Testing and evaluation of graduated driver license marker : summary report.

Krechmer, Daniel; Louch, Hugh; Dave, Anand; Izhar, Muhammad; Kleiner, Bernardo · 2008 · ROSA P / New Jersey. Dept. of Transportation

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Summary

This report evaluates the feasibility of a removable visual marker for vehicles operated by Graduated Driver License (GDL) holders in New Jersey. The study was motivated by the NJ Teen Driver Safety Study Commission’s 2008 recommendation to aid law enforcement in identifying teen drivers violating GDL restrictions, such as nighttime curfews and passenger limits. The primary objective was to determine which attachment technologies and materials were viable for a marker affixed to standard license plates. The research team, comprising Cambridge Systematics and SI Engineering, identified six potential attachment technologies, including reusable adhesives, hook-and-loop fasteners, magnetic systems, and clips. After an initial assessment based on vendor specifications and durability criteria, two technologies were selected for field testing: hook-and-loop (Velcro) fasteners and magnetic fasteners. Approximately 30 tags were tested over one week by state employees, involving roughly 200 attachment and detachment cycles. Participants subjected the tags to real-world conditions, including mechanical car washes, freezing temperatures, and manual stress tests. Additionally, retroreflective stickers in yellow and light green were evaluated for durability and visibility. A focus group with law enforcement and transportation officials was also conducted to assess enforcement strategies and marker design. Field tests revealed significant differences in durability between the two attachment methods. Hook-and-loop fasteners proved superior, resisting damage from twisting and bending, whereas magnetic fasteners frequently cracked or broke after minimal stress. Both technologies suffered from reduced adhesion when surfaces were dirty, and license plate frames often obstructed proper placement. The tested stickers also failed performance standards; they cracked when bent, peeled when soaked, and faded in warm water. Visibility testing showed that neither yellow nor light green stickers were adequately visible to passing vehicles, particularly from the opposite direction or in rearview mirrors. The focus group concluded that printing "GDL" on the marker reduced visibility and recommended a solid color instead. The report recommends hook-and-loop fasteners as the preferred technology due to their durability, established performance specifications, and single-vendor availability. However, it notes that stickers require improved durability and a brighter, more reflective color to meet enforcement needs. The authors propose that the successful vendor conduct a larger-scale field test with 500–1,000 tags over several months before statewide deployment. This extended testing aims to identify long-term performance issues, determine loss rates, and refine distribution strategies. The study concludes that while markers will not solve all teen safety issues, they provide a valuable tool for enforcement and may increase driver compliance.

Key finding

Hook-and-loop fasteners demonstrated significantly greater durability and reliability than magnetic fasteners during field testing, although the tested retroreflective stickers failed to meet visibility requirements for law enforcement at speed.

Methodology

field_study

Sample size: 29

Provenance

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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.

Topics

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• vehicle conspicuity