Home Car insurance Teens drivers State laws for teen drivers State laws for teen drivers Most states have driving restrictions on teen drivers for safety purposes. Read our guide to learn about state laws for young drivers. Written by: Erik Martin Erik Martin Erik J. Martin is a Chicago area-based freelance writer whose articles have been published by AARP The Magazine, The Motley Fool, The Costco Connection, USAA, US Chamber of Commerce, Bankrate, The Chicago Tribune, and other publications. He often writes on topics related to insurance, real estate, personal finance, business, technology, health care, and entertainment. Erik also hosts a podcast and publishes several blogs, including Martinspiration.com and Cineversegroup.com. | Reviewed by: Nupur Gambhir Nupur Gambhir Nupur Gambhir is a content editor and licensed life, health, and disability insurance expert. She has extensive experience bringing brands to life and has built award-nominated campaigns for travel and tech. Her insurance expertise has been featured in Bloomberg News, Forbes Advisor, CNET, Fortune, Slate, Real Simple, Lifehacker, The Financial Gym, and the end-of-life planning service. | Updated on February 29, 2024 Why you can trust Insure.com Quality Verified At Insure.com, we are committed to providing the timely, accurate and expert information consumers need to make smart insurance decisions. All our content is written and reviewed by industry professionals and insurance experts. Our team carefully vets our rate data to ensure we only provide reliable and up-to-date insurance pricing. We follow the highest editorial standards. Our content is based solely on objective research and data gathering. We maintain strict editorial independence to ensure unbiased coverage of the insurance industry. Young drivers who lack experience behind the wheel may drive more irresponsibly and are at greater risk of being involved in accidents. Fortunately, there are graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs in place designed to train young drivers and help them learn good driving habits. It’s important to understand graduated driver’s license rules, GDL laws and GDL restrictions, especially if you or a teenage loved one is preparing to drive soon for the first time. Key Takeaways State GDL laws put restrictions on the licenses of inexperienced drivers and then allow them more freedom as they gain experience with age. Young drivers are required to have a learner’s permit and hold it for an appropriate amount of time before applying for their licenses. After passing a road test, young drivers can get their state driver’s license, but there are restrictions they must follow for a time before earning the same rights as a more experienced driver. After gaining experience, young drivers can enjoy full driving privileges. They can drive at any time and they can have anyone in the car. Find driving age by state Select State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Select Learning Stage Learner stage Intermediate stage Full privilege 15 years, 6 mos. Minimum Driving Age What is graduated driver licensing? Graduated driver licensing rules enable new drivers to obtain experience on the road and adopt positive driving habits before they are allowed to drive with fewer restrictions. “The laws vary from state to state. But generally speaking, a GDL program will apply certain rules to a new driver, such as prohibiting the driver from driving alone, driving with other unlicensed passengers, or driving at night,” says Jobin Joseph, managing attorney for TrafficTickets.com in New York. “The idea is that as young new drivers gain more experience on the road, they graduate to the next level of licensing privileges, which will carry fewer restrictions than the previous level,” says Lyle Solomon, an attorney and financial expert with Oak View Law Group in Rocklin, California. Graduated driver licensing laws by state Adolescent drivers are involved in crashes three times more than drivers over the age of 20, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC has also reported that motor vehicle crashes account for the deaths of more teenagers than any other cause. “Hence, state governments have responded by restricting an adolescent’s ability to drive until they have more experience and are hopefully less likely to be involved in an accident,” says Joseph. Graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs allow teen drivers to gain driving experience before they get full driving privileges. Most programs include three stages: Learner stage The first GDL level is the learner stage, which includes getting a learner’s permit, driving with supervision and passing a driving test. Learner’s permits in most states mandate that the permit holder is of minimum age, only operates the vehicle in the presence of a fully licensed driver and earns a particular number of hours while driving under these rules to graduate to the next level of licensing. Here are the learner stage restrictions for each state: State Minimum age (years) Required holding period Minimum supervised driving hours Alaska156 months50 hours (none with driver education)Alabama146 months40 hours, 10 of which have to be at night or in inclement weatherArkansas15, 6 months6 months30 hours, 10 of which have to be at night (none with driver education)Arizona146 monthsnoneCalifornia15, 6 months6 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightColorado1512 