How Old Do You Have to Be to Drive in Each State?

In most states, you can get a learner’s permit at 15 and a half, your driver’s license at 16, and a restriction-free license by 18 years old.

Tanveen Vohra
Written byTanveen Vohra
Tanveen Vohra
Tanveen VohraManager of Content and Communications
  • Property and casualty insurance specialist

  • 4+ years creating insurance content

Tanveen manages Insurify's data insights, annual home and auto insurance reports, and media communications. She’s regularly featured in media interviews on insurance topics.

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Evelyn Pimplaskar
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
  • 10+ years in insurance and personal finance content

  • 30+ years in media, PR, and content creation

Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.

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Driving can be an exciting milestone for new drivers — one that people can reach at different times depending on where they live. U.S. states set their own laws for how old you must be to get a learner’s permit, but the minimum age is 14 to 16 years old. To get a license, minimum age requirements vary from 14 and a half to 17 years old.

As a parent or teen driver, you should know your state’s age limits for different licensing levels. Here’s the legal driving age for each state, restrictions to know, and tips for insuring a teen driver.

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Driving age by state

In the U.S., each state sets and enforces different regulations regarding how old you must be to get a learner’s permit and a full driver’s license. A teenager can typically obtain a driver’s license at 16 years of age and drive unrestricted at age 18, but some states have less stringent driving restrictions for teens.

If your teen has a learner’s permit or provisional license, you should be aware of potential driving restrictions like a nighttime curfew and passenger limits. These restraints will no longer apply once your teen has obtained their license.

Here’s a look at the minimum age to get a learner’s permit in every state:

Besides age limits for learner’s permits, states also have minimum age requirements for provisional driver’s licenses and restrictions on when teens can drive and with whom. The following table breaks down licensing rules in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

