Final answer:
The GDL Examination Permit typically restricts driving hours for those under 21 as a form of legal discrimination which aims to protect young drivers and the public. Legal discrimination is allowed by the equal protection clause when it serves a valid governmental interest related to public safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question concerns the hours during which a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Examination Permit holder, who is under the age of 21, is allowed to drive. While specific restrictions can vary by state, as a general rule, young drivers with such permits are typically restricted to driving during daytime hours and may be prohibited from driving late at night to help reduce the risk of accidents. This is part of the state-imposed graduated licensing process designed to ensure that young drivers gain experience under less risky conditions before obtaining full driving privileges.
In the context of governmental policies, it is important to understand that legal discrimination is permissible when it is designed to protect certain groups or the general welfare, such as setting age limits for smoking, drinking, and driving. These restrictions are legally justified by public safety concerns and are an accepted form of discrimination meant to regulate behavior in the interest of the common good. Thus, the equal protection clause permits various forms of discrimination when there is a valid governmental interest, and when the means chosen by the government are closely related to that interest.