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightConnecticut166 months (4 months with driver education)40 hoursWashington, D.C.166 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightDelaware166 months40 hours in the learner’s stage; 10 hours at night in the intermediate stageFlorida1512 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightGeorgia1512 months40 hours, 6 of which have to be at nightHawaii15, 6 months6 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightIowa14, 6 months6 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightIdaho159 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightIllinois156 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightIndiana1412 months20 hours, 2 of which have to be at nightKansas1412 months25 hours, in the learner phase; 25 hours before age 16; 10 of the 50 hours have to be at nightKentucky166 months60 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightLouisiana156 months50 hours, 15 of which have to be at nightMassachusetts156 months70 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightMaryland15, 9 months9 months60 hours, 10 of which have to be at night30Maine166 months40 hoursMichigan14, 9 months6 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightMinnesota156 months50 hours, 15 of which have to be at night, 40 if parent completes courseMissouri1512 monthsNoneMississippi156 months40 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightMontana14, 6 months6 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightNorth Carolina156 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at night (none with driver education)North Dakota15, 6 months6 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at night (none with a defensive driving course)Nebraska15, 6 monthsNone40 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightNew Hampshire166 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at night (effective 02/01/25)New Jersey156 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightNew Mexico166 months50 hours, 15 of which have to be at nightNevada159 months60 hours, 10 of which has to be at night, learner phase; 12 hours, 6 of which has to be at night, intermediate phaseNew York14<16: 12 months; 16: 6 months or until age 18, whichever comes first<16: 50 hours; ≥ 16: noneOhio15, 6 months6 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightOklahoma15, 6 months6 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightOregon156 months50 hours (100 hours without driver education)Pennsylvania166 months65 hours, 10 of which have to be at night and 5 of which have to be in inclement weatherRhode Island166 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightSouth Carolina156 months40 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightSouth Dakota149 months (6 months with driver education)50 hours, 10 of which have to be at night and 10 of which have to be during inclement weatherTennessee156 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightTexas156 months30 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightUtah156 months40 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightVirginia1512 months40 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightVermont15, 6 months9 months45 hours, 15 of which have to be at nightWashington156 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightWisconsin156 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at night (none with driver education)West Virginia156 months50 hours, 10 of which have to be at nightWyoming1510 days50 hours, 10 of which have to be at night Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) QuickTake A complete guide to adding a teenager to your car insurance policy in 2024 Passing down the family car? Ask these 7 questions Top reader questions about insurance for teen drivers Guide to car insurance for teens Insuring a teen driver in single-parent households The Best Car Insurance for Teens: Guide 7 signs your teenager shouldn't drive anymore Cheap car insurance for young drivers Can I drop my child from my car insurance? See more > Intermediate stage After you’ve logged sufficient time practicing on the road comes the intermediate GDL stage. Drivers in the intermediate stage are allowed to test for and get their state driver’s license but must drive with restrictions before having the same driving rights as more experienced drivers. “The specific rules imposed upon an intermediate license holder will vary from state to state,” Joseph says. “For example, in New Jersey, after completing a motor vehicle test and attaining a probationary driver’s license, the license holder will be permitted to drive unsupervised. But they will still be restricted to driving between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m., and the number of passengers allowed with an intermediate license remains restricted.” In other states, the rules will vary, but the principle is the same: Get new drivers the experience they need to learn safe driving while not putting others at risk by restricting their access to the road, explains Joseph. Here are the intermediate-stage rules that apply to each state: State Minimum entry age (years) Nighttime restrictions Passenger rules (family members allowed unless noted) Alaska16Midnight-6 a.m.No more than one passengerAlabama161 a.m.-5 a.m.No passengers younger than 21Arkansas16Midnight-5 a.m. secondary enforcementNo more than 1 passenger younger than 18 secondary enforcementArizona1611 p.m.