Teen driving laws by state: GDL rules and license stages

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Most teens cannot get full driving privileges right away. States use graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws to phase in driving rights over time, starting with a supervised learner’s permit, moving to a restricted intermediate license, and ending with full privileges once enough experience is logged.

The specific rules, including minimum ages, supervised hour requirements, and nighttime or passenger restrictions, vary by state. For example, South Carolina has very strict laws regarding teens driving at night, while Vermont gives you a free pass. Make sure you check your state laws before hitting the road.

Key Takeaways

Graduated driver licensing (GDL) laws gradually lift restrictions as teens gain driving experience.
Teens must hold a learner’s permit for a set period before applying for a license.
After passing a road test, new drivers get a license, but restrictions on nighttime driving and passengers still apply.
Once teens build enough experience, they earn full driving privileges with no time or passenger restrictions.

How does a teen go from permit to full license?

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws are state programs that let new drivers build experience and good habits gradually, before they’re 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 Rosenblum Law.

These regulations are designed to gradually introduce young drivers to more challenging driving situations, helping them transition smoothly from novice to fully licensed driver.

“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.

GDL programs typically include three stages:

Learner’s permit: New drivers practice with supervision before driving independently.
Intermediate license: Drivers can drive alone, but with restrictions like nighttime driving limits or passenger caps.
Full license: Drivers gain full, unrestricted driving privileges.

Find driving age by state

Select state

Select learning stage

California

Minimum Driving Age

15 years, 6 mos.

What are the teen driving laws in each state?

Teen drivers ages 16 to 19 have a fatal crash rate almost three times as high as drivers 20 and older, per mile driven, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Motor vehicle crashes are also one of the leading causes of death among teenagers in the U.S.

“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,” Joseph says.

Graduated Driver Licensing programs allow teen drivers to gain experience before earning full driving privileges. Most programs include three stages.

A quick disclaimer

The information on this page is referenced from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and is for general guidance only. It may not reflect the most current laws in your state. Verify the details directly with your state’s DMV before relying on them for your specific situation.

Learner stage

The first GDL stage is the learner stage, which includes getting a learner’s permit, driving with supervision, and passing a driving test. Most states require permit holders to meet a minimum age, drive only with a fully licensed adult present, and log a set number of supervised hours before moving to the next stage.

Here are the learner stage restrictions for each state:

State	Minimum entry age	Mandatory holding period	Minimum supervised driving
Alabama	15	6 months	50 hours (none with driver education)
Alaska	14	6 months	40 hours, 10 of which must be at night or in inclement weather
Arizona	15, 6 months	6 months	30 hours, 10 of which must be at night (none with driver education)
Arkansas	14	6 months	none
California	15, 6 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Colorado	15	12 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Connecticut	16	6 months (4 months with driver education)	40 hours
Delaware	16	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Washington, D.C.	16	6 months	40 hours
Florida	15	12 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Georgia	15	12 months	40 hours, 6 of which must be at night
Hawaii	15, 6 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Idaho	14, 6 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Illinois	15	9 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Indiana	15	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Iowa	14	12 months	20 hours, 2 of which must be at night
Kansas	14	12 months	25 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Kentucky	15	6 months	60 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Louisiana	15	6 months	50 hours, 15 of which must be at night
Maine	15	6 months	70 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Maryland	15, 9 months	9 months	60 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Massachusetts	16	6 months	40 hours
Michigan	14, 9 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Minnesota	15	6 months	40 hours, 15 of which must be at night
Mississippi	15	12 months	none
Missouri	15	6 months	40 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Montana	14, 6 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Nebraska	15	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night (none with driver education)
Nevada	15, 6 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
New Hampshire	15, 6 months	none	40 hours, 10 of which must be at night
New Jersey	16	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
New Mexico	15	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
New York	16	6 months	50 hours, 15 of which must be at night
North Carolina	15	9 months	60 hours, 10 of which must be at night
North Dakota	14	12 months (under 16); 6 months or until 18 (16+)	50 hours (under 16); none (16+)
Ohio	15, 6 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Oklahoma	15	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Oregon	15	6 months	50 hours (100 hours without driver education)
Pennsylvania	16	6 months	65 hours, 10 of which must be at night and 5 in inclement weather
Rhode Island	16	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
South Carolina	15	6 months	40 hours, 10 of which must be at night
South Dakota	14	9 months (6 months with driver education)	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Tennessee	15	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Texas	15	6 months	30 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Utah	15	6 months	40 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Vermont	15	12 months	40 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Virginia	15, 6 months	9 months	45 hours, 15 of which must be at night
Washington	15	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
West Virginia	15	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Wisconsin	15	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Wyoming	15	10 days	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night

