The truth is, for both new drivers and those that have a deep passion for rare and collectible automobiles, knowing the ins and outs of implied consent laws can spell the difference between making a dream car dream come true or getting in serious legal trouble. What does that mean for everyone else? Practically speaking, it means knowing about the implied consent law means what for a minor and how they apply to minors.
What are Implied Consent Laws? Implied consent laws are those that revolve around the idea that the use of a particular privilege or right, in this case, the right to drive, implies consent on the part of the driver to submit to certain conditions for the privilege to be granted. In other words, when a person applies for and accepts the privilege of driving, that person also implicitly agrees to legal stipulations that are pertinent to driving. That means that the driver agrees that they may be tested for impairment or intoxication, and that they may face penalties if they don’t comply.
How Do They Apply to Minors? If you’re a parent with a newly licensed minor driver, it’s especially important to understand how implied consent laws apply to drivers under the age of 18. As it turns out, even though the law takes the position that a minor is not yet prepared to make the kind of choices required to drive, the penalty that was once only applicable to adult drivers manages to apply to minors as well. This applies to both those 16 and under that might be in a vehicle or on a motorcycle, but it also applies if someone under the age of 21 is drinking or taking drugs, even if they’re not on the road. Basically, anyone under the age of 21 can be legally tested for alcohol or drug intoxication, and if they’re found to be over the legal limit, they can have their driver’s license taken away.
Why This Matters to New Drivers If you have a minor driver in the family, they’re at risk every time they get behind the wheel, and whether they’re behind the wheel of your new Bugatti Chiron or your son’s very first vehicle, what they do when they’re behind the wheel can have serious legal repercussions. For those minors with a passion for cars and the means to pursue their passion through collectible cars, they’re looking at the opportunity to drive vehicles worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Whether it’s a classic car, futuristic concept car, or a muscle car they’ve turned into a street racer, the ability to drive these vehicles is something to be proud of. For all that pride and achievement, though, it’s important to take the time to help them understand the downside. Arm them with good legal knowledge about their rights and responsibilities, and you can hopefully ensure that many of their first driving experiences are all good ones.
For more information on driving laws and regulations, you can visit Wikipedia on Implied Consent.