State laws for teen drivers

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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.

GDL programs are crucial for ensuring the safety and development of young drivers. These programs introduce driving responsibilities in phases, allowing new drivers to gain essential experience under less risky conditions before earning full driving privileges.

By gradually exposing teens to more complex driving situations, such as driving at night or with multiple passengers, GDL programs help reduce the likelihood of accidents caused by inexperience. Additionally, they reinforce critical safety habits, like avoiding distractions and not driving under the influence.

Ultimately, GDL programs play a vital role in reducing traffic fatalities and injuries among young drivers, creating safer roads for everyone.

However, teen driving laws aren’t uniform nationwide. Each state has its own laws for teen drivers, such as when they can start driving. Read on to learn more about teen driving laws in your state.

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

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Select learning stage

Minimum Driving Age

15 years, 6 mos.

What are Graduated Driver Licensing rules?

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 Rosenblum Law.

These regulations are designed to gradually introduce young drivers to more challenging driving situations. By gradually easing these restrictions, the GDL program helps young drivers transition smoothly from novice to fully licensed drivers.

“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, or the CDC. 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,” Joseph says.

Graduated Driver Licensing programs allow teen drivers to gain driving experience before they get full driving privileges. Most programs include the following 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 entry age	Mandatory holding period	Minimum amount of supervised driving
Alabama	15 years	6 months	50 hours (None with driver education)
Alaska	14 years	6 months	40 hours, 10 of which must be at night or in inclement weather
Arizona	15 years, 6 months	6 months	30 hours, 10 of which must be at night (None with driver education)
Arkansas	14 years	6 months	None
California	15 years, 6 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Colorado	15 years	12 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Connecticut	16 years	6 months (4 months with driver education)	40 hours
District of Colombia	16 years	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Delaware	16 years	6 months	40 hours in learner’s stage; 10 hours at night in intermediate stage
Florida	15 years	12 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Georgia	15 years	12 months	40 hours, 6 of which must be at night
Hawaii	15 years, 6 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Idaho	14 years, 6 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
IlliNois	15 years	9 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Indiana	15 years	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Iowa	14 years	12 months	20 hours, 2 of which must be at night
Kansas	14 years	12 months	25 hours, in learner phase; 25 hours before age 16; 10 of the 50 hours must be at night
Kentucky	16 years	6 months	60 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Louisiana	15 years	6 months	50 hours, 15 of which must be at night
Maine	15 years	6 months	70 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Maryland	15 years, 9 months	9 months	60 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Massachusetts	16 years	6 months	40 hoursFootNote33
Michigan	14 years, 9 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Minnesota	15 years	6 months	40 hours, 15 of which must be at night
Mississippi	15 years	12 months	None
Missouri	15 years	6 months	40 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Montana	14 years, 6 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Nebraska	15 years	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night (None with driver education)
Nevada	15 years, 6 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night (None with defensive driving course)
New Hampshire	15 years, 6 months	None	40 hours, 10 of which must be at night
New Jersey	16 years	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night (effective 02/01/25)
New Mexico	15 years	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
New York	16 years	6 months	50 hours, 15 of which must be at night
North Carolina	15 years	9 months	60 hours, 10 of which must be at night, learner phase; 12 hours, 6 of which must be at night, intermediate phase
North Dakota	14 years	<16: 12 months; 16: 6 months or until age 18, whichever comes First	<16: 50 hours; ≥ 16: None
Ohio	15 years, 6 months	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Oklahoma	15 years	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Oregon	15 years	6 months	50 hoursFootNote62(100 hours without driver education)
Pennsylvania	16 years	6 months	65 hours, 10 of which must be at night and 5 of which must be in inclement weather
Rhone Island	16 years	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
South Carolina	15 years	6 months	40 hours, 10 of which must be at night
South Dakota	14 years	9 months (6 months with driver education)	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night and 10 of which must be during inclement weather
Tennessee	15 years	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Texas	15 years	6 months	30 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Utah	15 years	6 months	40 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Vermont	15 years	12 months	40 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Virginia	15 years, 6 months	9 months	45 hours, 15 of which must be at night
Washington	15 years	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
West Virginia	15 years	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night (None with driver education)
Wisconsin	15 years	6 months	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night
Wyoming	15 years	10 days	50 hours, 10 of which must be at night

Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

Intermediate stage

After you’ve logged sufficient time practicing on the road comes the intermediate 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, Joseph says.

