Graduated licensing systems could apply to all first-time drivers as they do outside the United States. In this country, however, young people make up the majority of beginning drivers, and graduated systems now being considered in most states would focus on these drivers. It should be noted that young people are subject to legal restrictions in a variety of areas such as voting, purchasing alcohol, serving in the military, and assuming financial obligations. We know some characteristics of younger drivers who are more likely than others to be in crashes, but it's impossible to identify them adequately on an individual basis and intervene before they get into crashes. The logic of addressing all young people is that they all are beginners when they start driving.
Every novice needs time to develop driving skills in low-risk settings.
Young drivers tend to be immature and impulsive, overestimating their own physical and driving abilities and underestimating dangers in the driving environment. This leads them to risky driving behaviors such as speeding, passing inappropriately, following too closely, and driving without seat belts. Young drivers frequently drive during nighttime high-risk hours, often with peers in the vehicle. Passengers can cause distractions and create peer pressure to participate in risky behavior. Teen passengers increase the crash risk for teenage drivers both during the day and at night.