State
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Learner’s Permit Minimum Age
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Driver’s License Minimum Age
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Nighttime Restrictions
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Passenger Limits
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When Restrictions End
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Alabama1516Midnight to 6 a.m. (with some exceptions)1 passenger (other than parents, legal guardians, or family members)17 and license held for six months
Alaska14, and must hold permit for six months161–5 a.m. (unless to or from a job)No passengers younger than 21, unless they’re siblings or a parent/guardian is also in the car18 or license held for six months, whichever comes first
Arizona15 and a half16Midnight to 5 a.m. (with some exceptions)No more than 1 passenger under 18 (unless passengers are driver’s siblings, or a parent or legal guardian is in the front passenger’s seat)18 or after six months with a graduated license and clean driving record
Arkansas141611 p.m.–5 a.m. (with some exceptions)No passengers under 18 (unless a licensed driver, 21 or older, rides in the front passenger seat)18
California15 and a half1611 p.m.–5 a.m. (with some exceptions)No passengers younger than 20 (limited exceptions)12 months after license
Colorado15 and a half16Midnight to 5 a.m. (unless with a parent or legal guardian)No passengers under 21 (unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 21) during first six monthsAge 18 or 12 months after licensing, whichever comes first
Connecticut161611 p.m.–5 a.m. (exceptions for travel to job, school, religious activity, or medical necessity)No passengers under 20 for first six months; only immediate family members in the second six monthsAge 18, or 12 months after licensing
Delaware1617May only drive 6 a.m.–10 p.m. unsupervised after 6 months, and 10 p.m.–6 a.m. under supervisionOnly 1 passenger in addition to supervising driver during first 6 monthsAge 17 and after 12 months driving on a learner’s permit
Florida1516 with valid permit for 1 yearDaylight hours for first 3 months, until 10 p.m. after 3 months for permit holders, 6 a.m.–11 p.m. for licensed 16-year-olds, and 5–1 a.m. for licensed 17-year-oldsNone18
Georgia1516Midnight to 5 a.m., without exceptionOnly immediate family during first 6 months; during second 6 months, 1 non-family member under 21; after 12 months, 3 non-family member passengers under 2118
Hawaii15 years and six months, must hold permit for six months16+11 p.m.–5 a.m., unless for work or school activityOnly 1 passenger under 1817 and have completed at least 6 months on provisional license
Idaho14 years and six months15Daylight hours only unless supervisedOnly 1 non-family passenger younger than 17 during first 6 months17 or after 6 months
Illinois 151610 p.m.–6 a.m. Sunday–Thursday, 11 p.m.–6 a.m. SaturdaysOnly 1 non-family member under 2018 or after 12 months of full licensing
Indiana15 with driver education, 16 without driver education16 and 3 months with driver education; 16 and 9 months without driver education10 p.m.–5 a.m. for 180 days after probationary licensing; after 180 days, 1 a.m.–5 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, 11 p.m.–5 a.m. Monday–Friday; exemptions for travel to or from work, school, or a religious eventNo non-family passengers for 180 days after probationary licensing, unless supervised by a licensed adult older than 2518
Iowa141612:30–5 a.m. unless supervisedOnly 1 non-family member under 18 for first 6 months18
Kansas1415For 15-year-olds, no time restriction for driving with supervision; unsupervised, restricted to school or religious activity; for 16-year-olds, 9 p.m.–5 a.m., unless to or from work, school, or religious activityNo non-sibling minors for 15-year-old drivers; 1 non-sibling minor for 16-year-old drivers17
Kentucky1616 years and 6 monthsMidnight to 6 a.m. unless for work, school, or emergency1 non-family member younger than 2018
Louisiana151611 p.m.–5 a.m.1 non-family passenger under 2117
Maine1515 years and 6 monthsMidnight to 5 a.m.No non-family passengers unless supervised18
Maryland15 years and 9 months16 years and 6 monthsMidnight to 5 a.m.No non-family passengers under 18 for first 5 months, unless supervised18
Massachusetts1616 years and 6 months12:30–5 a.m.No non-family minor passengers for first 6 months18
Michigan14 years, 8 months1610 p.m.–5 a.m., unless driving for work, school, sport participation, extracurricular activity, or religious activityOnly 1 non-family passenger under 2117
Minnesota1516Midnight to 5 a.m. for first 6 months, unless driving for work or certain school events1 passenger younger than 20 for first 6 months, up to 3 in second 6 months17 if driver has held a provisional license for at least 12 months
Mississippi151610 p.m.–6 a.m. Sunday–Thursday, 11:30 p.m.–6 a.m. Friday and Saturday 17
Missouri15161–5 a.m. unless driving to school activities, a job, or for an emergency1 non-family passenger under 19 for first 6 months, then 3 non-family members under 1918
Montana14 and 6 months1511 p.m.–5 a.m.1 non-family passenger for first 6 months, up to 3 for the next 6 months18, or after 1 year with a restricted license
Nebraska14 and 2 months16Midnight to 6 a.m.1 non-family member under 19 for first 6 months17, or after 1 year with a provisional operator’s permit (POP)
Nevada15 years and 6 months1610 p.m.–5 a.m.No non-family passengers under 18 for first 6 months18
New Hampshire15 years and 9 months161–4 a.m.1 non-family member under 25 for first 6 months18, or after 6 months of licensed driving
New Jersey161711:01 p.m.–5 a.m.1 passenger18 with 1 year on probationary license
New Mexico1515 years and 6 monthsMidnight to 5 a.m.1 non-family passenger18
New York1616 years and 6 months9 p.m.–5 a.m. (Differs for New York City and Long Island)1 non-family passenger under 2117 with driver education, 18 without it
North Carolina15169 p.m.–5 a.m.1 non-household passenger under 21 and 1 household passenger under 2116 with at least 6 months on a provisional license
North Dakota1415Sunset or 9 p.m.–5 a.m.None16
Ohio15 years and 6 months16Midnight to 6 a.m.1 non-family passenger for first 12 months18
Oklahoma151610 p.m.–5 a.m.1 non-household passenger16 years, 6 months
Oregon1516Midnight to 5 a.m.1 non-family member under 20 for first 6 months, no more than 3 passengers under 20 for next 6 months18
Pennsylvania1616 years and 6 months11 p.m.–5 a.m.1 passenger under 18 who’s not an immediate family member, parent, or guardian18
Rhode Island1616 years and 6 months1–5 a.m.1 passenger younger than 21 who’s not a family member17 after 12 months on a provisional license
South Carolina1515 years and 6 months6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight saving) to 6 a.m.2 passengers younger than 2117
South Dakota1414 years and 9 months, or 14 years and 6 months with driver’s education10 p.m.–6 a.m.No non-family passengers for first 6 months, 1 passenger under 18 for the next 6 months16
Tennessee151611 p.m.–6 a.m.Only 1 passenger18
Texas1516Midnight to 5 a.m.Only 1 non-family member younger than 2118
Utah1516Midnight to 5 a.m.Only immediate family members17 (after being licensed 6 months) or 18
Vermont1516NoneNo passengers for first 3 months, only family members in the next 3 monthsAfter 6 months of licensed driving, or age 18
Virginia15 years and 6 months16 years and 3 monthsMidnight to 4 a.m.1 passenger younger than 2118
Washington15 (with driver training course)16 (with driving training course)1–5 a.m.No non-family passengers under 20 for first 6 months, no more than 3 passengers younger than 20 for next 6 months18
Washington, D.C.161711 p.m.–6 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday during September through June; midnight to 6 a.m. daily in July and AugustLimited to 2 non-sibling passengers younger than 2118
West Virginia151610 p.m.–5 a.m.No non-family passengers under 20 for first 6 months, 1 non-family member under 20 for the next 6 months18
Wisconsin1515 years and 6 months (driving on instruction permit for 6 months)Midnight to 5 a.m.1 non-family member 21 or older18
Wyoming15 (14 with hardship permit)1611 p.m.–5 a.m.1 non-family member passenger younger than 1817

