Laws for Minors

By Jackie Reyno
If you're looking for a job and you're under 18, the law considers you a minor. This means employers must abide by certain state and federal guidelines when hiring minors. The laws are very specific and strict, especially those regarding driving. However, there are special exemptions and rules that make it worthwhile for employers to hire minors.

The laws may vary from state to state. Those involving teenagers and driving on the job can be very detailed and complicated. It's important for employers to be aware of the laws before they hire minors. It's often easier to prevent mistakes then to correct them afterward. In some areas, teens are not allowed to work at any job that requires driving. Yet other states acknowledge that most teens need to be 16 to get a license and craft their employment law accordingly. Those state require minors to be 17 before they can drive as part of their job.

Other requirements include restrictions on the type of work that teenagers can perform. Some laws prohibit teenagers from spending most of their time on the job in a car or truck. Many states get technical and make schedules restricting teenagers from driving more than 20 percent of their time on the job. Teenagers are also typically not allowed to drive at night.

Other laws prevent teenagers from taking jobs that can be dangerous to their health. For example, teenagers who not be allowed to take select delivery jobs since they often require frequent trips and require teenagers to drive fast to meet deadlines. If you're considering hiring a minor at your business be sure to have all the facts before you do. Go online for more information or consult an attorney. It's better to know the details upfront before making costly mistakes.