Driving Soon? New Laws Change Everything.

States Grapple with Stricter Teen Driving Laws Amidst Safety Concerns

Motor vehicle accidents remain a leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States, and young drivers face a disproportionately higher risk of crashes compared to their older counterparts. This alarming statistic has prompted a wave of new state laws aimed at enforcing stricter requirements for new drivers. However, a consensus on the optimal amount of practice needed to ensure safe driving remains elusive.

The Push for Uniformity

While most states have implemented some form of graduated driver’s licensing laws, the range of supervised driving hours required varies significantly, from a low of 20 to a high of 70. Some traffic safety advocates argue that the U.S. would benefit from more uniform laws on the topic.

Cheryl Giles, owner of a driving school in Florida, which conducts approximately 1,000 student driving tests annually, believes a national law for teen drivers is necessary to establish consistency across the country.

Recent Legislative Changes

Several states have recently tightened their requirements for new drivers.

• Florida: As of July 1, 2025, Florida now requires teens aged 15 and older to complete a six-hour driver’s education course before receiving a learner’s permit, an increase from the previous four-hour requirement. Additionally, Florida teens must complete 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.
• New Jersey: Earlier in 2025, New Jersey enacted a 50-hour supervised driving law for drivers under 21, joining other states with similar measures.
• Washington: A law passed in May of 2025 will expand mandatory driver’s education to drivers up to age 21 by 2030. Eventually, Washington’s law will mandate new license applicants up to age 25.

Varying State Requirements

The number of supervised driving hours required for new drivers varies considerably across states. Some states require more than the commonly cited 50-hour supervised driver mandate. Pennsylvania mandates 65 hours of driver supervision, while Maryland and North Carolina each require 60 hours. Maine leads the way with 70 hours.

In contrast, Iowa has a 25-hour supervised driving mandate, and Kansas requires only 20 hours. Alarmingly, Arkansas and Mississippi have no supervised driving requirements.

Beyond Supervised Hours

Supervised driving hours are just one aspect of licensing requirements. Driver’s education, age requirements, and other details about who qualifies for a learner’s permit also play a crucial role.

The Impact of Tragic Loss

For some, the push for safer teen driving laws is deeply personal. Tammy Gweedo McGee, a safe teenage driving advocate, lost her teenage son, Connor, in a 2019 car crash. Connor was a passenger in a car with two other teens who also died when the vehicle, traveling at a high speed, struck a tree. The driver was unlicensed.

McGee now oversees a nonprofit foundation that educates new teenage drivers and their parents on the dangers of destructive driving decisions. She has also helped pass state legislation, including an updated Virginia law that allows for criminal charges against individuals who knowingly allow someone to drive without a license or learner’s permit.

The Debate Over a Federal Solution

The patchwork of state laws governing teen driving raises the question of whether a federal solution is needed. However, opinions on this matter are divided.

Some, like McGee, advocate for more uniformity in teenage driving laws nationally, arguing that the roads can be dangerous regardless of location.

Others, believe that teen driving laws should remain under state authority. They view this as a state issue, not a federal one.

Some experts believe that federal legislation is unlikely in the near future, citing the need for an act of Congress.

Washington’s Law as a Potential Model

Despite the lack of consensus on a federal solution, some experts believe that Washington state’s new law to improve driver safety could serve as a model for other states. The law expands mandatory driver’s education to drivers up to age 21 by 2030, and eventually to age 25.

The goal is to address the disproportionate involvement of young drivers in crashes resulting in fatalities and serious injuries.

The comprehensive nature of Washington’s law has been hailed as potentially the most significant state bill in over a decade, setting a new standard for driver education.

New Jersey’s Focus on Practice

In February 2025, New Jersey implemented a law mandating that drivers under the age of 21 complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night, before obtaining a probationary license. A parent, guardian, or supervising driver must certify these hours, which need to be completed over six months.

The aim is to create safer, more capable drivers, leading to safer roads for everyone.

The Importance of Education and Awareness

The ongoing efforts to strengthen teen driving laws underscore the importance of education and awareness. Experts emphasize the need to teach drivers properly from the earliest stages possible, addressing issues such as distracted driving and other dangerous behaviors. Enhanced education for new drivers helps teens develop critical skills that can reduce crash risks during their early years behind the wheel. These laws also encourage important conversations between parents and teens about safe driving habits, including safety belt use, avoiding distractions, and the dangers of speeding or impaired driving.

A Cautious Outlook

While crash and fatality rates for drivers under 21 have improved significantly between 2002 and 2021, there has been a slight uptick in teen driver-related deaths across the country in 2022 and 2023. While not yet a crisis, this trend warrants careful attention and continued efforts to improve teen driver safety.