Intermediate stage

After logging enough supervised practice, drivers move into the intermediate stage. At this point, drivers can test for and earn a state driver’s license, but must follow restrictions before gaining 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 specific rules vary, but the goal stays the same: giving new drivers the experience they need while limiting risk to others on the road, Joseph says.

Here are the intermediate stage rules in each state:

State	Minimum entry age	Nighttime restrictions	Passenger restrictions
Alabama	16	Midnight to 6 a.m.	No more than one passenger
Alaska	16	1 a.m. to 5 a.m.	No passengers younger than 21
Arizona	16	Midnight to 5 a.m.	no more than 1 passenger younger than 18
Arkansas	16	11 p.m. to 4 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21
California	16	11 p.m. to 5 a.m.	No passengers younger than 20 (immediate family excepted)
Colorado	16	Midnight to 5 a.m.	First 6 months — no passengers; second 6 months — no more than 1 passenger
Connecticut	16, 4 months	11 p.m. to 5 a.m.	First 6 months — parents/instructor only; second 6 months — parents, instructor, or immediate family
Delaware	16, 6 months	10 p.m. to 6 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger
Washington, D.C.	16, 6 months	11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Sept to June, Sun to Thu) / varies by season	No passengers
Florida	16	11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (age 16); 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. (age 17)	None
Georgia	16	Midnight to 5 a.m.	First 6 months — no passengers; second 6 months — 1 max; thereafter — 3 max
Hawaii	16	11 p.m. to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 18
Idaho	15	10 p.m. to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 17 (for licensees 16 and younger)
Illinois	16	10 to 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. (varies by day)	First 12 months — no more than 1 passenger younger than 20
Indiana	16 (effective 7/1/26)	10 p.m. to 5 a.m. (first 6 months); 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. thereafter	No passengers
Iowa	16	12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.	Parental discretion
Kansas	16	9 p.m. to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 18
Kentucky	16	Midnight to 6 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 20
Louisiana	16	11 p.m. to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21 (6 p.m. to 5 a.m.)
Maine	16	Midnight to 5 a.m.	No passengers
Maryland	16, 6 months	Midnight to 5 a.m.	No passengers younger than 18
Massachusetts	16, 6 months	12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.	No passengers younger than 18
Michigan	16	10 p.m. to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21
Minnesota	16	Midnight to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 20; 3 max after 6 months
Mississippi	16	10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Sun to Thu); 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. (Fri to Sat)	None
Missouri	16	1 a.m. to 5 a.m.	First 6 months — 1 max younger than 19; thereafter — 3 max
Montana	15	11 p.m. to 5 a.m.	First 6 months — 1 max younger than 18; second 6 months — 3 max
Nebraska	16	Midnight to 6 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 19
Nevada	16	10 p.m. to 5 a.m.	No passengers younger than 18
New Hampshire	16	1 a.m. to 4 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 25
New Jersey	17	11 p.m. to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger (dependents excepted)
New Mexico	15, 6 months	Midnight to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21
New York	16, 6 months	9 p.m. to 5 a.m. (varies in NYC/Long Island)	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21
North Carolina	16	9 p.m. to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21
North Dakota	16 (15 with parent to requested restricted license)	After sunset/9 p.m. to 5 a.m.	None
Ohio	16	Midnight to 6 a.m. (first 12 months); 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. thereafter	First 12 months — no more than 1 passenger
Oklahoma	16	10 p.m. to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger
Oregon	16	Midnight to 5 a.m.	First 6 months — no passengers younger than 20; second 6 months — 3 max
Pennsylvania	16, 6 months	11 p.m. to 5 a.m.	First 6 months — 1 max younger than 18; thereafter — 3 max
Rhode Island	16, 6 months	1 a.m. to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21
South Carolina	15, 6 months	6 p.m. to 6 a.m. (EST)	No more than 2 passengers younger than 21 (school transport excepted)
South Dakota	14, 9 months (6 months with driver ed)	10 p.m. to 6 a.m.	First 6 months — no passengers; thereafter — 1 max younger than 18
Tennessee	16	11 p.m. to 6 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger
Texas	16	Midnight to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21
Utah	16	Midnight to 5 a.m.	No passengers
Vermont	16	none	First 3 months — no passengers; second 3 months — no passengers
Virginia	16, 3 months	Midnight to 4 a.m.	First 12 months — 1 max younger than 21; thereafter — 3 max
Washington	16	1 a.m. to 5 a.m.	First 6 months — no passengers younger than 20; second 6 months — 3 max
West Virginia	16	10 p.m. to 5 a.m.	First 6 months — no passengers younger than 20; second 6 months — 1 max
Wisconsin	16	Midnight to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger
Wyoming	16	11 p.m. to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 18