-4 a.m.No more than 1 passenger younger than 21California1611 p.m.-5 a.m. secondary enforcementNo passengers younger than 20 (limited exception for immediate family) secondary enforcementColorado16Midnight-5 a.m. secondary enforcementFirst 6 months—no passengers; second 6 months—no more than one passenger secondary enforcementConnecticut16, 4 months11 p.m. – 5 a.m.First 6 months—no passengers other than parents or a driving instructor; second 6 months—no passengers other than parents, driving instructor or members of the immediate familyWashington, D.C.16, 6 months10 p.m.-6 a.m.No more than 1 passengerDelaware16, 6 monthsSeptember–June: 11 p.m.-6 a.m. Sun.–Thur., 12:01 a.m.-6 a.m. Sat.–Sun.; July–August: 12:01 a.m.-6 a.m.No passengersFlorida1611 p.m.-6 a.m. For 16-year-olds; 1 a.m.-5 a.m. For 17 year-oldsNoneGeorgia16Midnight-5 a.m. secondary enforcementFirst 6 months—no passengers; second 6 months—no more than 1 passenger younger than 21; thereafter, no more than 3 passengers secondary enforcementHawaii1611 p.m.-5 a.m.No more than 1 passenger younger than 18 (household members excepted)Iowa1510 p.m.-5 a.m.Licensees 16 and younger can have no more than 1 passenger younger than 17Idaho16Starts 10 p.m. Sun.-Thur., 11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., ends 6 a.m.First 12 months—no more than 1 passenger younger than 20Illinois16, 3 monthsFirst 6 months, 10 p.m.-5 a.m.; thereafter, 11 p.m.-5 a.m. Sun.–Fri.; 1 a.m.-5 a.m. Sat.–Sun.No passengersIndiana1612:30 a.m.-5 a.m.Parental discretionKansas169 p.m. – 5 a.m.No more than one passenger younger than 18Kentucky16, 6 monthsMidnight-6 a.m.No more than 1 passenger younger than 20 unless supervised by a driving instructor secondary enforcementLouisiana1611 p.m. – 5 a.m.No more than one passenger younger than 21 between the hours of 6 pm-5 am; no passenger restriction from 5 am-6 pmMassachusetts16Midnight-5 a.m.No passengersMaryland16, 6 monthsMidnight-5 a.m.No passengers younger than 18 secondary enforcementMaine16, 6 months12:30 a.m.-5 a.m. (between 12:30 a.m.-1 a.m. and 4 a.m.-5 a.m. The night driving and passenger restrictions are subject to secondary enforcement; enforcement is primary at all other times)No passengers younger than 18 (between 12:30 am–1 am and 4 am–5 am the night driving and passenger restrictions are secondarily enforced; enforcement is primary at all other times)Michigan1610 p.m.-5 a.m.No more than 1 passenger younger than 21Minnesota16Midnight-5 a.m.No more than 1 passenger younger than 20; second 6 months—no more than 3 passengers younger than 20Missouri1610 p.m.-6 a.m. Sun.-Thur., 11:30 p.m.-6 a.m. Fri.-Sat.NoneMississippi161 a.m.-5 a.m.First 6 months—no more than 1 passenger younger than 19; thereafter, no more than 3 passengers younger than 19Montana1511 p.m.-5 a.m.First 6 months—no more than 1 passenger younger than 18; second 6 months—no more than 3 passengers younger than 18North Carolina16Midnight-6 a.m. secondary enforcementNo more than 1 passenger younger than 19 secondary enforcementNorth Dakota1610 p.m.-5 a.m. secondary enforcementNo passengers younger than 18 secondary enforcementNebraska161 a.m.-4 a.m.No more than 1 passenger younger than 25New Hampshire1711 p.m. – 5 a.m.No more than 1 passenger (exception is limited to drivers’ dependents)New Jersey15, 6 monthsMidnight-5 a.m.No more than 1 passenger younger than 21New Mexico16, 6 months9 p.m.-5 a.m. Except for New York City (unsupervised driving prohibited at all times) and Long Island (limited daytime unsupervised driving)No more than 1 passenger younger than 21Nevada169 p.m.-5 a.m.No more than 1 passenger younger than 21New York16; 15 for a parent requested restricted licenseThe holder of a restricted license may only drive a car belonging to a parent or guardian and may not drive between the later of sunset or 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.NoneOhio16Midnight-6 a.m. (first 12 months), 1 a.m.-5 a.m. (second 12 months) secondary enforcementFirst 12 months—no more than 1 passengerOklahoma1610 p.m.-5 a.m.No more than 1 passengerOregon16Midnight-5 a.m.First 6 months–no passengers younger than 20; second 6 months–no more than 3 passengers younger than 20Pennsylvania16, 6 months11 p.m.-5 a.m.First 6 months— no more than 1 passenger younger than 18; thereafter, no more than 3 passengersRhode Island16, 6 months1 a.m.-5 a.m.No more than 1 passenger younger than 21South Carolina15, 6 months6 p.m.-6 a.m. EST; 8 p.m.-6 a.m. EDTNo more than 2 passengers younger than 21 unless transporting students to and from schoolSouth Dakota14, 9 months (14, 6 months with driver education)10 p.m.-6 a.m.First 6 months—no passengers; thereafter—no more than 1 passenger younger than 18Tennessee1611 p.m.-6 a.m.No more than 1 passengerTexas16Midnight-5 a.m. secondary enforcementNo more than 1 passenger younger than 21 secondary enforcementUtah16Midnight-5 a.m.No passengers secondary enforcementVirginia16NoneFirst 3 months—no passengers without exception; second 3 months—no passengers secondary enforcementVermont16, 3 monthsMidnight-4 a.m. secondary enforcementFirst 12 months—no more than 1 passenger younger than 21; thereafter, no more than 3 passengers younger than 21 secondary enforcementWashington161 a.m.-5 a.m. secondary enforcementFirst 6 months—no passengers younger than 20; second 6 months—no more than 3 passengers younger than 20 secondary enforcementWisconsin1610 p.m. – 5 a.m.First 6 months—no passengers younger than 20; second 6 months–no more than 1 passenger younger than 20West Virginia16Midnight-5 a.m.No more than 1 passengerWyoming1611 p.m.