Question for Police officers

[GotOne]

My son got his drivers license when he turned 16. two months ago. I caught him driving with 2 people in the car. I took driving privileges away for 2 weeks. He said others in school do it and one friend even got pulled over for something (don't remember) and nothing happened. Beside the reason for the law, what are the consequences for driving with more than 1 person in the car? Thanks.

[Surface Tension]

Dad taking driving privileges for 2 weeks is a good fine in itself.

[BobT]

I think that regardless of the law, dad did the right thing and it doesn't matter what the consequences are from a legal standpoint unless dad is looking for a way to justify allowing his son to violate the law.

[GotOne]

I think that regardless of the law, dad did the right thing and it doesn't matter what the consequences are from a legal standpoint

"unless dad is looking for a way to justify allowing his son to violate the law".

Not even close Bob......I want some teeth into telling him why he shouldn't drive with more than 1 person in the car. He might keep doing it if he knows nothing is going to happen. I'm about a strict as you can get when it comes to a new driver (just ask him)......fully knowing the consequences of young, inexperienced drivers. He is my hunting and fishing buddy and I want him around for a long time!

[Big A]

For complete info. Check out

https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=171.055

Use of provisional license.

(a) A provisional license holder may not operate a vehicle while communicating over, or otherwise operating, a cellular or wireless telephone, whether handheld or hands free, when the vehicle is in motion. The provisional license holder may assert as an affirmative defense that the violation was made for the sole purpose of obtaining emergency assistance to prevent a crime about to be committed, or in the reasonable belief that a person's life or safety was in danger. Violation of this paragraph is a petty misdemeanor subject to section 169.89, subdivision 2.

( If the holder of a provisional license during the period of provisional licensing incurs

(1) a conviction for a violation of section 169A.20, 169A.33, 169A.35, or sections 169A.50 to 169A.53,

(2) a conviction for a crash-related moving violation, or

(3) more than one conviction for a moving violation that is not crash related,

the person may not be issued a driver's license until 12 consecutive months have expired since the date of the conviction or until the person reaches the age of 18 years, whichever occurs first.

© For the first six months of provisional licensure, a provisional license holder may not operate a motor vehicle carrying more than one passenger under the age of 20 years who is not a member of the holder's immediate family. For the second six months, the holder of the license may not operate a motor vehicle that is carrying more than three passengers who are under the age of 20 years and who are not members of the holder's immediate family. This paragraph does not apply if the provisional license holder is accompanied by a parent or guardian.

(d) For the first six months of provisional licensure, a provisional license holder may operate a motor vehicle between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m. only when the license holder is:

(1) driving between the license holder's home and place of employment;

(2) driving between the license holder's home and a school event for which the school has not provided transportation;

(3) driving for employment purposes; or

(4) accompanied by a licensed driver at least 25 years of age.

In a nut shell..

Based on your description he is in violation since he has only had his license for 2 months.

It comes with a fine and can result in the loss of your drivers license for 12 months or until your 18. That is based on the severity and frequency of violations. Those decisions are up to a judge.

A good reminder to also mention that if he is in violation of the law regarding passengers.. and god forbid something tragic happens. YOU and YOUR insurance Co are on the line for potential lawsuits.

Its a slippery slope. Nothing wrong with giving your local PD or State Patrol a call and speaking with an officer direct if you have further questions.

[luckey]

"Beside the reason for the law, what are the consequences for driving with more than 1 person in the car? Thanks."

I believe you mean "more than one passenger" in the car. The consequences are well documented. The potential for crashes goes up expotentially with the number of passengers. Driver and one, not so bad. Driver and two bad things can happen. Driver and three is a recipe for disaster. Check police logs.

[zamboni]

Kids can only have one other person in the car now? Wow, didn't know that

[elkrivermn]

If you had 3 or 4 females whos ages are 25-45 years old wouldnt that be just as dangerous?

[DTro]

Thanks for the info Big A

[GotOne]

I read that before I posted. I still can't see where it mentioned the fine or violation. It does state what the violation is for using a cell phone, but I don't see where it states the violation for driving with more than 1 passenger in the car.

Sorry, for beating a dead horse, but I want to enforce and get the point across to him that it's against the law, dangerous (they came up with the law based on the facts of new drivers) and hopefully a fine/loss of driving privileges for a period of time.

[upnorth]

If he is living under your roof, driving your car, under your insurance, I think that is plenty of reason for you to be able to tell him that it is him and one buddy and that is all. That carp of all the other kids are doing it is something every kid tries, both of mine tried it and it didn't work then and if it came up it wouldn't work today. My house, my rules, period, end of discussion.

[BobT]

Originally Posted By: BobT

I think that regardless of the law, dad did the right thing and it doesn't matter what the consequences are from a legal standpoint

"unless dad is looking for a way to justify allowing his son to violate the law".

Not even close Bob......I want some teeth into telling him why he shouldn't drive with more than 1 person in the car. He might keep doing it if he knows nothing is going to happen. I'm about a strict as you can get when it comes to a new driver (just ask him)......fully knowing the consequences of young, inexperienced drivers. He is my hunting and fishing buddy and I want him around for a long time!

Don't misunderstand. I wasn't trying to imply that you were. I guess for me, it comes down to what the consequences will be from me if my child (will be taking her exam in April) violates the laws. The consequences from the law are menial by comparison.

[Powerstroke]

in the first paragraph is mentions that a violation of the provisional license is a pretty misdemeanor. A petty is punishable by a fine up to $300. Usually different counties are allowed to decide on what the fine is for that violation, similar to how different counties have different charges for speeding tickets etc.

If I remember I'll crack open my statutes book and see if I can find more.

[deadeye]

Boy things have changed a bit since I got my license. I guess all those times going up north fishing with friends right after I got my license would have been void.

I'm pretty sure the smallest moving violation that I have heard of or seen was 112$.

SO a fine of 100 or more and loosing the license for while would be pretty devastating for 16 year old.

[BobT]

The threat must not be though when you consider how many are so willing to drive under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

[caseymcq]

Boy things have changed a bit since I got my license. I guess all those times going up north fishing with friends right after I got my license would have been void. ...

WOW! I too have been out of touch on the license regulations that have been put in place since I got mine. I would have been in some deep [PoorWordUsage]. We used to pile 4 - 5 guys in my dad's truck to go fishing or duck hunting when we were in highschool. Kind of a shame kids can't do that anymore, those were some good times and we weren't causing any real trouble. I guess just one of those changes...

[Big A]

I still can't see where it mentioned the fine or violation.

The FINE is basically dependent on the COUNTY the violation takes place in. They can differ a bit based on court surcharge fees. But I have never seen a moving violation fine that is less then $100. Particularly on a provisonal drivers license.

It does however state very clearly that more than 1 conviction will result in the loss of their drivers license for 12 months or until 18.

So again. In a nutshell..

He is in violation.

The 1st offense will be a large fine.

The 2nd offense will result in the loss of his drivers license.

[GotOne]

Thanks all.