Passenger Limitations

We know that when a teen gets their license, they are taking on another freedom. They might be the first of their friends to get their license which means they will want to pick up their friends. In Pennsylvania, there is a law that limits the number of passengers a teen driver is aloud to have in their car.

In the chart below, you can see how the number of passengers increases the risk a teen driver will have a crash.

Learner’s Permit

• Passenger limitation: Young drivers can have only one non-family member under 18 with them in the vehicle. After six months on the junior license, the restriction rises to no more than three passengers under 18. Immediate family members are excluded from the restriction. The restriction also does not apply if a parent or legal guardian are in the vehicle with the young driver. Young drivers who are responsible for a reportable crash or have a traffic violation are bound by the rule restricting young non-family member passengers until they turn 18. In any case, there can be no more passengers in their car than available seat belts.

Junior License

• Passenger limitation: Young drivers can have only one non-family member under 18 with them in the vehicle. After six months on the junior license, the restriction rises to no more than three passengers under 18. Immediate family members are excluded from the restriction. The restriction also does not apply if a parent or legal guardian are in the vehicle with the young driver. Young drivers who are responsible for a reportable crash or have a traffic violation are bound by the rule restricting young non-family member passengers until they turn 18. In any case, there can be no more passengers in their car than available seat belts.

Unrestricted License

• Passenger limitation: The number of passengers must not exceed the number of seat belts in the vehicle.

This law was signed into law to help reduce crash rates among teen drivers. Parents need to stress the importance of limiting passengers. This will keep teens safer out on the road.