Changes at the DMV add up to a whole lot more driving time for young people in New York. Starting February 22nd, teens will have to put in more hours to get their drivers license and once they do, keep passengers to a minimum. Our Kat De Maria explains the changes and the intent behind them.

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"Distractions are a huge part, peer pressure is a huge part of the young adult driving experience. So this law is trying to limit the number of passengers in a car with drivers who are 16 and 17 years old," said Irene Scruton, president of the Central New York chapter of the National Safety Council.

Changes to New York's driving laws limit that number to one passenger under 21, unless it's a relative or there's a parent or guardian also around. While the changes try to limit distractions, experts say, they also attempt to ramp up time behind the wheel.

People who get learners permits starting later this month will have to wait six months before they can schedule a road test. They'll also have to log 50 driving hours, at least 15 of those at night.

"The additional supervised time we hope will give young adults time during different traffic situations: heavy traffic/light traffic, city traffic/rural traffic and nighttime driving. We're hopeful they use the 50 hours during seasonal driving. So you get some winter driving, maybe some fall, spring driving," Scruton said.

People in New York aren't required to take driver education courses. But the programs offer the kind of driving experiences the new laws mandate. So at least one instructor says he's on board with the changes.

"We'd like to see it go even further: More mandatory driving lessons, more classes. But this is a good start. It's better than what it was," said Ron Tauro, an instructor at Branch's Driving School.

Tauro's students don't necessarily feel the same way.

"Personally, I think they're going to be really annoying because they limit a lot of our freedoms," said 16-year-old Kevin Fucillo.

Fucillo says he understands the purpose behind the changes, though: To keep him and other teens safe for pizza runs well into the future.

The changes to New York's driving laws do not apply to teens who get their learners permits before February 22nd.