Young Alaska drivers build habits to support a lifetime of safe driving. From driving in challenging weather, to avoiding distracted driving, there’s a lot to learn.
What We Offer
Safe Alaskans has offerings for caregivers and young drivers, and welcomes collaborations to promote teen driving safety.
New drivers can get personalized tips with a free, 20-minute skills check. This computer-based program helps drivers safely test their reaction to road dangers. It’s open to ages 14 and up at every stage of learning. It is offered at events and by appointment.
How does the skills check help?
It lets drivers face road dangers safely (virtually) and test their own responses. They get a feedback report on how they did, plus tips to help them improve.
Is the skills check a replacement for time behind the wheel?
No. It doesn’t replace real practice behind the wheel or professional instruction from a driving school.
Supporting Young Drivers
Staying Focused Behind the Wheel
A lot can happen in the few seconds it takes to check a phone. Yet many teens in Alaska take this risk. The 2023 Alaska Youth Risk Behavior Survey found that 41% of high school students texted or emailed while driving in the past 30 days. In 2019, that number was 30%. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, texting increases teens’ crash risk by 23X.
Parents and teens can work together to set safe habits in place. Here are some resources to get started:
Mindfulness Practices for New Drivers: The Alaska Teen Media Institute created a video with tips to help young drivers focus before they drive. See it here.
Mindful Driving Log: Teens can add a quick mindfulness activity to their routine before each drive. It pairs well with tracking their instruction hours. View it here.
Driving License and Permit Stages in Alaska
Alaska uses a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program that builds privileges in three stages as teens gain experience and confidence behind the wheel.
Stage 1: Instruction Permit: Ages 14+
At 14, Alaskan teens can take the Driver’s License Knowledge Test and earn their Instruction (Learner’s) Permit — the first step toward independent driving.
With an instruction permit, teens can practice driving when accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or older. This stage is all about building the fundamentals: steering, braking, reading the road, and learning how to handle Alaska-specific conditions like black ice, low-visibility snowstorms, and wildlife on the road.
Ready to start? Teens can prepare for the knowledge test using the Alaska DMV’s Sample Knowledge Test.
Stage 2: Provisional License (Ages 16-17)
At 16, teens can apply for a Provisional License — a big step toward independence that comes with real-world responsibilities. To qualify, teens must:
- Have held an instruction permit for at least 6 months with no driving citations
- Have practiced with a qualified driver for at least 40 hours, including 10 hours in progressively challenging conditions such as darkness, inclement weather, or highway driving.
Provisional license restrictions exist because risk factors for crashes in this age group include driving at night and driving with friends. Teens with a provisional license:
- May not drive passengers under age 21 (unless they are siblings, or a parent or guardian is present in the vehicle).
- May not drive between 1–5 AM, unless traveling to or from a job.
Important: Violating these restrictions results in a $200 penalty and a 2-point violation on the driving record.
Stage 3: Full Driver's License (Ages 18+)
A full license marks the transition to driving without restrictions. By this stage, teens should feel confident handling Alaska’s unique road conditions, understanding traffic laws, and making responsible choices that keep themselves and others safe.
A full Driver’s License is available to those ages 18+ who pass written, vision and road tests.
Note: This license expires 90 days after the driver turns 21; to renew it, the driver will need to pass an Alcohol and Drug Awareness Knowledge test.
Learn more at the Alaska DMV First License page.
The Alaska DMV Instruction Permit page walks you through eligibility requirements, the documents you’ll need, and how to schedule your knowledge test.
Additional Resources
Where can I find an Alaska driving school?
Consider finding a state-approved driving school to build confidence and fulfill the supervised driving hours required for a provisional license.
What tools can help me prepare a new driver?
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publishes fact sheets about the biggest risk factors for teen drivers.
- The National Safety Council (NCS) offers short, practical lessons designed to help caregivers coach teen drivers on topics like managing distractions, choosing safe speeds, and making smart decisions under pressure. NSC also offers a printable agreement for teens and caregivers to decide ground rules for driving.
Collaborate with Us
Consider collaborating with Safe Alaskans to help youth stay safer on Alaska’s roads.
Safe Alaskans works with youth serving organizations to bring computer-based driving assessments to Alaska teens (14+). These provide youth, and the adults teaching them, ways to develop safe driving behaviors. Safe Alaskans brings equipment directly to community spaces for events and works with partners to host the equipment on an ongoing basis.
What are the results of the Young Drive Skills Check-Ups?
Safe Alaskans’ Teen Driving Skills Check-up helps caregivers teach their teens safe driving habits. In a program evaluation, caregivers reported:
72% looked at their teen’s virtual driving assessment results.
92%* said the results gave them insights into their teen’s driving behaviors.
77%* used the results to focus practice on specific issues.
63% urged their teen to use exercises that build focus while driving.
In post-program surveys administered to teen participants, 73% said the feedback gave them useful insight into their own driving, and 62% said it changed what they focused on while driving.
Safe Alaskans engages partners in youth safe driving outreach, including outreach campaigns. Campaign toolkits and readily made materials are available by request.
Related Links
Learn about improving safety outside of the car.
Free car seat checks and installation help for families.
Learn other ways Safe Alaskans supports youth serving organizations.
Learn more about Safe Alaskan’s Injury Prevention programs.
Supporters
Young driver safety programming is made possible by the Alaska Highway Safety Office (AHSO), which funds this work in support of Alaska’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan. This program is also strengthened by partnerships with community organizations, event hosts, and strategic partners across Alaska who help distribute resources and educate vulnerable road users.