September is among us and with it, a new season.  This transition often brings a change in all of us. One of these is a number of new drivers completing their driver training course. These new drivers gain a new freedom (Yee Haw)!!  What are often overlooked are the responsibilities that come with this new found freedom.

A number of Henderson’s clients, friends and parents have young adults who have just completed or will soon complete the driver training program.  I therefore began to wonder and ask people, especially parents with young drivers, what they understood about the current Saskatchewan Graduated Driver’s Licensing Program (GDL). I guess I wasn’t really surprised when the response was “I know nothing”; “what’s a graduated driver’s license program”; “yeah I know there is some kind of rules or guidelines”. Well parents, there is a program and it comes with some driving restrictions and consequences for new drivers that we should all be aware of.

What is the GDL….

In 2005 SGI implemented a GDL program which places certain restrictions on new or inexperienced drivers. As the driver gains experience the restrictions become less and the driver has more freedoms. There are 3 stages within the GDL and each comes with a minimum development time in which the driver can improve there driving skills.

1Class 7 Learner with a 9 month development time

2Class 5 - Novice 1 with a 6 month development time

3Class 5 - Novice 2 with a 12 month development time

Program Restrictions and Affects….

There are common restrictions within each class such as: who can be a passenger, the number of passengers and supervising drivers. Failing to renew a driver’s license on time, while in the GDL program, can have an affect on when the driver will be eligible for the road test. Also, should a driver be found at fault for an accident or receive a traffic violation they can be placed in the Driver Improvement Program. The improvement program includes everything from a defensive driving course to long term suspension of the driver’s license.