Editing Driving (section)

== Driving laws ==
Drivers are subject to the laws of the [[jurisdiction]] in which they are driving.

=== International conventions ===
Some jurisdictions submit to some or all of the requirements of the [[Geneva Convention on Road Traffic]] of 1949.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trans/conventn/Convention_on_Road_Traffic_of_1949.pdf|title=Geneva Convention on Road Traffic 1949}}</ref>

Additionally, the [[Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals]] standardises road signs, traffic lights and road markings to improve safety.

=== Local driving laws ===
[[File:Permiso de conducir plastificado.jpg|thumbnail|right|upright|Driver's license from Spain. Spanish driving licenses use a point system]]
The rules of the road, [[Driver's license|driver licensing]] and [[License plate|vehicle registration]] schemes vary considerably between jurisdictions, as do laws imposing [[Vehicular homicide|criminal responsibility for negligent driving]], [[Vehicle inspection|vehicle safety inspections]] and compulsory [[Vehicle insurance|insurance]]. Most countries also have differing laws against driving while under the [[Driving under the influence|influence of alcohol or other drugs]]. [[Aggressive driving]] and [[Road rage (phenomenon)|road rage]] have become problems for drivers in some areas.

Some countries require annual renewal of the driver's license. This may require getting through another driving test or vision screening test to get recertified.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/specialist/knowledge/old/what_can_be_done_about_it/assessing_the_fitness_to_drive_en|title=Assessing the fitness to drive|date=October 17, 2016|website=Mobility and transport - European Commission}}</ref> Also, some countries use a [[Point system (driving)|points system]] for the driver's license. Both techniques (annual renewal with tests, points system) may or may not improve road safety compared to when the driver is not continuously or annually evaluated.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Desapriya | first1 = E. | last2 = Wijeratne | first2 = H. | last3 = Subzwari | first3 = S. | last4 = Babul-Wellar | first4 = S. | last5 = Turcotte | first5 = K. | last6 = Rajabali | first6 = F. | last7 = Kinney | first7 = J. | last8 = Pike | first8 = I. | editor1-last = Desapriya | editor1-first = Ediriweera | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD006252.pub3 | title = Vision screening of older drivers for preventing road traffic injuries and fatalities |journal=The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews| year = 2011 | issue = 3 | pages = CD006252 | pmid = 21412894 }}</ref>

====Ownership and insurance====
[[Car ownership]] does not require a driver's license at all. As such, even with a [[Point system (driving)|withdrawn driver's license]], former drivers are still legally allowed to possess a car and thus have access to it. In the USA, between 1993 and 1997 13.8% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes had no driver's license.<ref>[https://www.adtsea.org/webfiles/fnitools/documents/aaa-unlicensed-to-kill.pdf Unlicensed to kill]</ref>

In some countries (such as the UK), the car itself needs have a [[MOT test|certificate that proves the vehicle is safe and roadworthy]]. Also, it needs to have a minimum of [[Car insurance|third party insurance]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/legal-obligations-drivers-riders|title=Legal obligations of drivers and riders|website=GOV.UK}}</ref>

====Driver training====
Drivers may be required to take lessons with an approved [[driving instructor]] (or are strongly encouraged to do so) and must pass a [[driving test]] before being granted a license. Almost all countries allow all adults with good vision and health to apply to take a driving test and, if successful, to drive on public roads.

In many countries, even after passing one's driving test, new drivers are initially subject to special restrictions under [[graduated driver licensing]] rules. For example, in Australia, novice drivers are required to carry "P" ("provisional") plates,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au/geared/your_licence/keeping_your_licence/rules_for_l_and_p_plate_drivers.html|title=Restrictions for L and P plate drivers – Keeping your licence – Your licence – GEARED|website=Geared – Transport for NSW|date=16 August 2021 }}</ref> while in [[New Zealand]] it is called restricted (R).<ref>{{cite web|title=Conditions and restrictions of a restricted licence|url=https://www.drivingtests.co.nz/roadcode-questions/car/theory/if-you-have-a-restricted-license-what-ho/|website=Driving Tests}}</ref> Many U.S. states now issue graduated drivers' licenses to novice minors. While graduated driver licensing rules vary between jurisdictions, typical restrictions include newly licensed minors not being permitted to drive or operate a motorized vehicle at night or with a passenger other than family members, zero blood alcohol, and limited [[power-to-weight ratio]] of the vehicle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/license_laws.html |title=Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Laws |date=July 2012|access-date =2012-07-22 }}</ref>