Here are the intermediate-stage rules in each state:

State	Minimum entry age	Nighttime restrictions	Passenger restrictions (family members excepted unless Noted)
Alabama	16 years	Midnight-6 a.m.	No more than one passenger
Alaska	16 years	1 a.m.-5 a.m.	No passengers younger than 21
Arizona	16 years	Midnight-5 a.m. secondary enforcement	No more than 1 passenger younger than 18; secondary enforcement
Arkansas	16 years	11 p.m.-4 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21
California	16 years	11 p.m.-5 a.m. secondary enforcement	No passengers younger than 20 (limited exception for immediate family); secondary enforcement
Colorado	16 years	Midnight-5 a.m. secondary enforcement	First 6 months—No passengers; second 6 months—No more than one passenger; secondary enforcement
Connecticut	16 years, 4 months	11 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 family
District of Colombia	16 years, 6 months	10 p.m.-6 a.m.FootNote8	No more than 1 passenger
Delaware	16 years, 6 months	September–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 passengers
Florida	16 years	11 p.m.-6 a.m. for 16 year-olds; 1 a.m.-5 a.m. for 17 year-olds	None
Georgia	16 years	Midnight-5 a.m. secondary enforcement	First 6 months—No passengers; second 6 months—No more than 1 passenger younger than 21; thereafter, No more than 3 passengers; secondary enforcement
Hawaii	16 years	11 p.m.-5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 18 (household members excepted)
Idaho	15 years	10 p.m.-5 a.m.	licensees 16 and younger can have No more than 1 passenger younger than 17
IlliNois	16 years	Starts 10 p.m. Sun.-Thur., 11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., ends 6 a.m.	First 12 months—No more than 1 passenger younger than 20
Indiana	16 years, 3 months	First 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 passengers
Iowa	16 years	12:30 a.m.-5 a.m.	Parental discretion
Kansas	16 years	9 p.m. – 5 a.m.	No more than one passenger younger than 18
Kentucky	16 years, 6 months	Midnight-6 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 20 unless supervised by a driving instructor; secondary enforcement
Louisiana	16 years	11 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 pm
Maine	16 years	Midnight-5 a.m.	No passengers
Maryland	16 years, 6 months	Midnight-5 a.m	No passengers younger than 18; secondary enforcement
Massachusetts	16 years, 6 months	12:30 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)
Michigan	16 years	10 p.m.-5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21
Minnesota	16 years	Midnight-5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 20; second 6 months—No more than 3 passengers younger than 20
Mississippi	16 years	10 p.m.-6 a.m. Sun.-Thur., 11:30 p.m.-6 a.m. Fri.-Sat.	None
Missouri	16 years	1 a.m.-5 a.m.	First 6 months—No more than 1 passenger younger than 19; thereafter, No more than 3 passengers younger than 19
Montana	15 years	11 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 18
Nebraska	16 years	Midnight-6 a.m. secondary enforcement	No more than 1 passenger younger than 19; secondary enforcement
Nevada	16 years	10 p.m.-5 a.m. secondary enforcement	No passengers younger than 18; secondary enforcement
New Hampshire	16 years	1 a.m.-4 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 25
New Jersey	17 years	11 p.m. – 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger (exception is limited to drivers’ dependents)
New Mexico	15 years, 6 months	Midnight-5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21
New York	16 years, 6 months	9 p.m.-5 a.m. except for NYC (unsupervised driving prohibited at all times) and Long Island (limited daytime unsupervised driving)	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21
North Carolina	16 years	9 p.m.-5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21
North Dakota	16 years; 15 years for a parent requested restricted license	The 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.	None
Ohio	16 years	Midnight-6 a.m. (First 12 months), 1 a.m.-5 a.m. (second 12 months) secondary enforcement	First 12 months—No more than 1 passenger
Oklahoma	16 years	10 p.m.-5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger
Oregon	16 years	Midnight-5 a.m.	First 6 months–No passengers younger than 20; second 6 months–No more than 3 passengers younger than 20
Pennsylvania	16 years, 6 months	11 p.m.-5 a.m.	First 6 months— No more than 1 passenger younger than 18; thereafter, No more than 3 passengers
Rhone Island	16 years, 6 months	1 a.m.-5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21
South Carolina	15 years, 6 months	6 p.m.-6 a.m. EST; 8 p.m.-6 a.m. EDT	No more than 2 passengers younger than 21 unless transporting students to and from school
South Dakota	14 years, 9 months (14 years, 6 months with driver education)	10 p.m.-6 a.m.	First 6 months—No passengers; thereafter—No more than 1 passenger younger than 18
Tennessee	16 years	11 p.m.-6 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger
Texas	16 years	Midnight-5 a.m. secondary enforcement	No more than 1 passenger younger than 21; secondary enforcement
Utah	16 years	Midnight-5 a.m.	No passengers; secondary enforcement
Vermont	16 years	None	First 3 months—No passengers without exception; second 3 months—No passengers; secondary enforcement
Virginia	16 years, 3 months	Midnight-4 a.m. FootNote74 secondary enforcement	First 12 months—No more than 1 passenger younger than 21; thereafter, No more than 3 passengers younger than 21; secondary enforcement
Washington	16 years	1 a.m.-5 a.m. secondary enforcement	First 6 months—No passengers younger than 20; second 6 months—No more than 3 passengers younger than 20; secondary enforcement
West Virginia	16 years	10 p.m. – 5 a.m.	First 6 months—No passengers younger than 20; second 6 months–No more than 1 passenger younger than 20
Wisconsin	16 years	Midnight-5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger
Wyoming	16 years	11 p.m.-5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger younger than 18

