Publication Details

The effect of COVID-19 on teen's driving practice & parent approval for proposed changes to licensing requirements in North Carolina

Type: Paper

Subtype: Technical Brief

Author(s): O'Brien, Natalie P.; Goodwin, Arthur H.; Kirley, Bevan B.; Robison, Kristel; Hancock, Kari A.; Harrell, Stephanie

Collection title: C19 Mobility and Health

Publisher: UNC Highway Safety Research Center

Url: https://www.c19mobilityandhealth.unc.edu/docs/C19_TechBrief_04.pdf

Publication Date: 2021

Number: 4

Address: Chapel Hill, NC

Abstract: In this Technical Brief, we describe how COVID-19 affected practice among teens in the learner (supervised) phase of graduated driver licensing (GDL). In North Carolina, new drivers are required to have a permit for 12 months and to get 60 hours of supervised practice prior to licensure. Prior research shows that most of this driving practice occurs during routine trips to school and extracurricular activities. With in-person schools closed and most activities canceled, opportunities for driving practice have been curtailed, potentially reducing the amount of driving practice teens receive during the learner period.