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Developments in Graduated Driver Licensing: �Towards a Performance-Based Licensing System

Johnathon Ehsani

Associate Professor

Health Policy and Management

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Young Driver Deaths (15-20 years of age) 2017-2021

NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts: Young Drivers DOT HS 813 492

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Twisk, Stacy, 2007

Why are Young Drivers at Elevated Risk? Inexperience and Age

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Graduated Driver Licensing

Learner License Components

Learner license holding period
Supervised driving hours
Raising the minimum age for the learner license

Intermediate License Components

Passenger restriction
Nighttime driving restriction
Raising the minimum age for the intermediate license

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This is what inspired Graduated Driver Licensing (or GDL).

It is a perfect example of how archival crash data let to a widely adopted policy that has led to a dramatic reduction in teen drivers’ deaths and injuries.

GDL controls the driving environment for novice drivers corresponding to the development of driving skills.

The first level (learner license) allows teens with the least driving experience to gain practice under supervision for a certain number of months.

Some states also require a minimum number of supervised driving hours to be completed (e.g., 30 hours) as part of the requirements of the learner license period.

During the independent stage of GDL, drivers drive on their own – but with certain restrictions from the highest risk environments such as between midnight and 5am and with multiple peer passengers.

Each of these elements I’ve described – required hours of driving, months of the learner permit, night and passenger restrictions, are considered the building blocks of GDL

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Graduated Driver Licensing Systems Are Widely Adopted

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IIHS 2023

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Graduated Driver Licensing Systems Are Widely Adopted

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IIHS 2023

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Graduated Driver Licensing Policy Research

Chen, Baker and Li, Pediatrics, 2006

Percent change and 95% CIs in fatal crash rate in relation to driver age and number of GDL program components, compared with state quarters with none of the components 1994–2004.

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Ehsani et al., AAP, 2013

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Ehsani et al., AAP, 2013

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Limitations of GDL

Time based rather than experience based
Non-verifiable, relying on an honor system and parent/guardian certification
Applied to 16-17-year-olds in the majority of States
Licensing prior to age 18 more likely for teens from higher income households
May incentivize licensure delay until age 18 when GDL restrictions no longer apply

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Maximizing Mobility

Optimizing Safety

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Learner Permit Stage (Predriving exam)

6 months monitoring of amount, consistency and variety of practice
6 months driver monitoring of driving style during learner driving
Those who meet pre-established criteria eligible to advance to examination
Those who do not meet the criteria remain on the learner permit until they meet the requirements for elgibility

New driving exam

New driving maneuvers reflective of real world driving

Intermediate License (Postdriving exam)

6 months monitoring of driving style during independent driving
Those who meet pre-established criteria eligible to advance to unrestricted driver license stage of GDL
Those who do not meet the criteria remain on the intermediate license until they meet the requirements for elgibility

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Draft legislation in WA State for the 2023 Regular Legislative Session

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Principles for Performance Based Licensing

Add value for individuals going through the licensing process to incentive participation
Address access and equity issues for anyone wishing to participate
Address privacy concerns

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Legislative and Policy Considerations for Performance Based Licensing

Must be clear and comprehensive legislation to outline the framework and address:

Monitoring Technology (definitions, data and privacy regulation)
Performance Metrics
How it integrates with existing GDL systems
Enforcement and appeal

Public Support

Transparency and accountability
Education

Technology Considerations (telematics, mobile apps, data analytics)

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Nationally Representative Survey of US adults (N= 2,184)

NORC Amerispeak Panel Survey Conducted in May-June 2023

Use of Driver Monitoring Devices	N	Prevalence
I am currently using a driver monitoring device	242	10.24 % (8.50, 11.9)
I was using a driver monitoring device	232	9.40% (7.70, 11.0)
I have never used a driver monitoring device	1710	80.36% (0.78, 0.83)

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Discussion and Conclusions

Performance based licensing implementation will be challenging
Equity, privacy, and participation concerns need to be addressed
There is public support for policy change with respect to teen driver licensing and testing
A national working group of stakeholders is needed to set the requirements for a demonstration pilot

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Thank you

Please email me with your suggestions and comments:
Johnathon.Ehsani@jhu.edu

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