Oklahoma
Deaths in Crashes Involving Teen Drivers in Oklahoma
In 2008, 155 people were killed in crashes involving teen drivers in Oklahoma. Over the past five years, Oklahoma crashes involving teen drivers claimed 766 lives. Nationally, since 1999, more than 84,400 people have been killed in crashes involving teen drivers.
Graduated Driver Licensing Laws in Oklahoma
The current GDL law in Oklahoma includes the following components:
- A three-stage licensing system beginning at age 15 years and 6 months for learner’s permit, age 16 for the intermediate stage, and age 17 for full licensure (age 16 years and 6 months for teens who complete driver education)
- A mandatory 6 month holding period for the learner’s permit stage
- A minimum of 50 hours of supervised practice driving during the learner’s permit stage, at least 10 of which must be at night
- A prohibition on unsupervised nighttime driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. during the intermediate stage
- A passenger restriction prohibiting more than one passenger
These changes are needed to improve Oklahoma’s GDL law and meet the requirements of the STANDUP Act
- Require age 16 for entry into the learner’s permit stage
- Extend restrictions on teen drivers through age 17
- Add a prohibition on non-emergency use of cell phones and other communications devices, including texting while driving, during the learner’s permit and intermediate stages
