Learners get the ticket – Medford News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2011-08-28

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Learners get the ticket Aug 28, 2011 12:00 AM A A If a licensed driver is supervising a new driver using a learner's permit, and the newbie gets pulled over, who gets the ticket, the driver with the permit or the licensed driver who's supervising? — Tom C., Eagle Point The permit holder pays the price, Tom. Oregon law notes that the holder of a learner's permit — actually called an instruction driver permit — is subject to the same laws as any other driver. Both adult and teen instruction permit holders must be accompanied by a licensed driver older than 21. But if they are pulled over, the ticket is on them. Under Oregon's system, an instruction permit is available to 15-year-olds who pass a written test. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds are eligible for a provisional license after they pass a written test and a driving skills (behind-the-wheel) test. They are not required to have an adult driver with them in the car. They can obtain a driver's license without having had an instruction permit. However, if the 16- or 17-year-old fails the driving skills test, they must have an instruction permit for a month before they are eligible to take another driving test. Teen drivers under 18 face penalties beyond fines if they receive multiple tickets. For the first non-major traffic conviction, provisional drivers receive a warning letter, and it ramps up if there are more tickets: A second conviction requires a meeting with a driver-improvement counselor who must determine a remedial action (defensive driving course, restricted license or other); a third conviction leads to a license suspension and a fourth results in license suspension until the 18th birthday.