-5 a.m.No more than 1 passenger younger than 18 Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Full privilege After getting sufficient supervised driving experience behind the wheel and completing restricted driving periods, young drivers attain full driving privileges. In most states, at this stage, the driver is allowed to have anyone in the car and drive at any time. “Once drivers have completed the learner’s permit stage with a minimum number of hours logged and graduated to the intermediate stage with less supervision and a minimum number of months, they can apply for a full privilege driver’s license so long as they meet the minimum age requirement in their state,” says Lauren McKenzie, an insurance broker for Learnandserve.org, which is powered by A Plus Insurance. Here’s when each state allows full privileges: State When nighttime restrictions may be lifted (years) When passenger restrictions may be lifted (years) Alaska17 and licensed for 6 months (minimum age: 17)17 and licensed for 6 months (minimum age: 17)Alabama6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)Arkansas6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)Arizonauntil age 18 (minimum age: 18)until age 18 (minimum age: 18)California12 months after initial license (minimum age: 17)12 months after initial license (minimum age: 17)Colorado12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)Connecticutuntil age 18 (minimum age: 18)12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17, 4 months)Washington, D.C.6 months or the issuance of a class D license (minimum age: 17)6 months or the issuance of a class D license (minimum age: 17)Delaware6 months or until age 21, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 18)6 months or until age 21, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 18)10Floridauntil age 18 (minimum age: 18)noneGeorgiauntil age 18 (minimum age: 18)until age 18 (minimum age: 18)Hawaii6 months and age 17 (minimum age: 17)6 months and age 17 (minimum age: 17)Iowauntil age 16 (minimum age: 16)6 months or age 17 (minimum age: 15, 6 months)Idahountil age 18 (minimum age: 18)12 months or until age 18 (minimum age: 17)Illinois6 months and age 18 or until age 21, whichever occurs first (minimum age 18)186 months or until age 21, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 9 or 17, 3 months without driver education)Indiana12 months and age 17 or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)noneKansas6 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)6 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)Kentucky6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)Louisianauntil age 17 (minimum age: 17)until age 17 (minimum age: 17)Massachusetts9 months (minimum age: 16, 9 months)9 months (minimum age: 16, 9 months)Marylanduntil age 18 (minimum age: 18)5 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 11 months)Maineuntil age 18 (minimum age: 18)6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)Michigan6 months and age 17 or until age 18 (minimum age 17)6 months and age 17 or until age 18 (minimum age 17)Minnesota6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)12 months or at age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)Missouri6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)noneMississippientire intermediate stage (minimum age: 17, 11 mo.)entire intermediate stage (minimum age: 17, 11 mo.)Montana12 months or at age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16)12 months or at age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16)North Carolina12 months or at age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)North Dakotauntil age 18 (minimum age: 18)6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)Nebraskauntil age 18 (minimum age: 18)6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)New Hampshire12 months or until age 21, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 18)12 months or until age 21, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 18)New Jersey12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)New Mexicountil age 17 with driver education; until age 18 without (minimum age: 17)until age 17 with driver education; until age 18 without (minimum age: 17)Nevada6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)New Yorkuntil age 16 (minimum age: 16)noneOhio24 months (minimum age: 18)12 months (minimum age: 17)Oklahoma6 months with driver education, 12 months without or until age 18 (min age: 16, 6 months)6 months with driver education, 12 months without or until age 18 (min age: 16, 6 months)Oregon12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)Pennsylvania12 months and age 17 if completed driver education or age 18 (minimum age: 17)12 months and age 17 if completed driver education or age 18 (minimum age: 17)Rhode Island12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17, 6 months)12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17, 6 months)South Carolina12 months and age 17 if the intermediate license has been held for at least 6 months (minimum age: 16, 6 months)12 months and age 17 if the intermediate license has been held for at least 6 months (minimum age: 16, 6 months)South Dakotauntil age 16 (minimum age: 16)6 months or at age 16, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 