Most American teens can start working toward a driver’s license around age 15. It usually involves getting a learner’s permit, completing driver's education, and doing behind-the-wheel practice driving. While each state has slightly different requirements, most states follow a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program that sets licensing restrictions for teen drivers. Here’s a complete list of licensing requirements per state.
Why Are Restrictions Placed on Teen Drivers?
Due to their inexperience, teenage drivers are at much higher risk of being involved in a car crash, especially at night. The risk of a fatal crash for 16-19-year-old drivers is nearly three times higher than for drivers aged 20 and older.
As part of a drive to improve teen driver safety, many states have adopted a graduated driver licensing program. It often has three stages:
Learner's Stage: Teens learning to drive almost always have to pass a written test to go behind the wheel accompanied by a licensed driver. They must follow some rules and meet specific requirements before being allowed to progress to the next stage.
Intermediate Stage: Although it comes with some restrictions, provisional licenses allow teen drivers to be behind the wheel on their own. Often, to get to this stage, teens must pass their road skill exam.
Full Privilege: Once teen drivers reach a certain age, all restrictions are removed and they can drive like other adults.
States With Teen Driver Licensing Restrictions
Each state has its own teen driving laws. Get a pen and paper to write down the restrictions you face if you live in one of these states.
Alabama
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must complete 50 hours of driving with supervision
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No driving from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.
May only drive 1 non-family passenger
Minimum duration: 6 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 17
Alaska
Learner's Permit:
Age: 14 or older
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 hours at night or during inclement weather)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No unsupervised driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
No passengers under 21, except when supervised
Unrestricted License:
Age: 16.5
Arizona
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15.5 or older
Must drive supervised for:
30 hours (10 hours at night) if not taking driver's ed classes
20 hours (6 hours at night) if enrolled in driver's ed classes
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No unsupervised nighttime driving from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
No more than 1 passenger under 18
Unrestricted License:
Age: 16.5
Arkansas
Learner's Permit:
Age: 14 or older
Can only drive supervised by a licensed driver
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No driving alone from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.
No more than 1 non-family passenger under 21
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
California
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15.5 or older
Must take driver's ed and professional driver training
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 hours at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. (within the first 12 months)
Must not transport passengers under the age of 20 unsupervised (within the first 12 months)
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
Colorado
Learner's Permit:
Age:
15 (if taking 30 hours of driver's ed)
15.5 (if taking 4 hours of classroom driver awareness)
16 (if skipping driver's ed)
Must drive supervised for 50 hours
Minimum duration: 12 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No unsupervised driving between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
No passengers under 21 for the first 6 months, then only 1 passenger under 21 for the following 6 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
Connecticut
Learner's Permit:
Age: 16 or older
Must drive supervised for 40 hours
Minimum duration:
4 months for driving school enrollees
6 months for home-taught teens
Provisional License:
Age:
16 years and 4 months (for driving school enrollees)
16.5 (for home-taught teens)
Driver’s ed is required for applicants younger than 18 and parents must attend a 2-hour course on teen driving laws.
No unsupervised driving from 11 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Cannot drive any unlicensed passengers under 20 years old for the first 6 months
May only drive immediate relatives for the next 6 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
Delaware
Learner's Permit:
Age: 16 or older
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Only 1 passenger allowed in the vehicle
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16.5 or older
No unsupervised driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Only 1 non-family passenger allowed in the vehicle during the day
Unrestricted License:
Age: 17
Must have held a learner's or provisional license for 12 months
District of Columbia
Learner's Permit:
Age: 16 or older
May drive supervised between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. (no nighttime driving allowed)
There are different limits September through June:
Sunday to Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10:59 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Must drive supervised for 40 hours
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16.5 or older
Must drive supervised for 10 hours at night
May only drive alone during these times:
September through June
6 a.m. to 10:59 p.m., Sunday to Thursday
6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., Friday and Saturday
July and August
6 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., every day
No passengers (besides the instructor) for the first 6 months if driving alone
For the following 6 months, no more than 2 passengers under 21 allowed
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
Florida
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must have completed a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse (TLSA) course
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
For the first 3 months, only daylight driving is allowed
Afterward, only until 10 p.m.
