The number of mandatory behind-the-wheel training hours that 16- and 17-year-olds must complete before they are eligible to obtain a driver's license will increase from eight to 20. These teenagers will also have a curfew that prohibits driving except in emergencies and other special circumstances, between midnight and 5 a.m.

"Raising the number of training hours to 20 will better prepare young drivers," Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Ralph J. Carpenter said. "They need to realize that driving is a significant responsibility."

This training can be obtained through commercial driving schools, school-based driver education programs, home training or any combination of these training options.

A second major law change restricts 16- and 17-year-olds from driving between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m., except for employment, school or religious activities or medical-related reasons.

"It's much safer for 16- and 17-year-olds to master their driving skills during the daylight," Mr. Carpenter said.

Another restriction 16- and 17-year-olds face is that they are prohibited from using any type of cell, phone or mobile electronic device while driving, even with hands-free accessories. The exceptions include: an emergency situation and when contacting an emergency response operator, a hospital, physician's office, health clinic, ambulance company or fire or police department.

Also effective October 1, a newly-licensed teenage driver will be allowed to have two parents or legal guardians in the vehicle during the first three months. Previously only one parent or guardian was allowed. However, the driver cannot transport any other passengers except a licensed driving instructor or person at least 20 years of age who has held a license for four years and has not been suspended. These are the only passengers allowed during the first three months a 16- or 17-year-old driver has a license.

During the second three months, the driver remains subject to the passenger restraints, but can transport additional members of his or her immediate family.

These hour and passenger restrictions do not apply to drivers who are active members of volunteer fire companies or departments, volunteer ambulance organizations or emergency medical service organizations and are engaged in the performance of duties for such organizations.

Other laws that will go into affect Saturday, October 1, include:

- Ban Pocket Bikes. "Mini-motorcycles" will be banned on any public highway, public sidewalk or public property in Connecticut. A "mini-motorcycle" is a vehicle that has not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, has a seat in which the rider may sit, is propelled by an engine having a piston displacement of 50 cc or less, is capable of a speed of more than 20 miles per hour and is not eligible for registration.

- Cell Phone Restrictions. Drivers 18 years of age and older will need hands-free accessories to legally use cell phones or mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle, except for in an emergency situation or by drivers who are peace officers, firefighters or ambulance drivers who are performing their official duties.

- Child Restraint Requirements. Children under the age of seven or who weigh less than 60 pounds will be required to use a DMV-approved child restraint system when riding in a motor vehicle. Also, children under the age of one or who weigh less than 20 pounds will be required to ride in a rear facing child restraint system approved by the DMV.

- Dogs in Pick-up Trucks: Drivers will be banned from transporting dogs in the open rearward compartment area of pick-up trucks unless the dog is properly secured to prevent it from being thrown or falling or jumping from it.

- Restrictions on Jake Brakes. Each truck equipped with an engine compression brace device ("Jake Brakes") must also be equipped with a muffler, in good working condition for such device.

- Reclaim of Towed Motor Vehicle. The option for the owner of a towed motor vehicle to remove the vehicle without paying any costs, by signing a declaratory statement that says he or she believes the vehicle was taken illegally, will be eliminated. Beginning October 1, if a vehicle is towed from private property, the owner must pay the towing and storage costs, but retains the right to contest the towing action.