Full privilege

After gaining sufficient supervised driving experience and completing restricted driving periods, young drivers attain full driving privileges. In most states, at this stage, the driver may 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 agent for A Plus Insurance.

Here’s when each state allows full privileges:

State	Nighttime restrictions may be lifted	Passenger restrictions may be lifted
Alabama	Age 17 and licensed for 6 months (min. age: 17)	Age 17 and licensed for 6 months (min. age: 17)
Alaska	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)
Arizona	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)
Arkansas	Age 18	Age 18
California	Licensed for 12 months (min. age: 17)	Licensed for 12 months (min. age: 17)
Colorado	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)
Connecticut	Age 18	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17, 4 months)
Delaware	Licensed for 6 months (min. age: 17)	Licensed for 6 months (min. age: 17)
Washington, D.C.	Licensed for 6 months or age 21, whichever occurs first (min. age: 18)	Licensed for 6 months or age 21, whichever occurs first (min. age: 18)
Florida	Age 18	None
Georgia	Age 18	Age 18
Hawaii	Licensed for 6 months and age 17 (min. age: 17)	Licensed for 6 months and age 17 (min. age: 17)
Idaho	Age 16	Licensed for 6 months or age 17 (min. age: 15, 6 months)
Illinois	Age 18	Licensed for 12 months or age 18 (min. age: 17)
Indiana	Licensed for 6 months or age 21, whichever occurs first (min. age 18)	Licensed for 6 months or age 21, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months, or 17, 3 months without driver education)
Iowa	Licensed for 12 months and age 17 or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)	None
Kansas	Licensed for 6 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)	Licensed for 6 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)
Kentucky	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)
Louisiana	Age 17	Age 17
Maine	Licensed for 9 months (min. age: 16, 9 months)	Licensed for 9 months (min. age: 16, 9 months)
Maryland	Age 18	Licensed for 5 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 11 months)
Massachusetts	Age 18	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)
Michigan	Licensed for 6 months and age 17, or age 18 (min. age 17)	Licensed for 6 months and age 17, or age 18 (min. age 17)
Minnesota	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)
Mississippi	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)	None
Missouri	Age 18	Age 18
Montana	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16)	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16)
Nebraska	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)
Nevada	Age 18	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)
New Hampshire	Age 18	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)
New Jersey	Licensed for 12 months or age 21, whichever occurs first (min. age: 18)	Licensed for 12 months or age 21, whichever occurs first (min. age: 18)
New Mexico	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)
New York	Age 17 with driver education; age 18 without (min. age: 17)	Age 17 with driver education; age 18 without (min. age: 17)
North Carolina	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)
North Dakota	Age 16	None
Ohio	Licensed for 24 months (min. age: 18)	Licensed for 12 months (min. age: 17)
Oklahoma	Licensed for 6 months with driver education, or 12 months without, or age 18 (min. age: 16, 6 months)	Licensed for 6 months with driver education, 12 months without, or age 18 (min. age: 16, 6 months)
Oregon	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)
Pennsylvania	Licensed for 12 months and age 17 with driver education, or age 18 (min. age: 17)	Licensed for 12 months and age 17 with driver education, or age 18 (min. age: 17)
Rhode Island	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17, 6 months)	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17, 6 months)
South Carolina	Licensed for 12 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)	Licensed for 12 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)
South Dakota	Age 16	Licensed for 6 months or age 16, whichever occurs first (min. age: 15, 6 months)
Tennessee	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)
Texas	Age 18	Age 18
Utah	Age 17	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)
Vermont	None	Licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)
Virginia	Age 18	Age 18
Washington	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)	Licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)
West Virginia	Licensed for 12 months and age 17, or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)	Licensed for 12 months and age 17, or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17)
Wisconsin	Licensed for 9 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 9 months)	Licensed for 9 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 9 months)
Wyoming	Licensed for 6 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)	Licensed for 6 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 months)

How do teen driving laws differ from state to state?