15, 6 months)Tennessee12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)Texasuntil age 18 (minimum age: 18)until age 18 (minimum age: 18)Utahuntil age 17 (minimum age: 17)6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)Virginianone6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)Vermontuntil age 18 (minimum age: 18)until age 18 (minimum age: 18)Washington12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)77Wisconsin12 months and age 17 or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)12 months and age 17 or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 17)West Virginia9 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 9 months)9 months or until age 18, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 9 months)Wyoming6 months or until age 17, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months)816 months or until age 17, whichever occurs first (minimum age: 16, 6 months) Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Driving age by state for different learning stages The minimum age for entering the learner stage, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), ranges from 14-years-old in Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota, to 16-years-old in Connecticut, Delaware, D.C., Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “Teens in South Dakota can obtain an intermediate license as young as 14 and a half, provided that they take a driver education course. Otherwise, they need to wait until the minimum age of 14 years and 9 months,” says Joe Young, media relations director for the IIHS. At the other end of the spectrum, the minimum age for unsupervised, but not full privilege, driving in New Jersey is 17. “Some states require teens to wait until a set age for unrestricted driving, while others are based on time elapsed from the issuance of an intermediate license,” he says. What state allows the youngest drivers to drive? Teenagers in Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota can apply for learner stage licenses as young as 14 years old, per Young. You have to be at least 14 years and 6 months in Idaho and Montana and a minimum of 14 years and 9 months in Michigan. Why do some states have stricter teen driving laws than others? Truth is, all states have graduated driver licensing laws in place, although they vary. “The provisions typically require a three-stage licensing process that is designed to slowly expose new drivers to driving. GDL laws govern the ages at which new drivers can enter each stage,” Young says. Barry Goldberg, a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles, says several factors contribute to stricter teen driving laws in some states. “One is higher crash rates: States with historically high crash rates involving teen drivers often implement stricter laws to address the issue,” Goldberg says. “Another is lobbying efforts, as advocacy groups concerned about teen driver safety may push for stricter laws in certain states.” How old do you have to be to drive out of state? Most states require teen drivers to abide by the rules set by the licensing state, according to Young, and state licensing requirements do not usually place age restrictions on permit-holding or intermediate license-holding teens driving out of their licensing state. “Generally, most states allow out-of-state drivers with valid licenses to drive if they meet the minimum age requirement for their license class in their home state,” Goldberg says. “This minimum age typically ranges from 16 to 18 years old.” Can a 12-year-old drive? In most states, teen drivers are not legally allowed to drive at age 12. However, a few states, such as Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho and Michigan, let teenagers drive at the age of 14. In what states can you drive in at age 13? Currently, no state in the country allows you to drive at younger than 14 years of age. So if you are age 13, you will have to wait at least a year until you can apply for and receive your learner’s permit, depending on your state of residency. In what state can you drive at age 14? Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota are the only states that currently allow you to drive with a learner’s permit as young as age 14. Some of these states require you to wait six to nine months after your 14th birthday. In what state can you drive at age 15? Currently, you can drive at the age of 15 in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Be aware that some of these states mandate that you be a few months older than 15 years. What states allow 16-year-old drivers? In all other states – including Connecticut, Washington DC, Delaware, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island – you must be a minimum of 16 years old to begin driving with a learner’s permit. Are there any 17-year-old driving restrictions? Yes. Many states have Graduated Driver License (GDL) laws that restrict where and when a 17-year-old can drive. These laws typically require a new driver’s drive time to be limited to daytime hours, a passenger over a certain age to be present in the vehicle, passengers under a certain age shouldn’t be present in the vehicle, no cell phone use and limited to and from trips to work and school How old do you have to be to have a passenger in your car? When driving with a learner’s permit, you may be allowed to have passengers as long as an adult parent, legal