Learner’s permit vs. driver’s license

Learner’s permits and driver’s licenses allow Americans to drive on public roads. But they differ in some important ways. A learner’s permit usually has restrictions, while a driver’s license doesn’t, except for traffic rules.

A learner’s permit — or instruction permit — allows new drivers to practice under the guidance of a legal guardian. As the previous table shows, most states have driving curfews and passenger limits for new drivers.

You may need to pass a driver’s test that includes a written exam and vision exam to get your learner’s permit. Most states require drivers to be at least 15 and a half years old to get a permit.

After getting your learner’s permit, you may have to take state-approved driver’s education courses and drive a certain amount of time under supervision before you can take a driving test to get your driver’s license. Even with a learner’s permit, you generally can’t drive a car on public roads without another fully licensed driver with you.

Once you have a driver’s license, you can drive a car on public roads by yourself, with some restrictions that vary among states. You can upgrade to an unrestricted driver’s license by holding your intermediate license for a specific time, reaching a specific age, or both.

Your state determines how old you must be to get your provisional license, and the range of minimum licensing ages is broad — from 14 and a half in South Dakota to 17 years old in Washington, D.C., New Jersey, and Delaware. Most states lift restrictions when drivers reach age 18.

Keep Reading: How to Participate in the teenSMART Driver Program

Keep Reading: How to Participate in the teenSMART Driver Program

What is a graduated driver’s licensing program?

A graduated driver’s licensing (GDL) program is a three-stage driving education system for young drivers.[1]

Studies show that graduated licensing systems significantly reduce teen crashes and their insurance losses.[2]

Graduated driver’s license stages

Florida took the lead in improving teen driver safety, rolling out the nation’s first GDL program in 1996. Now, all states have GDL systems that move young drivers toward full licensing in three stages:

  1. Learner’s permit: New drivers practice behind the wheel under the supervision of a licensed driver. States typically specify how long you must drive on a permit and the number of hours you must log before you can move to the next stage of the GDL system.

  2. Provisional license: Also called an intermediate license in some states, a provisional license allows you to drive without supervision. At this stage, you’ll likely have limitations on the hours you can drive and the number and age of passengers you can have in your vehicle. Like a learner’s permit, you’ll have to drive on a provisional license for a set amount of time before moving to the next stage.

