As schools open, time to check rules for new crop of teen drivers
QI have a friend who insists — INSISTS — that her newly licensed 16-year- old daughter can drive my 14-year- old around as long as she has a signed note from me saying that this is OK.
But everything I’ve read on the DMV website says that the only minors with a driver with a provisional license can transport are “immediate family members.” Thus, this teen driver cannot transport my child, note or no note.
This makes sense, as I’m sure there are many parents who would be happy to have the newly licensed local teen drive all their kids to school despite the obvious risks.
Is my understanding correct? It seems that my friend has twisted the idea of this note of permission for driving siblings to fit any minors. I’d like to settle this once and for all, as my friend seems to be taking it personally that I don’t want my child to be driven by hers. — Carrie Toster, Novato
AYou are right; your friend is wrong.
Minors under 18 are issued a provisional license. During the first 12 months after getting a license, they cannot drive other teens unless accompanied by a parent or guardian, a licensed driver age 25 or older, or a licensed or certified driving instructor. They may drive siblings to school, for example, but a note is recommended. But they cannot drive friends.
QI know you get a lot of questions from parents with teens learning to drive and I have one more.
I usually assume the driving instructor knows more than I do since it’s their job to stay on top of all the rules. But this one I wanted to check on and didn’t find any solid yes or no in the DMV handbook.
My daughter’s instructor, as well as her friend’s instructor, both said it is legal to drive 5 mph over or 5 mph under the speed limit on any expressway. My son wasn’t told this during his lessons a few years ago, so maybe it’s new?
I realize most police
officers will look for those driving erratically and/or going more than 5 mph over or under the limit, but can you get a ticket simply for going 50 in a 45, for example on Montague Expressway? — Kim L., Milpitas
AThere is no rule like this. A new teen driver most likely won’t be ticketed for going 50 or 40 mph in a 45 zone, but they could be. For more on teen driving instructions, go to dmv. gov.
QI often see these new temporary paper plates flapping in the wind.
Is anything going to be done to make them more secure?
AScrews or more adhesive tape may be added.