Learning to drive well is the most important step toward road safety. In Oklahoma, all new drivers under 18 years old must go through the graduated driver's license (GDL) system.
What Is the Oklahoma Graduated Driver's License System?
The Oklahoma GDL system restricts driving privileges until teenagers have passed both written and practical exams. The privileges under all the stages of the graduated driver's license depend on whether the teenager is receiving driver's education.
The GDL system does not apply to new drivers over 18 years old. Instead, a new adult driver can choose to get a learner's permit but is allowed to test for a fully unrestricted license without it. Adult drivers need to pass a written exam and a practical exam to receive an unrestricted license.
The No License Stage
Once a teenager turns 15, they can drive in Oklahoma without a license while receiving driver's education from a certified instructor. Otherwise, teenagers over the age of 15 without a license are not allowed to drive.
The Learner Permit Stage
Teenagers with a learner permit in Oklahoma are allowed to drive between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. while accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. During the learner permit stage, new drivers are NOT permitted to drive alone.
To obtain a learner permit, teenagers receiving or having completed driver's education must be at least 15 1/2 years old and must pass a written exam. They must also pass a vision exam.
If the driver with a learner permit is not receiving driver's education, they must be at least 16 years old. They must also have passed the written and vision exams.
The Intermediate License Stage
At the intermediate license stage, Oklahoma drivers can drive alone between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. or anytime if the activity is related to school, work, or church. To drive outside these hours, a fully licensed driver 21 or older must be with them.
Drivers with an intermediate license can also have passengers. They can have one passenger if the passenger is not from their household. To drive with more passengers other than members of their household, intermediate drivers must be accompanied by a fully licensed driver 21 or older.
To obtain an intermediate license, drivers must fulfill these conditions:
Must have a learner's permit for at least six months.
Must have at least 50 hours of driving practice, 10 of these hours must be completed at night, while accompanied by a fully licensed driver over 21 years old with at least two year's driving experience.
Must not have received any traffic convictions during their time at the learner permit stage.
Must have completed the state-required Work Zone Safe course
Must pass a driver's skills exam.
At this point in the Graduated Drivers License system, there is no difference in requirements between teenagers who have received driver's ed and those who have not.
The Unrestricted License Stage
As the name says, the unrestricted license allows the holder to drive without restrictions.
To obtain an unrestricted license under age 18, a driver must have had an intermediate license for at least six months and not have received any traffic convictions. Drivers over the age of 18 can receive an unrestricted license as soon as they pass a vision test, a written exam, and a practical driving test.
Oklahoma Driver's Education Is Essential
In Oklahoma, you can get your driver's license six months earlier if you receive driver's education. Our SOK-approved teen driver's ed program is here to teach you all the theoretical skills you need to pass the written test.