Minimum duration: 12 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
Unsupervised driving is only allowed between:
6 a.m. and 11 p.m. (for 16-year-olds)
5 a.m. and 1 a.m. (for 17-year-olds)
No passenger restrictions
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
Georgia
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (6 at night)
Minimum duration: 12 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No driving from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., no exceptions
There are passenger restrictions in place:
First 6 months, only immediate family members allowed
Following 6 months, only 1 non-family passenger under 21 allowed
After 1 year of issuance, 3 non-family passengers under 21 allowed
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
Hawaii
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15.5 or older
No passengers allowed in the vehicle, besides the instructor
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
Must have completed driver's ed course
No unsupervised driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
No more than 1 passenger under 18, except for family, while driving alone
Minimum duration: 6 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 17
Idaho
Learner's Permit:
Age: 14.5 or older
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 15 or older
Needs to have completed a driver's ed course (if under 17)
No unsupervised nighttime driving for teens under the age of 16
No more than 1 non-family passenger under age 17 for the first 6 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 17
Illinois
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
No driving at all between:
10 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday
11 p.m. and 6 a.m., Friday and Saturday
No passengers besides the supervising instructor
Minimum duration: 9 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
Same nighttime driving restrictions apply
No more than one passenger under 20 for the first 12 months, except immediate family
After 12 months, no passenger limit as long as everyone is buckled up
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
Indiana
Learner's Permit:
Age:
15 (with driver's ed)
16 (without driver's ed)
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age:
16 years, 3 months (with driver's ed)
16 years, 9 months (without driver's ed)
No unsupervised driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the first 6 months
After 6 months, no unsupervised driving between:
11 p.m. to 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday
1 a.m. to 5 a.m., on Friday and Saturday
No passengers for the first 180 days if driving unsupervised
Unrestricted License:
Age: 21
Iowa
Learner's Permit
Age: 14 or older
Must drive supervised for 20 hours (2 at night)
Must complete driver's ed
Minimum duration: 12 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
Must drive supervised for 10 hours (2 at night)
No unsupervised driving from 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.
For the first 6 months, only 1 non-family passenger allowed when driving unsupervised
Minimum duration: 12 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 17
Kansas
Learner's Permit
Age: 14 or older
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Must take driver's ed classes
Minimum duration: 12 months
Provisional License:
Age:
15 (only allowed to drive alone to and from school)
16 or older
No unsupervised driving from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Only 1 non-family passenger under 18 allowed when driving unsupervised
Minimum duration: 6 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 16.5
Kentucky
Learner's Permit:
Age: 16 or older
Must drive supervised for 60 hours (10 at night)
No driving from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Driver’s ed required if under 18
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16.5 or older
No driving from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Only 1 non-family passenger allowed while driving unsupervised
Unrestricted License:
Age: 17
Louisiana
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (15 at night)
Driver’s ed required if under 18
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No unsupervised driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Only 1 non-family passenger under 21 allowed between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m., if driving unsupervised
Unrestricted License:
Age: 17
Maine
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for 70 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No non-family passengers if driving unsupervised (first 9 months)
No driving between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Unrestricted License:
Age: 16 years, 9 months
Maryland
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 years, 9 months or older
Must drive supervised for 60 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 9 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16.5 or older
Must have taken driver's ed
No non-family passengers under 18 for the first 5 months if driving unsupervised
No unsupervised driving between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Minimum duration: 18 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
Massachusetts
Learner's Permit:
Age: 16 or older
Must complete driver's ed classes
Must drive supervised for:
30 hours (for teens who completed driver skills develop.m.ent program)
40 hours (for teens that didn't)
No driving unsupervised from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16.5 or older
No non-family passengers under 18 for the first 6 months when driving unsupervised
No driving unsupervised from 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
Michigan
Learner's Permit:
Age: 14 years, 8 months or older
Supervised driving: 50 hours (10 at night)
Must complete driver's ed course
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Only 1 non-family passenger under 21 when driving unsupervised
Minimum duration: 6 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 17
Minnesota
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for:
50 hours (15 at night)
40 hours (15 at night) if parent completes a 90-minute course
Must take driver's ed
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No unsupervised driving from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. (for first 6 months)
There are passenger restrictions when driving unsupervised:
Only 1 non-family passenger under 20 for the first 6 months
Up to 3 passengers under 20 for the second 6 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 17 (if teen held a provisional license for 12 months)
Mississippi
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Minimum duration: 12 months (for teens under 17)
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No driving unsupervised from:
10 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday
11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., Friday and Saturday
Unrestricted License:
Age: 16.5
Missouri
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No driving unsupervised from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
There are passenger restrictions:
Only 1 non-family passenger under 19 for the first 6 months
After that, no more than 3 non-family passengers under 19
Unrestricted License:
Age: 17 years, 11 months
Montana
Learner's Permit:
Age:
14.5 for teens enrolled in driver's ed classes
15 for all other teens
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 15 or older
No driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
There are passenger restrictions when driving unsupervised:
Only 1 non-family passenger under 18 allowed for first 6 months
Then, up to 3 non-family passengers under 18 allowed
Unrestricted License:
Age: 16
Nebraska
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No unsupervised driving from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.
