What it all means to you!!
The 411 on....  

The Graduated Licensing Law became effective on September 1, 2003 and it affects all junior drivers (16 and 17 years old) and senior permit holders in New York State. 

All permit holders, regardless of your age or when your received your learner permit:

Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old.

All junior learner permit and junior license holders, regardless of when you received your learner permit:

No more than two passengers under the age of 21 are allowed in the vehicle unless they are members of your immediate family; this does not apply if the accompanying driver is your licensed parent, guardian, person "in loco parentis," driver education teacher or driving school instructor.

All passengers must be properly belted or in a proper child restraint seat.

If you have a junior learner permit or a limited junior license, no passenger other than your supervising driver can sit in the front seat.  Your permit or license will be suspended for 60 days if you are convicted of any "serious" traffic violation (a violation of three points or more) or two "minor" traffic violations (a violation of two points or less). After your driving privileges have been reinstated repeat offenses (any "serious" or two "minor" violations) will result in a 60-day revocation. The suspension and revocation periods will not count towards the minimum 6-month waiting period before new junior learner permit holders can obtain a "full" junior driver's license.

All junior learner permit holders who receive a learner permit:

You will need to present at your road test a completed Certification of 20 Hours of Supervised Driving (DMV form MV-262), signed by your parent or guardian, certifying that you have had a minimum of 20 hours of practice driving experience under the direct  supervision of an appropriate supervising driver. This does not apply to applicants 17 years old who have completed a Certified Driver Education Course and present a valid Student Certificate of Completion (MV-285) at the road test.

If you pass your road test during the first six months of valid learner permit status, you will be issued a "limited" junior license. During this time, new regional restrictions will apply (see chart).

If you pass your road test after six months of valid learner permit status, you will be issued a "full" junior license.

Driving restrictions for New York City now allow a licensed parent, guardian or person "in loco parentis", as well as a driver education teacher or driving school instructor to accompany the learner as long as the vehicle has dual brakes.

All "full" junior license holders driving at night in Upstate counties (all counties other than NYC or Long Island) must be accompanied by a licensed supervising driver.

What is a "Limited Junior License?

A limited Junior license IS an intermediate step between a learner permit and a "full" Junior license, allowing young drivers (16 and 17-year olds) time to gain driving experience before obtaining unsupervised driving privileges. The new law provides for a 6-month waiting period (starting when the learner permit is issued) before these drivers can obtain a "full" junior driver's license. A junior learner permit holder who passes a road test within this 6-month waiting period will be issued a "limited" junior license. A junior learner permit holder who passes a road test after six months of holding the permit, will receive a "full" junior license (and skip the "limited" junior license step since the 6-month waiting period is over).

Note: Any time spent under suspension or revocation does not count towards the 6-month waiting period. Also, the "limited" junior license will automatically turn into a "full" junior license when the 6-month waiting period (combined junior learner permit time and limited junior license time) is over. DMV will automatically send a "full" use photo junior license.

Limited Use Restrictions

Limited Junior Licenses are subject to the following restrictions, which vary by geographic area within the state:

For Long Island (Nassau & Suffolk), Westchester, Putnam and Rockland Counties:

Between 5AM and 9PM, 

NO Driving Alone - Must be under immediate supervision of a parent, guardian, person "in loco parentis," driver education teacher, driving school instructor or anyone designated in writing by a parent, guardian or person "in loco parentis."  All of the above must be 21 or older and have a valid license for the vehicle being operated.

Between 9PM and 5AM,

NO Driving under any circumstances.

For New York City (5 Boroughs):

Between 5AM and 9PM, 

NO Driving Alone - Must be under immediate supervision of a parent, guardian, person "in loco parentis," driver education teacher or driving school instructor who is 21 or older and have a valid license for the vehicle being operated.  Vehicle must have dual controls (dual brakes).

Between 9PM and 5AM,

NO Driving under any circumstances.

For Upstate (All other counties):

Between 5AM and 9PM, 

May only Drive Alone for:
1. School course or activity.
2. Employment
3. Medical Appointment
4. Daycare for child of immediate family member (on regular basis)

All Other Driving:
Under immediate supervision of a person who is at least age 21 and has a license valid for the vehicle being driven.

Between 9PM and 5AM,

May only Drive Alone for:
1. School course or activity.
2. Employment
3. Medical Appointment
4. Daycare for child of immediate family member (on regular basis)

All Other Driving:
Under immediate supervision of a parent, guardian, person "in loco parentis," driver education teacher or driving school instructor who is 21 or older and have a valid license for the vehicle being operate

www.westchestergov.com/teendriving

Program funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with a grant from the New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee.