April 11, 2025
By Tyler Herman
Staff Writer
This article is part of a four-part in-depth reporting project about cars.
Student drivers in the Garden State are now spending more time behind the wheel.
Driver’s education teacher Mr. Tuero said the new law is a good addition to the Graduated Driver Licensing Program.
“The biggest issue I have heard when getting feedback from the students is their parents never have time to take them driving,” Tuero said. “This now encourages and basically forces them to make time.”
“These extra hours may seem excessive to some, but I believe that these will help ease so many people’s nerves, such as mine.”
Tuero said that during the required 50 hours, young people will improve in all aspects of driving, including merging onto highways, parallel parking, switching lanes and three-point turns.
“Everything will get better the more you practice,” Tuero said.
Sophomore Matthew Flores, who will receive his learner’s permit this month, said he supports the new law, even though not everyone will be truthful when logging their hours.
“Like most things, some will be honest, some won’t,” Flores said. “A lot of people just want to get to driving and skip through the long way.”
Flores said the law will benefit student drivers by requiring them to get enough practice on the road.
“These extra hours may seem excessive to some, but I believe that these will help ease so many people’s nerves, such as mine,” Flores said.
BAR GRAPH BY ALEXANDRA LOURENÇO This bar graph reflects the responses of 98 LHS students.
Junior Kesiah Boyd, who got her learner’s permit in August, said she opposes the new law.
“The 50 hours are just a burden to students who have other responsibilities that take up their time, like school and sports,” Boyd said.
She said the nighttime driving requirement is especially problematic.
“If you have practice right after school, you’re most likely completing your homework at night,” Boyd said. “Having to add at least 10 hours to your night routine is a huge burden to those high school athletes who already have so much on their plate.”
Despite the imposition it creates, Boyd said the 50-hour requirement will benefit new drivers.
“It’s more time to make you comfortable on the road. The more you drive, the more comfortable you become,” said Boyd.