  3. Unrestricted driver’s license: Most states allow drivers to obtain an unrestricted license when they reach age 18. Some states allow you to get a full license earlier if you meet certain requirements, like driving for a specified number of months on a provisional license. An unrestricted license means you can drive at any time of the day or night, with as many passengers as your vehicle has seat belts for.

State driving restrictions

Most states have some restrictions on when you can drive on a permit or provisional license, including:

  • Hours when you can’t drive unsupervised

  • The number of passengers you can carry

  • Who you can drive with unsupervised (for example, family members or people older than 18)

Even when you get your full, unrestricted license, you’ll still have to follow your state’s safe driving laws. For example, your state may prohibit drivers from using their cell phones while driving. And your state will likely have various speed limit rules to follow.

Driving without a valid license is a serious offense, no matter your age. Adult motorists who get behind the wheel without a license can face fines, license suspension, and even jail time.

While teens who violate their state’s GDL rules probably won’t face jail, most states will revoke their learner’s permit or provisional license.

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Adding a teen driver to a car insurance policy

You’ll likely see a spike in rates when you add a teen to your insurance policy. Insurance companies generally consider younger drivers riskier to insure because they have less experience operating a vehicle.[3] Still, adding a teen driver to a parent’s policy is almost always cheaper than getting them their own car insurance.

Average car insurance premiums for teenagers with their own policies are $376 per month for full coverage and $209 for minimum coverage. Averages vary based on the state and other factors, like the vehicle a teen drives and how far they drive.

Fortunately, you can take steps to lower your rates if you add a teenager to your car insurance policy:

  • Look for student-centric discounts, like for good grades, taking defensive driving courses, or college students who are away at school.

  • Encourage safe driving habits so your teen avoids accidents when possible — this can also decrease premiums if they remain claims-free.

  • Insure your teen’s car with your current policy to potentially get a multi-car discount.

  • Raise your deductible, which can lower your premiums. But this will increase the amount you pay out of pocket when filing a claim.[4]

Check Out: Car Insurance Discount Guide

Check Out: Car Insurance Discount Guide

Driving age FAQs

Insuring a new driver can be pricey, so don’t forget to check out how you can save on teenage car insurance. Here are the answers to common questions about driving ages.

  • In what states can you drive at 14 years old?

    In the U.S., you can drive at age 14 with a learners permit in Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

  • What’s the riskiest driving age?

    Generally, ages 15 to 20 are the riskiest to drive. And 19-year-old drivers have the highest risk of being involved in a fatal crash, according to the NHTSA.

  • Can you drive at 14 in Arkansas?

    A 14-year-old can drive on a learners license in Arkansas provided a licensed driver who’s at least 21 supervises them.

  • How old do you have to be to drive in California?

    The minimum driving age in California is 15 years and six months with a learner’s permit.

  • How old do you have to be to drive in Florida?

    With a learner’s permit, the minimum age to drive in Florida is 15 years.

  • How old do you have to be to drive in Texas?

    The minimum driving age in Texas is 15 years old with a learner’s permit.

  • How old do you have to be to drive in New York?

    With a learner’s permit, the minimum driving age in New York is 16 years.

Sources

  1. National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. "Graduated Driver Licensing."
  2. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. "Graduated licensing."
  3. Insurance Information Institute. "Auto insurance for teen drivers."
  4. Insurance Information Institute. "Nine ways to lower your auto insurance costs."
Tanveen Vohra
Tanveen VohraManager of Content and Communications

Tanveen Vohra is an editorial manager at Insurify specializing in writing about property and casualty insurance, focusing on market and pricing trends in home and auto insurance. Through her work, she helps consumers better understand the components of their insurance policies so they can make smarter purchase decisions. She received a bachelor's degree from SUNY Buffalo. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.

Evelyn Pimplaskar
Edited byEvelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
Evelyn Pimplaskar
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
  • 10+ years in insurance and personal finance content

  • 30+ years in media, PR, and content creation

Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.

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