Source: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)

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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 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	17 and licensed for 6 months (min. age: 17)	17 and licensed for 6 months (min. age: 17)
Alaska	6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)	6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)
Arizona	6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)	6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)
Arkansas	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)
California	12 months after initial license (min. age: 17)	12 months after initial license (min. age: 17)
Colorado	12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)	12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)
Connecticut	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)	12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17, 4 mos.)
District of Colombia	6 months or the issuance of a class D license (min. age: 17)	6 months or the issuance of a class D license (min. age: 17)
Delaware	6 months or until age 21, whichever occurs First (min. age: 18)FootNote10	6 months or until age 21, whichever occurs First (min. age: 18)FootNote10
Florida	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)	None
Georgia	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)
Hawaii	6 months and age 17 (min. age: 17)	6 months and age 17 (min. age: 17)
Idaho	Until age 16 (min. age: 16)	6 months or age 17 (min. age: 15, 6 mos.)
Illinois	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)	12 months or until age 18 (min. age: 17)
Indiana	6 months and age 18 or until age 21, whichever occurs First (min. age 18)FootNote18	6 months or until age 21, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 9 or 17, 3 mos. without driver education)FootNote18
Iowa	12 months and age 17 or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)	None
Kansas	6 months or age 17, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)	6 months or age 17, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)
Kentucky	6 months or age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)	6 months or age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)
Louisiana	Until age 17 (min. age: 17)	Until age 17 (min. age: 17)
Maine	9 months (min. age: 16, 9 mos.)FootNote27	9 months (min. age: 16, 9 mos.)FootNote27
Maryland	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)	5 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 11 mos.)
Massachusetts	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)	6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)
Michigan	6 months and age 17 or until age 18 (min. age 17)	6 months and age 17 or until age 18 (min. age 17)
Minnesota	6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)	12 months or at age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)
Mississippi	6 months or age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)	None
Missouri	entire intermediate stage (min. age: 17, 11 mo.)	Entire intermediate stage (min. age: 17, 11 mo.)
Montana	12 months or at age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16)	12 months or at age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16)
Nebraska	12 months or at age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)	6 months or age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)
Nevada	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)	6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)
New Hampshire	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)	6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)
New Jersey	12 months or until age 21, whichever occurs First (min. age: 18)	12 months or until age 21, whichever occurs First (min. age: 18)
New Mexico	12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)	12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)
New York	Until age 17 with driver education; until age 18 without (min. age: 17)FootNote52	Until age 17 with driver education; until age 18 without (min. age: 17)FootNote52
North Carolina	6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)	6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)
North Dakota	Until age 16 (min. age: 16)	None
Ohio	24 months (min. age: 18)	12 months (min. age: 17)
Oklahoma	6 months with driver education, 12 months without or until age 18 (min age: 16, 6 mos.)	6 months with driver education, 12 months without or until age 18 (min age: 16, 6 mos.)
Oregon	12 months or age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)	12 months or age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)
Pennsylvania	12 months and age 17 if completed driver education or age 18 (min. age: 17)	12 months and age 17 if completed driver education or age 18 (min. age: 17)
Rhone Island	12 months or age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17, 6 mos.)	12 months or age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17, 6 mos.)
South Carolina	12 months and age 17 if intermediate license has been held for at least 6 months (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)	12 months and age 17 if intermediate license has been held for at least 6 months (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)
South Dakota	Until age 16 (min. age: 16)	6 months or at age 16, whichever occurs First (min. age: 15, 6 mos.)
Tennessee	12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)	12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)
Texas	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)
Utah	Until age 17 (min. age: 17)	6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)
Vermont	None	6 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)
Virginia	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)	Until age 18 (min. age: 18)
Washington	12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)	12 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)FootNote78
West Virginia	12 months and age 17 or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)	12 months and age 17 or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 17)
Wisconsin	9 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 9 mos.)	9 months or until age 18, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 9 mos.)
Wyoming	6 months or until age 17, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)FootNote82	6 months or until age 17, whichever occurs First (min. age: 16, 6 mos.)FootNote82

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 many other states.

“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, Young says. 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 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.”

GDL program 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

How old do you have to be to drive out of state?

Young says that most states require teen drivers to abide by the rules set by the licensing state. Additionally, 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.

How old do you have to be to have passengers 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. Your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles can answer any questions about how many passengers you can have in your car.

