The learner's permit

Abstract

Problem: This paper considers the role and value of an extended learner's period in a graduated licensing system. Method: Review and synthesis of the literature. Results: The learner's permit allows beginners to practice under supervision before attempting the road test for a driver's license. A learner's permit stage was an integral part of the “provisional” (graduated) licensing model initially formulated by NHTSA in the mid-1970s. Almost all Canadian provinces and U.S. states now have graduated licensing (GDL) programs that typically include an extended period of supervised driving. Most parents and teens favor the learner stage, and consistent with the intent of GDL, most learners are practicing and gaining driving experience under low-risk conditions. Research shows that very few learners crash while under supervision and that an extended learner stage has safety benefits. Impact on Research, Practice and Policy: Further research is needed on the safety benefits of an extended learner stage and on its optimal features.