Special Rules on Minors

By Jake Langston
Employers who hire children must abide by strict state and federal guidelines. Children under 18 years old are considered minors by the law and are specially protected.

The laws under which children can work include several exemptions and special rules for certain jobs.

For example, there are many rules governing where, when and how a minor may drive a vehicle while at work. Some involve the type of employment and the hours of the day in which a minor may drive.

In some jurisdictions, minors may not be hired for any position that involves driving. Other places recognize that minors can't legally drive until they are 16 and adjust their employment laws accordingly. Some states require a minor to be 17 before they can drive a vehicle for their job.

Additionally, some restrictions are placed on the type of work they can legally perform. Sometimes teen drivers are not allowed to spend the majority of their time on the job in a car or truck.

Many states have detailed laws about teen driving and state that a teenager can not drive more than 20 percent of a work week. Teenagers are also not usually allowed to drive at night. Make sure you are aware of your state's regulations regarding teens and driving on the job.

Employers are also not allowed to hire teenagers to work at jobs that can endanger their health. For example, delivery jobs that use a car are not allowed in many jurisdictions. This is because these jobs often require frequent driving trips and may have incentives for drivers to speed to meet delivery deadlines.

If you are considering hiring a minor you should be up to date on current child labor laws. For more information, go online or contact an attorney. It's better to have all the information upfront before making costly mistakes.