Legal and financial consequences of driving violations for teens

Most states implement GDL programs that impose restrictions on teen drivers, such as nighttime driving curfews and passenger limits. Violating these restrictions can lead to immediate penalties.

Underage drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced. Teens caught driving under the influence face immediate license suspension, hefty fines and potential jail time. Many states have zero-tolerance laws, meaning any detectable alcohol can result in penalties. Driving under the influence can also significantly impact a teen’s academic opportunities, including eligibility for school programs, college admissions and scholarship awards.

A driving infraction will also result in increased insurance costs, imposing a long-term financial strain on teens and their parents.

How can parents help their teens become safe and responsible drivers?

Parents play a crucial role in helping their teens become safe and responsible drivers. Here are some ways they can support their teens:

Lead by example: Demonstrate good driving habits such as obeying speed limits, using turn signals and avoiding distractions like texting.

Structured practice: Provide plenty of supervised driving practice in various conditions. Gradually introduce new driving environments, such as driving on highways and at night.

Set clear rules and expectations: Set clear rules about not using phones while driving, limiting the number of passengers, avoiding nighttime driving and outlining the consequences for breaking these rules.

Educate about the dangers: Discuss the risks associated with driving, including the dangers of impaired and distracted driving. Emphasize the importance of wearing seat belts.

Enroll your child in a driver’s education course: The course can provide new drivers with better driving techniques and an understanding of how to anticipate and react to other drivers’ actions.

Learning to drive can be stressful. Being supportive and patient helps build their confidence and ensures they learn the necessary skills at a comfortable pace.

How to choose a driver’s education program

Ensure that the driver’s education program is certified by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent authority. State certification guarantees that the program meets the minimum requirements for curriculum and instructor qualifications.

If possible, visit the driving school to check the condition of their vehicles, classrooms and other facilities. Well-maintained cars and modern teaching aids can contribute to a better learning experience.

Why teen driving laws exist

Teen driving laws, often part of Graduated Driver Licensing programs, are crucial because they help manage the risks associated with new drivers on the road. Here’s why these laws are important:

Decrease in crash rates: Statistics show that teen drivers are more likely to be involved in car accidents than any other age group. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motor vehicle crashes claimed the lives of 2,883 teenagers ages 13 to 19 in 2022. GDL programs have been shown to reduce crash rates among teenagers by introducing driving privileges in phases.

Enhance experience gradually: Teen driving laws typically restrict high-risk driving situations, such as night driving and carrying teenage passengers, until the driver gains more experience. This phased approach gradually allows teens to build their driving skills.

Promote safe driving habits: These laws encourage safe driving by setting clear rules and consequences. For example, many states have zero tolerance for alcohol for teen drivers, which reinforces the importance of not drinking and driving.

Encourage parental involvement: GDL programs often require parental supervision during the initial stages of driving. This involvement can reinforce good driving habits and ensure compliance with driving restrictions.

Tailored to teen development: Teen driving laws take into account teenagers’ cognitive and developmental stages. Young drivers may not always anticipate the consequences of risky behavior and these laws help guide them toward good decision-making.

-Shivani Gite contributed to this story.

Frequently asked questions

What states allow 12-year-old and 13-year-old drivers?

Currently, no state in the country allows you to drive at younger than 14 years of age.

What states allow 14-year-old drivers?

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.

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 shouldn’t 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 savings time.

Sources

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “Graduated licensing laws.” Accessed August 2024.

Governors Highway Safety Association. “Teen and Novice Drivers.” Accessed August 2024.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. “Teen Driving.” Accessed August 2024.

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 Martin

Contributing 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.

On this page

What are Graduated Driver Licensing rules?
Graduated Driver Licensing laws by state
Intermediate stage
Full privilege
Driving age by state for different learning stages
What 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?
Legal and financial consequences of driving violations for teens
How can parents help their teens become safe and responsible drivers?
Frequently asked questions
What our expert says

State laws for teen drivers

Find driving age by state

What are Graduated Driver Licensing rules?

Graduated Driver Licensing laws by state

Learner stage

Intermediate stage

QuickTake

Full privilege

Driving age by state for different learning stages

What 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?

How old do you have to be to have passengers in your car?

Legal and financial consequences of driving violations for teens

How can parents help their teens become safe and responsible drivers?

Why teen driving laws exist

Frequently asked questions

What states allow 12-year-old and 13-year-old drivers?

What states allow 14-year-old drivers?

What states allow 15-year-old drivers?

What states allow 16-year-old drivers?

Are there any 17-year-old driving restrictions?

Can a 16-year-old drive out of state?

Can a 17-year-old drive out of state?

How many passengers can a 16-year-old driver have?

Can a 16-year-old drive out of state alone?

How late in the day or night can a 16-year-old drive?

What our expert says

Q: When can a teen apply for a full-privilege license?

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