guardian, or licensed trained professional present is in the passenger seat, depending on state laws. Most states have restrictions on passengers for the first six to 12 months after passing your road test. As you graduate to higher levels of driving, more passengers with fewer restrictions are allowed. Even after receiving your full privilege driver’s license, your state may still impose restrictions on who can ride with you and the age of those passengers. To learn more, contact your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Final thoughts: State laws for teen drivers State laws for teen drivers vary widely across the United States, but most states have implemented a graduated driver licensing (GDL) system. This system typically involves a series of stages that gradually increase driving privileges as the teen gains experience and demonstrates safe driving behaviors. GDL programs have been shown to reduce crash rates among teen drivers. In addition to GDL requirements, many states have restrictions on cell phone use, nighttime driving, and the number of passengers allowed in the car with a teen driver. It is important for teen drivers and their parents to be aware of these specific laws in their state and to follow them closely to ensure safe driving practices. Frequently asked questions Can a 16-year-old drive out of state? According to attorney Jobin Joseph, whether or not a teenage driver can drive to another state will depend on their home state’s rules that issued their license in the state they intend to go to. Some states allow drivers with valid learner’s permits from any other state to drive into their state. Other states prohibit drivers with learner’s permits from doing so. Joseph recommends contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state and the state you intend to drive into to determine what rules and restrictions apply. Can a 17-year-old drive out of state? This will depend on the rules of the state that issued your permit or license as well as the rules of the state you want to drive to, per attorney Jobin Joseph. He recommends contacting the Department of Motor Vehicles in both states to understand applicable laws. How many passengers can a 16-year-old driver have? While every state has its own set of rules regarding who can drive and how many passengers they are permitted, most states allow no more than one passenger if you are 16 or younger, according to attorney Jobin Joseph. It’s always best to check first with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles regarding passenger rules for young drivers. Can a 16-year-old drive out of state alone? The answer will depend on whether the 16-year-old is permitted to drive independently by the state that issued their license, according to Joe Young with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Some states, like New Jersey, do not issue independent/intermediate licenses to teens below age 17, so any independent driving by a 16-year-old would not be permitted in these states. How late in the day or night can a 16-year-old drive? Vermont is currently the only state without any nighttime restriction on drivers during the intermediate phase, per Joe Young with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Many states impose restrictions on nighttime driving for drivers in the intermediate stage that start between 10 p.m. and midnight. South Carolina has the strongest provision in this category, with restrictions starting at 6 p.m. EST and at 8 p.m. during daylight savings time. Know what our expert says Q: When can a teen apply for a full-privilege license? Lauren McKenzieInsurance broker/agent, A Plus Insurance “Once drivers have completed the learner’s permit stage with a minimum number of hours logged and graduated to the intermediate stage with less supervision and a minimum number of months, they can apply for a full-privilege driver’s license so long as they meet the minimum age requirement in their state.” Erik MartinContributing Researcher | . .Erik J. Martin is a Chicago area-based freelance writer whose articles have been published by AARP The Magazine, The Motley Fool, The Costco Connection, USAA, US Chamber of Commerce, Bankrate, The Chicago Tribune, and other publications. He often writes on topics related to insurance, real estate, personal finance, business, technology, health care, and entertainment. Erik also hosts a podcast and publishes several blogs, including Martinspiration.com and Cineversegroup.com. 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Part 1: How insurance companies spot bogus claims Insurance options for rideshare drivers 10 things that are illegal but shouldn’t be 1/1 On this page What is graduated driver licensing?Graduated driver licensing laws by stateLearner stageIntermediate stageFull privilegeDriving age by state for different learning stagesWhat state allows the youngest drivers to drive?Why do some states have stricter teen driving laws than others?How old do you have to be to drive out of state?Can a 12-year-old drive?In what states can you drive in at age 13?In what state can you drive at age 14?In what state can you drive at age 15?What states allow 16-year-old drivers?Are there any 17-year-old driving restrictions?How old do you have to be to have a passenger in your car?Final thoughts: State laws for teen driversFrequently asked questionsKnow what our expert says Get instant quotes now ! Please enter valid zip Get Quotes