Driving Curfew for 16-Year-Olds in Michigan

What You Need to Know About Teen Driving Laws

For those who are under eighteen, obtaining a normal Michigan driver’s license requires several processes. To apply for a license, one must use the Graduated Driver Licensing system. In addition, the applicant must provide documentation of citizenship, identity, and completion of specified driving education programs.

There are three licensing tiers under the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system:

Level 1 – Teen drivers at least 14 years, 9 months old are granted a Level 1 License, which is a supervised learner’s license. The driver must also pass a written test and a vision test.
Level 2 – At least 16-year-old teen drivers are eligible for an intermediate license called a Level 2 license, which places restrictions on passengers and unsupervised nighttime driving.
Level 3 – After completing all prior driving and education requirements, teens at least 17 years old are granted a Level 3 License, which is a full-privilege driver’s license.

The teen must complete several driver education programs with a driver education instructor to be a licensed driver. One of these programs is the defensive driving course.

If you or a loved one suffered an accident due to a teen driver’s fault, we are here to help. The Clark Law Office is your trusted personal injury attorney in Lansing and Okemos, Michigan.

What Is the Graduated Driver Licensing Law?

Many states have enacted the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Law. By gradually exposing new drivers to the complexities of driving and progressively expanding their driving privileges as they gain experience, GDL legislation aims to mitigate the risks associated with novice drivers.

Learner’s Permit Stage: To practice driving under the supervision of an adult with a license, new drivers must first get a learner’s permit.
Intermediate Stage: Drivers obtain an intermediate license after accumulating some learner’s permit driving experience. Learner’s permit holders might be subject to fewer restrictions at this point, including being able to drive unattended only during specific hours or with a small group of passengers.
Full License Stage: Upon passing the intermediate level, a person can become a fully licensed driver. After that, they are free to drive without limitations, provided they abide by all traffic laws.

Furthermore, GDL laws frequently specify the prerequisites for driver education classes, like defensive driving courses, the minimum permit age for each license stage, and the consequences of breaking the program’s rules.

Laws vary between states, with each jurisdiction having its own set of rules and regulations. All GDL programs, however, are based on the same fundamental idea of giving new drivers a controlled and progressive licensing process.

Why Are Restrictions Placed on Teen Drivers?

According to the NHTSA, 2,608 people were killed in vehicular crashes in 2021, all involving a teenage driver. Teen drivers tend to be involved in fatal collisions, primarily due to their inexperience, ineptitude, and lack of maturity. When their pals are in the car, they tend to speed, make mistakes, and become easily distracted.

A three-stage GDL system restricting high-risk driving circumstances for novice and young drivers helps ensure kids stay safe when driving. This strategy can cut a teen’s chance of a collision by up to 50%.

Restrictions enable teenage drivers to progressively and methodically acquire their driving skills through a graduated license program.

The restrictions to the three stages of Michigan’s GDL program are the following:

Level 1

Teen drivers can only drive if accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or a licensed adult at least 21 years old.

Level 2

Teen drivers can drive without supervision but are not allowed to drive from 10 at night to 5 in the morning.
Teen drivers cannot have more than one passenger below 21 years old unless the minor passengers are immediate family members.

Level 3

No restrictions on the number of passengers and driving hours.

Exceptions to the 16-Year-Old Driving Curfew in Michigan

Unless there are special circumstances, the driving curfew in Michigan for 16-year-old drivers with a Level 2 Intermediate License normally prohibits them from operating a vehicle between 10 at night and 5 in the morning. Among these special circumstances are:

The 16-year-old is driving with a parent or legal guardian.
The teen is driving for work, which will need documentation from the employer that justifies the need to drive during curfew hours.
Curfew rules may not apply to anyone driving to or from school events or activities. This includes showing up to class, extracurricular activities, and other events organized by the school.
There is a medical emergency.
Going to religious events or activities.

Are There Similar Laws in Other States?

Yes, many other states in the U.S. have passed laws resembling Michigan’s graduated driver licensing (GDL) program, which includes features like driving curfews, passenger restrictions, and progressive licensing. State-by-state variations may occur in specifics, but these laws’ general goals are always the same: to increase road safety by lowering the dangers associated with inexperienced drivers and progressively acquainting new drivers with the intricacies of driving.

Common Causes of Accidents Involving Young Drivers

Fatal car crashes are a top cause of death for teenagers in the US. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that every day, six youths lose their lives as a result of injuries suffered in vehicular accidents. The effects of a teenage driver causing a significant auto accident can be catastrophic for all the families concerned, especially if the injuries are deadly.

Teens between 16 and 19 have the highest risk of motor vehicle crashes among the different age groups. The fatal crash rate per mile traveled for teenage drivers in this age range is about 3x higher than that of drivers aged 20 and older.

The common factors that put a teen driver at risk of car accidents include the following:

Night Driving

According to the CDC, in 2020, 44% of motor vehicle crash deaths among teens happened between 9 PM and 6 AM. 50% happened on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.

Distracted Driving

Distraction can negatively affect drivers of all ages but can be very dangerous for inexperienced ones.

In a 2019 study, among U.S. high school students who drove, 39% used their cell phones or mobile devices to send text or e-mail while driving at least once.

Drunk Driving

Driving drunk is a recipe for danger, no matter the age. Teen drivers are more likely to be involved in crashes than older drivers at the same blood alcohol concentration (BAC), even when their BAC is below the legal limit for adults. Teen drivers are likely to get involved in crashes when they consume any amount of alcohol before driving.

Even though underage drinking is illegal, 2020 data revealed that 29% of drivers aged 15 to 20 years old who were killed in vehicular crashes were drinking before they hit the road.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving behaviors include overspeeding, making illegal turns, tailgating, sudden lane changes, and street racing.

Not Wearing Seat Belts

In 2020, teen drivers and passengers between 16 and 19 years old who died in car accidents did not wear seat belts in at least half of the cases. Drivers should also ensure that their passengers wear seat belts at all times.

Having Teen Passengers

One of the biggest distractions for young drivers is having their friends in the front passenger seat. More passengers can mean more risk of distraction to the young driver behind the wheel.

What Happens When a 16-Year-Old Driver Hits You?

What the driver must do will depend on the specific circumstances of the motor vehicle crash. Regardless of the extent of the damage, ensure the safety of everyone involved and call the authorities.

Get the information of the 16-year-old driver, including name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, and insurance details.

The minor driver may face legal consequences, such as traffic violations citation and criminal charges if the car accident resulted in injuries or death.

The Clark Law Office Can Help Car Accident Victims in Michigan

If you have been a victim of a car accident that involved teen driving, do not hesitate to contact The Clark Law Office. Our lawyers are ready to guide you and help you get the damages you deserve.

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Matthew Clark

Content checked by Matthew Clark, personal injury attorney with The Clark Law Office. Matthew is the owner of The Clark Law Office and represents injury victims all over the State of Michigan. He has collected multiple million dollar verdicts and settlements for victims of auto accidents, dog bites, slip and fall, and medical malpractice. The main office is in Okemos, MI but you can also find us in Lansing and Eaton Rapids.