Final answer:
The GDL system requires young drivers under 21 to display specific identifiers on their vehicles. This is part of legal age-based restrictions similar to the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984, which is aligned with public interest objectives under the law.
Step-by-step explanation:
A vehicle operated by a GDL (Graduated Driver Licensing) driver under 21, must display specific identifiers that make it visible to law enforcement that the driver is subject to certain restrictions. These may include decals or other markers as dictated by state laws, which vary from one state to another. This system is part of a tiered approach to licensing to ensure that young drivers gain experience on the road under less risky conditions before obtaining full driving privileges.
The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 is an example of legal age-based restrictions established by the federal government. This act required states to raise their drinking age to twenty-one or risk losing federal highway funds. This is a form of legal discrimination; however, such discrimination is allowable under the law when it serves a compelling public interest, such as road safety and public health.
Legal age requirements are not seen as contradictory to the equal protection clause, as the government can demonstrate that these laws are intended to protect certain groups or the public at large. For example, the age requirement for obtaining a full driver's license is based on data showing that younger drivers are more at risk for accidents.