immediate family
member unaccompanied and unsupervised.  The law requires that you
must carry a note explaining why you must drive and when the
necessity will end. 

(a) Medical Necessity
The note must be signed by your physician and contain a diagnosis and
probable date when recovery will end your need to drive. 

(b) School or School-Authorized Activities
The note must be signed by your school principal, dean, or his or her
designee and include a reason for the school or school-authorized
activity and the date when the activity will end. 

(c) Employment Necessity
The note must be signed by your employer and verify employment and
the date your employment will end. 

(d) Immediate Need of Family Member
The note must be signed by your parent or legal guardian and include
the reason and date the necessity will end. 

(e) Emancipated Minor
No documentation is needed for this exemption, however you must have
already declared yourself emancipated by completing a DMV form and by
providing Proof of Financial Responsibility (SR 1P) in lieu of your
guarantors' signatures when you applied for your instruction permit. 

Please refer to the DMV website at
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#FIRSTYEAR