The rule of "getting your driver's licence at least after you're 16" shouldn't apply to everybody

Thank you. "She assumes that just anyone can get a driver's license. She's mentioned this several times in her last speech; this is an absolutely ludicrous claim. The DMV is not going to let just anyone get a driving license; they're not handed out like hot cakes. In fact, all 50 states have some form of Graduated Driver License programs:" I did not mean just "anyone". Of course there are exceptions. "GDL laws already have cut fatal traffic accidents with 16 year olds by 11 percent" What if this can cut it by more? "GDL laws also show, over time, if a driver is not ready to drive. He won't pass the initial permit test, nor the license test, if he is not ready. But it will also reflect in the mandatory supervised driving a teen must acquire in order to test for the graduated license." The permit test is the written test. It has pictures of signs and you have to name them, etc. If somebody doesn't pass this, they definatly don't need the permit. However, even if somebody does pass this test, that doesn't mean that they are ready to drive. I knew these signs when I was eight. Does that mean I could drive? No. Now, about the licence test, in many states, they do not give the driving test anymore. Some can take it online, print out the certificate, and show up to the DMV. Then they have thier licence. " If this is necessary, a person shouldn't be driving. It creates unsafe situations like being too close to the airbag, not being able to see over the steering wheel, reach the pedals, etc. Regardless, one should be more mature in order to drive a car (16 years old, when most young adults have reached a height over 5' 5")" I move the seat when I drive a car. The whole point of moving the seat is so you can touch the pedals. Also, my friend is 4'11. She can drive a car just fine. Most 13, 14, and 15 year olds are taller than her. If she can reach the pedals, I'm sure they can. "They don't get jobs because they don't have transportation, but because workers don't want to hire, basically, children" One year difference? The jobs don't have to be at a business, it can be babysitting, mowing, painting, etc. However, they wouldn't be able to do these things around town, because they wouldn't have transportation. "Again, my opponent brings up this false claim about testing at the DMV without really testing. I've already addressed it. But like I've mentioned before as well, GDL programs can greatly reduce these negative harms. Under the GDL laws, parents HAVE to be in a car with a teen to be driving, so that's your "hawk eye." This is not a false claim. I did not have to take a road test. I only took the sign test, which was for my permit. I live in the state of Texas, and Texas does not require you to take a road test. Parents do not HAVE to be in a car with you after you get your licence. Parents (or someone over 21) have to be in the car with you when you have your permit, but that is different than the licence. "Your biggest point on the CON side of this debate is the GDL program, this graduated drivers license program that allocates for the learning curve of driving. You can find a summary of this on just about any website, but the fact is, you have to NEGATE in order to take advantage of this benefit." About 40% of all teenage drivers get into a car accident withing the first year of earning their licence. http://www.atlanticdrivingschoolaz.com... GDL restrictions usually last for one year. If the above sentance is true, then shouldn't we be doing something about this? GDL restrictions may work some, but letting younger teens get their licence if they take tests, would work. My reason for saying this is because if younger kids start to drive, they will tighten the laws about GDL. I got my licencetwo months ago, and the only restrictions I have are: no driving between 12 pm and 5 am and no more than one passenger under 21 in the car with me (unless a relative is riding, then we can have however many we want). These restrictions aren't much, and teens will drive whenever with whoever they want. That is why if we test kids to see how mature they are, some may not be able to get their licence. (hint: the ones who don't really care.) --Arguments-- 1. It would cause less accidents for people who have no licence but continue to drive anyways.---- There are people who drive their parent's or friend's cars without a licence, because they are too young to get it. Of course they are inexperienced. They could die driving, because they were not as informed as they thought. Driving is different than people think it is. Just think if they had been able to get their licence, and they were well informed. It could save many lives. I am sorry but I cannot continue because it is 2:00 in the morning and I have to go to bed because I have to wake up at 6:00. I was not able to do this earlier today and tomorrow I will not be able to do it because I will not be near internet access. (The lake) That is why 2:00 in the morning was the only time. This was a good debate and you were a good debater. Thank you everyone and please post RFD's. Thank you :)