Teen driving laws vary widely depending on where you live, especially when it comes to the minimum age for each licensing stage. The learner stage has the widest range: teens can start as young as 14 in Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota, while several states, including Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts, require teens to wait until 16.

The intermediate stage shows a similar spread. South Dakota allows teens to reach this stage as early as 14 years and 9 months (or 14 years and 6 months with driver education), the youngest in the country, according to Joe Young, media relations director for the IIHS. New Jersey sits at the opposite end, requiring teens to be 17 before reaching the intermediate stage.

States also differ in how they structure the path to full driving privileges. Some set a fixed age requirement, while others base it on how long a teen has held an intermediate license, according to Young.

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Why do some states have stricter teen driving laws than others?

States have different teen driving laws because crash rates, advocacy efforts, and local priorities vary, even though all states follow the same basic Graduated Driver Licensing structure.

“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 at Goldberg Injury Lawyers, 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.”

Most GDL programs share a few common rules for new drivers:

Driving is allowed only under the supervision of a licensed adult
Nighttime driving restrictions often apply
No use of mobile phones or other handheld devices while driving

Why teen driving laws matter

Reduce crashes. Graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs lower crash rates by gradually introducing teens to more challenging driving situations.
Build experience safely. Restrictions on nighttime driving and passengers help new drivers gain confidence without unnecessary risk.
Reinforce safe habits. Rules encourage behaviors like avoiding distractions, wearing seat belts, and never driving under the influence.
Require parental supervision. Supervised practice helps teens develop good habits before driving independently.
Match skills to responsibility. GDL laws are designed around teens’ developing judgment, helping them become safer drivers over time.

How can parents help teens become safe drivers?

Parents can help teens become safe drivers by leading by example, providing structured practice, setting clear rules, and enrolling them in a certified driver’s education program. Staying patient and supportive throughout the process also helps teens build confidence at a comfortable pace.

A few ways parents can support the process:

Lead by example: Demonstrate good driving habits, like obeying speed limits, using turn signals, and avoiding distractions like texting.
Provide structured practice: Give your teen plenty of supervised driving experience in different conditions, gradually introducing new environments like highways and nighttime driving.
Set clear rules: Establish expectations around phone use, passenger limits, and nighttime driving, along with clear consequences for breaking them.
Educate them on the risks: Talk openly about the dangers of impaired and distracted driving, and emphasize the importance of wearing a seat belt.
Enroll them in driver’s education: A good course can teach new drivers better techniques and how to anticipate other drivers’ actions.

How to choose a driver’s education program

Look for a program certified by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent authority. State certification ensures the program meets minimum requirements for curriculum and instructor qualifications.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum driving age in Kentucky?

The minimum driving age in Kentucky is 16-years-old.

What states allow 14-year-old drivers?

No states allow you to drive at younger than 14 years of age. However, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota 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.

What states allow 15-year-old drivers?

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 D.C., 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 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 not to be present in the vehicle, no cell phone use, and limited trips to and from work and school.

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 saving time.

Sources

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Graduated licensing laws.” Accessed July 2026.

Governors Highway Safety Association. “Teen and Novice Drivers.” Accessed July 2026.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Teen Driving.” Accessed July 2026.

Alisha Ambre

Alisha Ambre holds a Bachelor of Arts with honours in English Literature and Media Studies. She focuses on crafting clear, engaging content that makes complex information feel practical and approachable for everyday readers. When she’s not writing, she’s likely on the volleyball court or immersed in a good video game.

On this page

How does a teen go from permit to full license?
What are the teen driving laws in each state?
How do teen driving laws differ from state to state?
Why do some states have stricter teen driving laws than others?
How can parents help teens become safe drivers?
Frequently asked questions

State laws for teen drivers