For first 6 months, only 1 non-family passenger under 19 allowed
Minimum duration: 12 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 17
Nevada
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15.5 or older
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Must complete driver's ed, online or in person
If there is no course within 30 miles of their residence and there’s no internet access, teens must complete 100 hours behind the wheel with a licensed adult
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16
No driving unsupervised from 10 a.m. to 5 a.m.
No non-family passengers under 18 allowed for the first 6 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
New Hampshire
Learner's Permit:
New Hampshire does not issue learner’s permits, but a person learning to drive can do so under specific conditions.
Age: 15.5 or older
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 at night)
Must complete driver's education
Provisional License:
Age: 16
No driving unsupervised from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.
No more than 1 passenger under 25 for the first 6 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
New Jersey
Learner's Permit:
Age: 16 or older
Must be enrolled in driver's ed classes
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 17 or older
No driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Only 1 passenger (except dependents) allowed in the vehicle
Minimum duration: 12 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
New Mexico
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must have completed driver's ed classes
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 15.5 or older
No unsupervised driving from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Only 1 non-family passenger under 21 allowed in the vehicle if teen drives unsupervised
Minimum duration: 12 months
Unrestricted License:
Age: 16.5
New York
Learner's Permit:
Age: 16 or older
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16.5 or older
No driving unsupervised from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Exception: No driving unsupervised at all in all five boroughs of NYC
Exception: Only limited daytime unsupervised driving allowed in Long Island
Only 1 non-family passenger under 21 allowed
Unrestricted License:
Age:
17 for teens who completes driver's ed
18 for teens without driver's ed.
North Carolina
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must have completed a driver's ed course
Must drive supervised for 60 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 12 months (starting Jan 2023)
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No driving from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
No more than one passenger under 21.
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
North Dakota
Learner's Permit:
Age: 14 or older
Must drive supervised for 50 hours
Must pass a driver's ed course
Minimum duration:
12 months for teens under 16
6 months for teens aged 16-18
Provisional License:
Age:
16 or older
15, if parents request a restricted license
No driving unsupervised from sunset/9 p.m. (whichever is later) to 5 a.m.
Unrestricted License:
Age: 16
Ohio
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15.5 or older
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Must complete a driver's ed course
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No driving unsupervised from:
12 a.m. to 6 a.m., if 16 years old
1 a.m. to 5 a.m., if 17 years old
No more than one passenger unless supervised for the first 12 months.
