During the 1990s, many states moved toward graduated licensing. Some have enacted virtually all the elements of graduated licensing, while others have enacted only parts. The Institute has evaluated the states' licensing systems using criteria designed to estimate the strength and likely effectiveness of the systems in reducing injuries. In particular, strong or optimal restrictions on the initial license phase and how long the restrictions last beyond the 16th birthday are credited. No state has an optimal graduated licensing system.
Marginal systems contain at least one significant element of graduated licensing.
Poor licensing systems have no mandatory learner's holding period and no night driving or passenger restrictions, or they have a mandatory learner's holding period less than 6 months and no other significant elements of graduated licensing.