In the United States, there is a type of driver’s permit which is issued to individuals who are still in the process of learning how to drive. This is classified as a restricted or provisional license because it will not allow you to do the same things as those who have already met the requirements for holding a normal driver’s license. After you have met the requirements for holding the permit, you will be issued your own driver’s license. There are restrictions though, in case the license was issued before you reach the age of 18. Here is what you need to know:

Passenger restrictions

For the first six months of attaining your driver’s license and you are under 18, you have to remember that you may only drive with a licensed driving instructor or a parent or guardian who has a driver’s license. You can also drive with a person who is over 20 years old, provided he has been holding his license for 4 years without any driving violation committed within the last 4 years. For the next 6 months, you can drive with just immediate family members around.

Curfew restrictions

There are curfew restrictions imposed as well up until you reach your 18^th birthday. Basically, you will not be allowed to drive between 11PM and 5AM. Exemptions to this restriction apply if you are driving for school and for employment purposes. The same exemptions apply when you are driving the vehicle for emergency cases and when you attend religious activities.

Restrictions when using seatbelts

You may be aware of the fact that many of the road mishaps take place due to the negligence in wearing seatbelts. It is sad to note that millions do not buckle up for safety. When you have your license and you are still under 18 years of age, you must instruct all your passengers to wear the installed seatbelts in the vehicle. Of course, you as the driver must wear your seatbelts too. If not, this is considered a violation of your license.

Restrictions on the use of cellular phones

Texting is one of the causes of distracted driving in the United States. Statistics says that 1.6 million of the total car crashes every year are connected to the use of cellphones. It also says that 78% of all distracted drivers have the use of cellphones to blame for their distraction. These numbers alone can be very fatal not just to the driver but for all other people you meet down the road in the course of using your mobile phones or any other gadgets for that matter.

This is why you have to care about these restrictions when using your cellular phones while driving, and you are under 18. You should never use your phones when driving even if it comes with a hands-free device. You may not use any mobile device as well including hand-held computers with video display.

Following the rules

Some of you may question the many restrictions in place when you are under 18 years old. Come to think of it, you will not be issued a driver’s license unless you have satisfied all the necessary requirements. But this is one way to exercise caution and make you become a more responsible driver in the future. That way, you can avoid mishaps that can cost your own and other people’s lives.

Driving, after all, is a responsibility. Right, it can take you to destinations of your choice in the most convenient way but it does not mean you can should abuse this responsibility. Remember, everyone went through the same provisions too when they were just starting out on their driving journey. Make sure that when you are taking driving lessons in Malden, check with your instructor and let him or her explain the different restrictions clearly to you so that you will be on the right side of the law.

Getting speeding tickets come with a price and it can be a very hefty one. In the US alone, one state may charge more than what another state charges for speeding over the legal limit. In this post, you will learn about speed limit regulations, and the states that charge big fines for speeding.

What you must know about speed limits in the US

Before getting to know the list of states that charge the highest fees for speeding, it is best to have a basic understanding in terms of speed limits first. You have to pay particular attention to speed limits enforced in smaller towns where there are fewer people. Take note that while you will not expect many people crossing the road in these towns, there is still a chance you will be fined even if you have just gone five miles above the maximum speed allowed. Aside from making sure you drive your car within the recommended speed, make sure you strictly follow the respective road signs.

States on the West Coast where you will pay more for speeding tickets

When you are driving on the West Coast, you should be extra careful in the states of Texas, Nevada and California. In Texas, for example, you can be charged a thousand dollars for a speeding ticket. This is exclusive of additional fines that may be implemented. Whether you are driving through small towns or the busy highways in Texas, it is in your best interest to drive within the speed limit.

Never gamble your luck as well when driving on the long highways of Nevada because once you are caught going over the speed limit, you will be issued a speeding ticket which will cost you a thousand dollars too, even for your first offense. The same is true when in California when you go ten miles over the limit. There are also additional fees that come with the offense that you may have to pay.

States on the East Coast where you will pay more for speeding tickets

Going to the ‘other side’ of the country, you will want to avoid speeding along streets of Georgia, Virginia and North Carolina. In Georgia, you will pay an additional of $200 beside what is reflected on the speeding ticket, if you are going over 75 miles per hour on its roads and 85 miles per hour on the freeway. Fines can sum up to a thousand dollars if you do not exercise caution.

Virginia, on the other hand, will burn a hole in your pocket for driving 20 miles per hour over the allowed speed limit. Any violation will cost up to as much as $2,500 plus a year in jail as part of your penalty. When you are driving in North Carolina, expect to pay no less than $1,000 for going over the speed limit.

What to do when you are caught

The first thing that will come to mind when you get caught for going over the speed limit is to pay the fine immediately. But, what if you have no cash to pay for the amount? Luckily, you can resort to one of two mentioned choices in some states – one is to attend traffic school again and the other is to undergo a defensive driving course, for example, if you are from Massachusetts, you need to take up defensive driving in Malden.

However, doing so will not totally free you from the burden of paying your speeding ticket but will somehow lessen the fine and the points reflected on your driving record. The morale of the story is to always drive safely and not take the speed limit for granted!