Unrestricted License:
Age: 18
Oklahoma
Learner's Permit:
Age:
15.5 with driver’s ed
16 without driver’s ed
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age:
16 with driver’s ed
16.5 without driver’s ed
No driving unsupervised from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Only 1 non-family passenger under 21 when driving unsupervised
Unrestricted License:
Age:
16.5 with driver’s ed
17 without driver’s ed
Oregon
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for:
50 hours, if enrolled in driver's ed
100 hours, if not enrolled in driver's ed
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No driving unsupervised from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
There are passenger restrictions:
No non-family passengers under 20 for the first 6 months
Up to 3 non-family passengers under 20 allowed after 6 months
Unrestricted License:
Age:
17, for teens who held a provisional license for 12 months
18, for all other teens
Pennsylvania
Learner's Permit:
Age: 16 or older
Must drive supervised for 65 hours (10 at night, 5 in inclement weather)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16.5 or older
No driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
There are passenger restrictions while driving unsupervised:
Only 1 non-family passenger under 18 for the first 6 months
After 6 months, no more than 3 non-family passengers under 18
Unrestricted License:
Age:
17, after completing driver's ed and keeping a clean record for 12 months
18, for all other situations
Rhode Island
Learner's Permit:
Age: 16 or older
Must have completed driver's ed
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16.5 or older
No unsupervised driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
For the first 12 months, only 1 non-family passenger under 21 allowed
Unrestricted License
Age:
17.5, if teen has had a provisional license for 12 months
18 otherwise
South Carolina
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 at night)
Must have completed driver's ed
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 15.5 or older
No driving unsupervised between:
6 p.m. and 6 a.m. (EST)
8 p.m. and 6 a.m. (EDT)
Only 2 non-family passengers under 21 allowed, while unsupervised
Exception: more passengers are allowed if driving to school
Unrestricted License
Age:
16.5 years old if teen keeps provisional license for 12 months
17 years old otherwise
South Dakota
Learner's Permit:
Age: 14 or older
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night, 10 during inclement weather)
Minimum duration:
6 months if enrolled in driver's ed
9 months without driver's ed
Provisional License:
Age:
14.5 for teens with completed driver's ed
14 years, 9 months for teens without driver's ed
No unsupervised driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
No passengers, except family, in the vehicle for the first 6 months
After 6 months, only 1 passenger outside of family allowed
Unrestricted License
Age: 16 or older
Tennessee
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
No nighttime driving at all from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No driving unsupervised from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., for first 12 months
Only 1 non-family passenger under 21, for first 12 months
Unrestricted License
Age: 17
Texas
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for 30 hours (10 at night)
Must have complete driver's ed
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No driving between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
May only carry 1 non-family passenger under 21
Unrestricted License
Age: 18
Utah
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
Must have completed a driver's ed course
No unsupervised driving from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Cannot drive non-family passengers for the first 6 months, when unsupervised
Unrestricted License
Age:
16.5, if teen has held a provisional license for 6 months
18, if otherwise
Vermont
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 at night)
Must complete driver's ed
Minimum duration: 12 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
There are passenger restrictions when driving unsupervised:
For the first 3 months, no passengers at all
After the first 3 months, the teen can transport family members
After 6 months, there are no passenger restrictions (as long as everyone buckles up)
Unrestricted License
Age: 18
Virginia
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15.5 or older
Must complete driver's ed course
Must drive supervised for 45 hours (15 at night)
Minimum duration: 9 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 years, 3 months or older
No unsupervised driving from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.
There are passenger restrictions when driving unsupervised:
Only 1 passenger under 21 for the first 12 months
After 12 months, up to 3 passengers under 21 allowed
Unrestricted License
Age: 18
Washington
Learner's Permit:
Age:
15, if enrolled in driver's ed classes
15.5 if not enrolled in classes
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
Must have completed a driver's ed course
No unsupervised driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
There are passenger restrictions:
For the first 6 months, no passengers under 20 except family
For the next 6 months, up to 3 non-family passengers under 20 allowed
Unrestricted License
Age: 17
West Virginia
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must complete 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No unsupervised driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
There are passenger restrictions:
No non-family passengers under 20 for the first 6 months
After 6 months, only 1 non-family passenger under 20 allowed
Unrestricted License
Age: 17
Wisconsin
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15.5 or older
Must complete driver's ed course
Must drive supervised for 30 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
Driving unsupervised from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m. is only allowed for school/work purposes, for first 9 months
After 9 months, there are no nighttime driving restrictions
No limits on how many family members the teen can drive unsupervised
Unrestricted License
Age: 18
Wyoming
Learner's Permit:
Age: 15 or older
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 hours)
Minimum duration: 10 days
Provisional License:
Age: 16 or older
No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Only 1 passenger under 18, except family, allowed
Unrestricted License
Age:
16.5 for teens who took driver's ed
17 for teens who didn't
States That Allow Online Driver's Education
Many states require teen drivers to complete a driver’s ed course. While online driver’s ed has become popular in recent years, not all states accept it. Those that do allow online driver’s ed include:
DriversEd.com offers state-approved driver’s ed courses in all states that allow online driver’s education. Learn more about our teen driver’s ed courses so you can satisfy your state's requirements.
Updated 9/29/22