1. Keeping Your Drivers License

2. KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
Lesson goal
To improve students’ understanding of what is required for them to keep their driving privileges.

3. Students will learn: That driving is a privilege that can be revoked
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
Students will learn:
That driving is a privilege that can be revoked
Parent authority related to driving
Requirements for retaining the privilege of driving
Restrictions for drivers under 18 and consequences of driving violations
Virginia’s “zero tolerance” laws

4. How do I keep my drivers license?
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
How do I keep my drivers license?
Driving is not a right – it is a privilege granted by parents
Parents have the authority to cancel your driving privilege.
If you are under the age of 18, your parents can choose to cancel your learner's permit or driver's license by simply submitting form DL 18, “Cancellation of Minor's Driving Privilege.” Once it is cancelled, neither you nor your parents will be able to reapply for at least six months.

5. How do I keep my drivers license?
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
How do I keep my drivers license?
The “basics” of keeping your license:
Obey motor vehicle laws: When there are convictions for traffic offenses, the courts communicate with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and DMV then assigns points and posts the conviction(s) to your driver record.
Stay out of trouble: When a juvenile is found to be delinquent, a judge may impose a wide range of dispositions, including suspending the driver’s license or imposing a curfew on the juvenile as to the hours during which he or she may operate a motor vehicle. (Code of Virginia § )
Attend school regularly.

6. Teen driving restrictions
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
Teen driving restrictions
It is important to be very clear about Virginia’s driving restrictions for anyone under 18 years of age.
The restrictions are not meant to penalize teen drivers, but to help them stay safe while they gain experience. Studies have found that these restrictions reduce the number of car crashes among young drivers.

7. KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
Curfew restrictions
Virginia’s curfew laws prohibit a driver under age 18 who holds a learner’s permit or driver’s license from driving between midnight and 4:00 a.m. UNLESS
There is an emergency.
He/she is traveling to or from work or a school- sponsored event.
He/she is accompanied by a parent or other adult acting in place of a parent.
He/she is responding to an emergency call as a volunteer firefighter or rescue squad personnel.

8. Passenger restrictions
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
Passenger restrictions
If you are under age 18, you may carry only one passenger under the age of 21 during the first year that you hold your driver’s license unless a parent who is a licensed driver is in the seat beside you.
After you have held your license for one year, until age 18, you may carry up to three passengers under age 21 when you are driving to or from a school-sponsored activity, when a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old is in the seat beside you, or in cases of emergency. Passenger restrictions do not apply to family members. (Code of Virginia § (B))

9. Passenger restrictions, cont.
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
Passenger restrictions, cont.
Learner’s permit holders may not carry more than one passenger under age 18. Passenger restrictions do not apply to family members.
Any drivers of any passengers under 18 years old are required to ensure that the passengers wear their seatbelts or are otherwise properly secured as required by law (i.e. child safety seats).

10. Can I use a cell phone while driving?
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
Can I use a cell phone while driving?
No.
Virginia’s cellular telephone law restricts a driver under age 18 from using any cellular telephone or other wireless communications device, regardless of whether such device is or is not hand-held. (Code of Virginia § )
Text messaging while driving is also prohibited by Code of Virginia §
You can use a cell phone or any other telecommunications device only for a driver emergency when the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped.

11. How do points affect me as a driver?
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
How do points affect me as a driver?
Demerit Points are recorded against your driving record whenever you are convicted of not obeying the law in a moving vehicle.
For example, a first violation of the passenger and curfew restrictions will result in three demerit points.
A second or third violation may result in the court suspending your driving privileges for up to six months.

12. What are the consequences of points?
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
What are the consequences of points?
Drivers under age 18 receiving a demerit point conviction (including safety belt or child restraint violations) will be required to attend a driver improvement clinic.
After a second conviction, the DMV will suspend your driving privilege for 90 days.
After the third demerit point conviction, the DMV will revoke your permit or license for one year or until you reach age 18, whichever is longer.

13. What does zero tolerance mean for me?
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
What does zero tolerance mean for me?
Virginia has enacted some of the toughest laws in the United States for minors caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
Under Code of Virginia, § , it is illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to operate a motor vehicle after illegally consuming alcohol.
A violation of this law is a Class 1 Misdemeanor. Punishment includes:
Loss of your driver's license for one year from the date of conviction.
A mandatory minimum fine of $500 or having to perform a minimum of 50 hours of community service.

14. What does implied consent mean?
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
What does implied consent mean?
Under Code of Virginia § , if you operate a motor vehicle, you automatically consent to have samples of your blood and/or breath taken for a chemical test to determine the level of alcohol (or drugs) in your blood.
This applies if you have been arrested for a violation of driving while intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Code of Virginia § prescribes the penalties for refusing to take the test. For a first offense, you may lose your privilege to drive for a period of one year. Additional offenses result in substantially stronger penalties.

15. What to do when stopped by a law enforcement officer
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
What to do when stopped by a law enforcement officer
First, remember to show respect for law enforcement officials.
If signaled to pull over, stop at the first safe place you come to. If you must travel to get to a safe place, use your turn signal to show the officer your intentions.
Carefully follow the officer’s instructions.

16. What to do when stopped by a law enforcement officer, cont.
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
What to do when stopped by a law enforcement officer, cont.
Do not get out of the car unless told to do so.
Be prepared to show your driver's license and auto registration.
If you have violated a traffic law, you will be told. With most violations, drivers receive a summons to appear in traffic court. In cases involving serious violations, the officer may arrest the driver.

17. KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
Good driving tips
Buckle up! Make sure you always wear your seat belt and everyone else in the vehicle is buckled up.
Obey the speed limits and don’t drive aggressively.
Do not talk on the phone while driving.
Don’t text and drive.
Get enough sleep!
Wear a helmet if you drive a motorcycle. Motorcycle helmets are required to be used in Virginia.
Always drive sober. Alcohol use by anyone under the age of 21 is prohibited in Virginia. Only ride with sober drivers.

18. Review and Recap: You have learned:
KEEPING YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE
Review and Recap:
You have learned:
That driving is a privilege that can be revoked
Parents’ authority in granting the privilege of driving
Requirements for retaining the privilege of driving
Restrictions for drivers under 18 and the consequences of driving violations
Virginia’s “zero tolerance” laws
Tips for safe driving