Associations between Graduated Driver Licensing restrictions and delay in driving licensure among U.S. high school students

Abstract

IntroductionSome of the most vulnerable groups of teens choose to delay driving licensure (DDL). We assessed longitudinal associations between state-level Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) restrictions and DDL among U.S. high school students. MethodsData from seven waves of the NEXT Generation Health Study (starting 10th-grade (2009–2010)), were analyzed in 2020 using Poisson regression. The outcome was DDL (delay vs. no-delay). Independent variables were driving restrictions (at learner and intermediate phases of licensure), sex, race/ethnicity, family affluence, parent education, family structure, and urbanicity. ResultsOf 2525 eligible for licensure, 887 (38.9%), 1078 (30.4%), 560 (30.7%) reported DDL 1–2 years, >2 years, no DDL, respectively. Interactions between GDL restrictions during the learner permit period and covariates were found. In states requiring ≥30 h of supervised practice driving, Latinos (Adjusted relative risk ratio [aRRR] = 1.55, p < .001) and Blacks (aRRR = 1.38, p < .01) were more likely to DDL than Whites. In states where permit holding periods were <6 months, participants with low (aRRR = 1.61, p < .001) and moderate (aRRR = 1.45, p < .001) vs. high affluence were more likely to DDL. Participants in single-parent households vs. both-biological parent households were also more likely to DDL (aRRR = 1.37, p < .05). In states where permit holding periods were ≥6 months, participants with low (aRRR = 1.33, p < .05) vs. high affluence were more likely to DDL. In states that allowed ≥3 passengers or no passenger restriction, participants living in non-urban vs. urban (aRRR = 1.52, p < .05) areas were more likely to DDL, and in states that allowed only 1 or no passenger, participants living in non-urban vs. urban areas (aRRR = 0.67, p < .001) were less likely to DDL. ConclusionsOur findings heighten concerns about increased crash risk among older teens who age out of state GDL policies thereby circumventing driver safety related restrictions. Significant disparities in DDL exist among more vulnerable teens in states with stricter GDL driving restrictions.