Chapter 1: TADRA

TADRA is an acronym for Georgia’s Teenage and Adult Driver Responsibility Act, which is a comprehensive set of laws enacted in 1997 with the intent of reducing fatal motor vehicle crashes involving teenage drivers.

TADRA significantly changed the way teens in Georgia earn and maintain driving privileges, most notably through the introduction of a three-step Graduated Driver’s Licensing process for newly licensed drivers 15 to 18 years of age. TADRA also contains important provisions specifically related to driving under the influence (DUI) prevention and enforcement and school enrollment requirements.

In a 2006 study conducted by Emory University, researchers found that in the 5½ years following the enactment of TADRA, the rate of fatal crashes in Georgia involving teenage drivers 16 years of age was 36.8% less than in the 5½ years immediately prior to its enactment. Moreover, researchers found that speed-related fatal crashes involving teenage drivers 16 years of age declined by nearly 50%, and alcohol-related crashes involving teenage drivers 16 years of age declined by 62%.

A study published in 2016 by the Traffic Injury Prevention journal reports that the decline in fatal crash rates has been maintained and even increased through 15.5 years after passage of the law. The greatest declines were among 16 and 17-year-olds; most of the gains were among male drivers.

Reference: Taylor & Francis Online

8 Danger Zones for Teen Drivers

Danger Zones for Teen Drivers

• Driving Inexperience
• Driving with Teen Passengers
• Nighttime Driving
• Not Using Seat Belts
• Distracted Driving
• Drowsy Driving
• Reckless Driving
• Impaired Driving

Source: CDC

Georgia's Graduated Driver's License Process

Step One: Instructional Permit (Class CP)

A Georgia Instructional Permit (Class CP) is granted to persons at least 15 years of age upon passing a written knowledge exam.

Once issued an Instructional Permit (Class CP), you may operate any Class C vehicle only when accompanied by a person at least 21 years of age who is licensed to drive a Class C vehicle, who is fit and capable of exercising control over the vehicle, and who is occupying a seat beside the driver.

Step Two: Provisional License (Class D)

A Georgia Provisional License (Class D) is granted to persons 16 and 17 years of age that have held an Instructional Permit (Class CP) for 12 months and one day, have had no major traffic violations that resulted in the mandatory suspension of their permit, completed ADAP, satisfied Joshua's Law and TADRA requirements, and passed a road skills test.

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. §40-5-22, Joshua's Law requires teens ages 16 and 17 to show proof of having successfully completed an approved driver education course consisting of at least 30 hours of theoretical instruction (classroom or online) and 6 hours of practical behind-the-wheel training (instructor or parent taught) to obtain a Provisional License (Class D).

Once the Provisional License is obtained, the teen driver must follow the Class D License Restrictions.

Provisional License (Class D) Restrictions - O.C.G.A. §40-5-24

• A Class D license holder may not drive between the hours of 12:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. — NO EXCEPTIONS.
• During the first six months following issuance, only immediate family members may ride in the vehicle. "Immediate family member" includes the driver’s parents and stepparents, grandparents, siblings and step-siblings, children, and any other person who resides at the driver’s residence.
• During the second six months following issuance, only one passenger under 21 years of age who is not a member of the driver’s immediate family may ride in the vehicle.
• After the first and second six-month periods, only three passengers under 21 years of age who are not members of the driver’s immediate family may ride in the vehicle.

Step Three: Full License (Class C)

Provisional License (Class D) holders may apply for a Class C Georgia driver’s license upon reaching 18 years of age; provided, however, they have not been convicted of any of the following major traffic violations during the 12 months preceding application:

• Driving under the influence (DUI) (O.C.G.A. §40-6-391)
• Using a motor vehicle to flee or attempt to elude a police officer (O.C.G.A. §40-6-395)
• Racing on highways or streets (O.C.G.A. §40-6-186)
• Reckless driving (O.C.G.A. §40-6-390)
• Hit and run or leaving the scene of a crash (O.C.G.A. §40-6-270)
• Any violation that resulted in the assessment of four or more points against their driver’s license.

TADRA Suspensions (Non-DUI)

The State of Georgia applies strict penalties to teens who fail to obey the laws regarding the operation of a motor vehicle. The driver’s license of any person under 21 years of age convicted of any of the following offenses shall be suspended for a period of 6 months for a first conviction or for a period of 12 months for a second or subsequent suspension:

• Hit and run or leaving the scene of a crash (O.C.G.A. §40-6-270)
• Racing on highways or streets (O.C.G.A. §40-6-186)
• Using a motor vehicle to flee or attempt to elude a police officer (O.C.G.A. §40-6-395)
• Reckless driving (O.C.G.A. §40-6-390)
• Aggressive driving (O.C.G.A. §40-6-397)
• Underage possession of alcohol while operating a motor vehicle (O.C.G.A. §3-3-23(a)(2))
• Any other offense for which 4 or more points are assessed against the driver’s license
• The accumulation of four or more points in any 12-month period while under 18 years of age