Provisional driver's licenses: restrictions: exceptions.

The Brady-Jared Teen Driver Safety Act of 1997 allows for the issuance of a driver's license to an applicant who is at least 16 years of age but under 18 years of age pursuant to the provisional licensing program. A person licensed under this program is prohibited during the first 12 months after issuance of a license from driving during the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. or from transporting passengers who are under 20 years of age, unless he or she is accompanied by a licensed driver who is his or her parent or guardian, at least 25 years of age, or a certified driving instructor. The act provides that this licensee may drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. or transport an immediate family member without being accompanied as prescribed under certain circumstances, including the necessity of the licensee or the licensee's immediate family member when reasonable transportation facilities are inadequate and operation of a vehicle by a minor is necessary to transport the licensee or the licensee's immediate family member, as specified. This bill would revise this exception, to allow a person with a provisional driver's license to drive at any hour to transport an immediate family member without being accompanied due to the necessity of the licensee or the licensee's immediate family member when reasonable transportation facilities are inadequate and operation of a vehicle by a minor is necessary to transport the licensee or the licensee's immediate family member, and to also transport others who may rely on the licensee for essential education-related transportation, including, but not limited to, school carpools.