Tell me if I'm interpreting this correctly, please

[MissMillie]

This is a portion of our state's Junior Operator Law (motor vehicle).

You may not operate a motor vehicle within the first 6 months of receiving a JOL while any passenger under age 18 is in the vehicle (other than you or an immediate family member of any age) unless you are accompanied by a person who is at least 21 years old, has at least 1 year of driving experience, holds a valid driver's license from Massachusetts or another state, and is occupying a seat beside you.

Now it is my understanding, according to this law that a young man, Mark, who is 17 and has been driving for only 3 months can drive with any family member in his car. Mark can also drive anyone who is 18 or older.

However when Mark is driving and there is a minor (under 18) non-family members in the car then there also has to be a 3rd person in the car who 1) is 21, 2) holds a drivers license, 3) has 1 year of driving experience; and 4) is sitting in the front passenger seat.

I'm going to check w/ the Registry of Motor Vehicles on this, but I wanted to see if you folks saw what I did in this law or if my son's NJROTC commander is nutsy, or, who knows.... maybe both.

Do I have it right, in your opinion?

[DS1]

1. Sounds totally normal

There's something almost identical to this in New Jersey. It just helps to cut down on a small crowd of high-school hormones stay in check.

[MissMillie]

5. I'm ok w/ the law

I have an 18 year old son who has been riding in a car w/ this boy Mark. The ROTC commander has been telling me this is not legal. He even told me he checked w/ local police and THEY told him that it wasn't legal.

I'm checking with the Registry of Motor Vehicles. When I read this, I interpret it to say that it is perfectly fine for an 18 year old to ride with someone who has a JOL.

[SmokingJacket]

2. Sounds right to me.

I think they're just trying to keep new drivers from going joyriding with a bunch of minors.

[kick-ass-bob]

3. that sounds about right.

They are trying to cut down on the '8 teenagers in a car' problems.

[Misunderestimator]

4. Edited...

I guess I need more coffee... seems like everyone understands this perfectly well... :shrug:

[MissMillie]

7. If you are under 18

and have been driving for less than 6 months, you are issues a Junior Operating License. That's the law.

I'm only referring to the JROTC commander because he is saying that a JOL can't drive an 18 year old cadet to JROTC events because it's illegal. And he's punishing the JOL holder for it.

But it's not illegal, at least not the way I'm interpreting the law.

[Misunderestimator]

8. Gotcha.

It definitely sounds like he should be able to drive the 18 year old cadet. His commander needs to read the law. :)

(I wasn't aware of the Junior Operating thing... having no kids, I guess things have changed a lot since I got my first hardship license at 14... almost 30 :cry: years ago.)

[MissMillie]

9. yeah, he has read the law

but I think he's misinterpreting it. I sent an email to the Registry of Motor Vehicles asking them to clarify the wording (I presented this "Mark" scenario to them) and when they reply I will show it to the commander.

[Gormy Cuss]

6. Yes. I remember this rule.

You have stated it correctly.
The idea behind is to prevent a bunch of goofy teenagers from doing something stupid like street racing. If I recall correctly, it was a compromise to a bill that would have raised the driving age or issuing severely restricted licenses for those under 18.