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Texas Cell Phone Laws | Teen Drivers | Dallas Fort Worth Accident Law

Posted on May 04, 2010

Lawmakers in the 2009 legislative session decided to pass some laws increasing safety for teen drivers. These laws went into effect on September 1.

With the passage of HB 339, teens are banned from using cell phones for any reason while driving. I think this might be the best law of the session as it relates to safety on our roads. Also, they will have to take 34 hours of behind the wheel driving instruction to get their license instead of the previous 12 hour requirement.

HB 2730 dictates several new changes in driver's licenses for teens as well. Now the restrictions for a graduated driver's license (such as no night driving between midnight and 5 am and no passengers under the age of 21 in the car), will be increased from six months to one year after the license is obtained. All drivers under the age of 18 must take a driving skills exam to get their license, and all driver's license applicants under the age of 25 will have to take an approved driver's education course.

Teens will also get their license suspended, according to SB 328, for failing a breathalyzer while operating a watercraft.