Question: I heard about a thing called “Vanessa’s Law” the other day and I wasn’t quite sure what it was all about. I know it has to do with new or young drivers.

Answer: Vanessa Weiss was killed just days before her 16th birthday in May 2003. In her memory, Vanessa’s Law was passed a year later. She was a passenger in a vehicle driven by an unlicensed 15-year-old.

Vanessa’s Law applies to all teens who commit an impaired driving crime or crash-related moving violation but applies differently whether you have a provisional license or are unlicensed.

If you are convicted of a crash-related moving violation or an alcohol/controlled substance-related violation (such as Driving While Impaired, Implied Consent, Open Bottle, or Underage Drinking and Driving/Not a Drop Law) while you are driving without a license as a teenager, you cannot get a license, instruction permit or provisional license until you are 18. At 18, you must:

• Pass the Class D written test.

• Fulfill reinstatement requirements, including payment of fees, which can be up to $680 depending on circumstances.

• Obtain an instruction permit and hold it for at least six months.

• Pass the road test and apply for a new license.

If you lose driving privileges due to a crash-related moving violation or an alcohol/controlled substance related violation while driving with your provisional license, you cannot regain a license until age 18.

At that time, you must complete the following steps to obtain a full driver’s license:

• Fulfill all reinstatement requirements, including the payment of fees, which can be up to $680 depending on circumstances.

• Complete the classroom portion of a formal driver education course.

• Pass the Class D written test if the license has been expired for over one year.

• Obtain an instruction permit and hold it for three months.

• Complete the behind-the-wheel portion of a driver education course and apply for a new license.