Graduated Driver Licencing Bill Outlined

November 24, 1998
(Government Services and Lands)

Government's new Graduated Driver Licencing Program is expected to start, as planned, on January 1, 1999. The Graduated Driver Licencing Bill received First Reading in the House of Assembly on November 17 and is expected to receive Second Reading today. The program is designed to help novice drivers acquire, on a gradual basis, the knowledge and skill needed to safely operate their passenger vehicles, light trucks or motorcycles. It will enable novice drivers to gain experience in conditions where the risk of having a collision is low.

Earlier today, at a news conference called to outline the program, Government Services and Lands Minister Ernie McLean was joined by Humber Valley MHA Rick Woodford, chair of the Select Committee on the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry as well as representatives of the RNC, the RCMP, the Newfoundland and Labrador Safety Council and the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Mr. McLean said: "There is widespread public support for a graduated driver licencing program - from the community at large, our police forces, our health and safety organizations, and the insurance industry."

The intent of this bill is consistent with a unanimous recommendation made by the Select Committee of the House of Assembly on Property and Casualty Insurance. In its report, the select committee said that novice drivers, regardless of age, were significantly over represented in motor vehicle accidents and that teenage drivers were involved in a disproportionately high number of accidents compared to other age groups. Graduated licencing, the report stated, is the solution.

Mr. McLean said: "I can assure the select committee that government is extremely pleased with the work that the committee has done and that government expects to act on other recommendations in the very near future."

The minister said: "This program enables novice drivers to learn gradually and well. For example, there is a section in the bill which requires Level I novice drivers to be accompanied by a licenced driver with at least four years of experience. There is a section which does not allow Level I novice drivers to drive between midnight and 5 a.m. Under the bill, there is also zero tolerance for alcohol for novice drivers.

"I look forward to the introduction of the new program. It is undoubtedly a move in the right direction, a move that will provide our novice drivers, as well as other drivers, with a greater degree of safety when travelling on our roads. I am confident that our Graduated Driver Licencing Program will save lives."

Media contact: Rick Callahan, Director of Communications, (709) 729-4860.

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NOTE

A Class 5 licence is a licence to operate a passenger vehicle, or a light truck.
A Class 6 licence is a licence to operate a motorcycle.

CLASS 5 - LEVEL I
(Passenger Car, Light Truck)

Successful completion of knowledge, sign and vision tests are required to start Level I.
Novice drivers are eligible to apply for Level I when they are at least 16 years of age.
Novice drivers must remain in Level I for 12 months. This can be reduced to eight months upon the successful completion of a recognized driver education program.
Novice drivers must be accompanied by a licenced driver with four years of driving experience.
Novice drivers must have zero per cent blood alcohol content when driving. The accompanying driver must comply with current .05 legislation. For novice drivers, there is zero tolerance for alcohol. If alcohol is detected, a novice driver's licence will be suspended at roadside for two months for the first offence, four months for the second offence, and six months for the third or subsequent offence.
Suspension will result upon a demerit point accumulation of six points (versus 12 for a fully graduated driver). Suspension will result in a return to the beginning of the current level.
Novice drivers cannot apply for a commercial class driver licence.
Level I novice drivers are not permitted to drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
A sign must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle to show that a novice driver is operating a vehicle. The sign "NOVICE DRIVER" must have black letters, five centimetres (two inches) high on a white background.
Successful completion of a road test in traffic, is required to graduate to Level II.

CLASS 5 - LEVEL II
(Passenger Car, Light Truck )

Novice drivers must remain in Level II for 12 months.
Level II novice drivers must be accompanied by a licenced driver with four years of driving experience if they drive between midnight and 5 a.m. If they require their vehicle for work purposes they must supply, upon demand, a letter from their employer certifying their employment and work hours.
Novice drivers must have zero per cent blood alcohol content when driving. The accompanying driver must comply with current .05 legislation. For novice drivers, there is zero tolerance for alcohol. If alcohol is detected, a novice driver's licence will be suspended at roadside for two months for the first offence, four months for the second offence, and six months for the third or subsequent offence.
Suspension will result upon a demerit point accumulation of six points (versus 12 for a fully graduated driver). Suspension will result in a return to the beginning of the current level.
For Level II novice drivers, passengers are permitted, but they are restricted to number of seat belts available in the vehicle.
Novice drivers cannot apply for a commercial class of licence.

CLASS 6 - LEVEL I
(Motorcycle)

Successful completion of skills, knowledge and vision tests are required to enter Level I.
Novice drivers are eligible to apply for Level I when they are at least 16 years of age.
Novice drivers must remain in Level I for a minimum of 12 months. This can be reduced to eight months upon the successful completion of a recognized motorcycle training program.
Novice drivers must be accompanied by a licenced motorcycle driver on another cycle, or in another vehicle.
Novice drivers must have zero per cent blood alcohol content when driving. The accompanying driver must comply with current .05 legislation. For novice drivers, there is zero tolerance for alcohol. If alcohol is detected, a novice driver's licence will be suspended at roadside for two months for the first offence, four months for the second offence, and six months for the third or subsequent offence.
Suspension will result upon a demerit point accumulation of six points (versus 12 for a fully graduated driver). Suspension will result in a return to the beginning of the current level.
Novice drivers are not permitted to have passengers on their motorcycles.
Novice drivers cannot apply for a commercial class of licence.
Novice drivers are not permitted to drive one half hour before sunset to one half hour after sunrise.
Novice drivers are not permitted to drive on a highway where the speed limit is above 80 km/h.
Successful completion of a road test, in traffic, is required to graduate to Level II.

Class 6 - LEVEL II
(Motorcycle)

The novice driver must remain in Level II for a minimum of 12 months.
Novice drivers must have zero per cent blood alcohol content when driving. The accompanying driver must comply with current .05 legislation. For novice drivers, there is zero tolerance for alcohol. If alcohol is detected, a novice driver's licence will be suspended at roadside for two months for the first offence, four months for the second offence, and six months for the third or subsequent offence.
Suspension will result upon a demerit point accumulation of six points (versus 12 for a fully graduated driver). Suspension will result in a return to the beginning of the current level.
The novice driver cannot apply for a commercial class of licence.
Novice drivers are not permitted to drive a motorcycle between midnight and 5 a.m.
Level II novice drivers are permitted to have passengers on their motorcycles.

Upgrading to Class 6
(Motorcycle endorsement)

Driver must hold a valid Class 1-5 licence.
Successful completion of skill, knowledge and vision tests required to enter Level I.
Driver must remain in Level I for three months, which can be reduced to one month with the completion of recognized motorcycle training program.
Driver must be accompanied by a licensed motorcycle driver on another cycle, or in another vehicle.
Driver must have zero per cent blood alcohol content when driving. The accompanying driver must comply with current .05 legislation. If alcohol is detected, a Class 06 driver's licence will be suspended at roadside for two months for a first offence, four months for a second offence and six months for a third or subsequent offence.
Driver is not permitted to have passengers on his/her motorcycle.
Driver is not permitted to drive one half hour before sunset to one half hour after sunrise.
Driver is not permitted to drive on a highway where the speed limit is above 80 km/h.
Successful completion of a road test, in traffic, is required to graduate to Level II.

1998 11 24 1:45 p.m.

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