New teen driving laws in effect

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The changes for Michigan teen drivers with a level 2 intermediate license take effect Wednesday.

The new laws aim to strengthen the state's existing graduated driver's license program, first introduced in 1996. The program gradually increases privileges as drivers advance through the system and ends when they turn 18.

Drivers with the intermediate licenses won't be allowed to have more than one unrelated passenger under age 21 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian or they are driving to and from school events.

The law also prohibits the new teen drivers from getting behind the wheel between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless they are driving to and from work. The previous law allowed them to drive until midnight.