What is one benefit of graduated licensing?

Graduated licensing is a system designed to provide new drivers with a structured learning process that gradually increases their driving privileges as they gain more experience and skills. One of the key benefits of this system is that it decreases the probability of accidents among new drivers.

This benefit arises because graduated licensing typically involves several stages, each with specific restrictions intended to reduce risk. For instance, new drivers might start with a learner's permit, which allows them to drive only under certain conditions—often with a licensed adult present. This limits their exposure to high-risk driving situations until they have developed the necessary skills. As they progress, they may receive a provisional license with more freedoms but still retain certain restrictions that help prevent dangerous behaviors. This tiered approach helps to reduce the likelihood of accidents, as new drivers are progressively allowed to drive independently only when they have demonstrated that they can do so safely.

In contrast, some other options misunderstand the premise of graduated licensing; for instance, promoting driving without restrictions contradicts the essence of graduated licensing, which is all about managing the transition to full driving privileges with safety in mind. Similarly, stating that it is only used in rural areas and requires no driving experience does not accurately reflect the broad application and foundational philosophy of graduated licensing systems, which