Most states have a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. It's split into three stages: the learner stage, intermediate stage, and unrestricted stage. Each has its own set of rules, and for good reason! Teen drivers are three times more likely to get into a fatal crash than adult drivers, so these restrictions are here to keep everyone safe.
As a teen, you start your journey with a learner's permit — no matter where you live. Then, as you grow up and get more experience behind the wheel, you work your way up.
Let's explore the basic requirements you'll have to meet for each teen driving licensing stage.
Learner's Permit Rules
Having a learner's permit lets you drive anywhere with adult supervision. Generally, you can get yours after completing a driver's education course and passing the knowledge test. But that's not all: you must also meet your state's minimum age requirements.
Where Can I Get My Permit at 14?
Alaska
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 hours at night or during inclement weather)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Arkansas
Can only drive supervised by a licensed driver
Minimum duration: 6 months
Idaho (14.5 years old)
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Iowa
Must drive supervised for 20 hours (2 at night)
Must complete driver's ed
Minimum duration: 12 months
Kansas
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Must take driver's ed classes
Minimum duration: 12 months
Michigan (14 years, 8 months of age)
Supervised driving: 50 hours (10 at night)
Must complete driver's ed course
Minimum duration: 6 months
Montana (14.5 and taking driver's ed)
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
North Dakota
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
South Dakota
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
Where Can I Get My Permit at 15?
Alabama
Must complete 50 hours of driving with supervision
Arizona (15.5 years old)
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
California (15.5 years old)
Must take driver's ed and professional driver training
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 hours at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Colorado (15 for teens enrolled in driver's ed; 15.5 for teens taking driver awareness)
Must drive supervised for 50 hours
Minimum duration: 12 months
Florida
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
Georgia
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (6 at night)
Minimum duration: 12 months
Hawaii (15.5 years old)
No passengers allowed in the vehicle, besides the instructor
Minimum duration: 6 months
Illinois
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
Indiana (only teens taking driver's ed)
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Louisiana
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (15 at night)
Driver’s ed required if under 18
Minimum duration: 6 months
Maine
Must drive supervised for 70 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Maryland (15 years and 9 months old)
Must drive supervised for 60 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 9 months
Minnesota
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
Mississippi
Minimum duration: 12 months (for teens under 17)
Missouri
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Montana (only teens who skip driver's ed)
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Nebraska
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Nevada (15.5 years old)
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
New Hampshire (15.5 years old)
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 at night)
Must complete driver's education
New Mexico
Must have completed driver's ed classes
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
North Carolina
Must have completed a driver's ed course
Must drive supervised for 60 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 12 months
Ohio (15.5 years old)
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Must complete a driver's ed course
Minimum duration: 6 months
Oklahoma (15.5 for teens taking driver's ed)
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Oregon
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
South Carolina
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 at night)
Must have completed driver's ed
Minimum duration: 6 months
Tennessee
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
Texas
Must drive supervised for 30 hours (10 at night)
Must have complete driver's ed
Minimum duration: 6 months
Utah
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Vermont
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 at night)
Must complete driver's ed
Minimum duration: 12 months
Virginia (15.5 years old)
Must complete driver's ed course
Must drive supervised for 45 hours (15 at night)
Minimum duration: 9 months
Washington
Must drive supervised for 40 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
West Virginia
Must complete 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Wisconsin (15.5 years old)
Must complete driver's ed course
Must drive supervised for 30 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Wyoming
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 hours)
Minimum duration: 10 days
Where Can I Get My Permit at 16?
Colorado (only teens skipping driver's ed)
Must drive supervised for 50 hours
Minimum duration: 12 months
Connecticut
Must drive supervised for 40 hours
Minimum duration:
4 months for driving school enrollees
6 months for home-taught teens
Delaware
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Only 1 passenger allowed in the vehicle
Minimum duration: 6 months
District of Columbia
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
Indiana (only teens skipping driver's ed)
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Kentucky
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
Massachusetts
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
New Jersey
Must be enrolled in driver's ed classes
Minimum duration: 6 months
New York
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Oklahoma (only teens skipping driver's ed)
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Pennsylvania
Must drive supervised for 65 hours (10 at night, 5 in inclement weather)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Rhode Island
Must have completed driver's ed
Must drive supervised for 50 hours (10 at night)
Minimum duration: 6 months
Provisional License Rules
Once you pass the road test, you'll receive a provisional license. With it, you can hit the road on your own. Sure, you'll have to follow curfews and strict rules about where you can drive and how many people you can take with you. Still, it's a big step toward earning your independence!
Getting a Provisional License at 14.5
South Dakota (only teens with driver's ed; 14 years, 9 months for teens without)
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
Getting a Provisional License at 15
Idaho
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
Kansas (only for driving to and from school)
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
Montana
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
New Mexico (15.5 years old)
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
South Carolina (15.5 years old)
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
Getting a Provisional License at 16
Alabama
No driving from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.
May only drive 1 non-family passenger
Minimum duration: 6 months
Alaska
No unsupervised driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
No passengers under 21, except when supervised
Arizona
No unsupervised nighttime driving from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m.
No more than 1 passenger under 18
Arkansas
No driving alone from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.
No more than 1 non-family passenger under 21
California
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)
Colorado
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
Connecticut (16 years, 4 months for teens in driving school; 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
Delaware (16.5 years old)
No unsupervised driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Only 1 non-family passenger allowed in the vehicle during the day
District of Columbia (16.5 years old)
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
Florida
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
Georgia
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
Hawaii
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
Illinois
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
Indiana (16 years, 3 months for teens with driver's ed; 16 years, 9 months for those without)
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
Iowa
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
Kansas (without restrictions on destination)
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
Kentucky (16.5 years old)
No driving from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Only 1 non-family passenger allowed while driving unsupervised
Louisiana
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
Maine
No non-family passengers if driving unsupervised (first 9 months)
No driving between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Maryland (16.5 years old)
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
Massachusetts (16.5 years old)
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.
Michigan
No driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Only 1 non-family passenger under 21 when driving unsupervised
Minimum duration: 6 months
Minnesota
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
Mississippi
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
Missouri
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
Nebraska
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
Nevada
No driving unsupervised from 10 a.m. to 5 a.m.
No non-family passengers under 18 allowed for the first 6 months
New Hampshire
No driving unsupervised from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.
No more than 1 passenger under 25 for the first 6 months
New York (16.5 years old)
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
North Carolina
No driving from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
No more than one passenger under 21
North Dakota
No driving unsupervised from sunset or 9 p.m. (whichever is later) to 5 a.m.
Ohio
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
Oklahoma (16 years old for teens with driver's ed; 16.5 for teens without)
No driving unsupervised from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Only 1 non-family passenger under 21 when driving unsupervised
Oregon
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
Pennsylvania
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
Rhode Island (16.5 years old)
No unsupervised driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.
For the first 12 months, only 1 non-family passenger under 21 allowed
Tennessee
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
Texas
No driving between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
May only carry 1 non-family passenger under 21
Utah
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
Vermont
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)
Virginia (16 years, 3 months old)
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
Washington
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
West Virginia
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
Wisconsin
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
Wyoming
No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Only 1 passenger under 18, except family, allowed
Getting a Provisional License at 17
New Jersey
No driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Only 1 passenger (except dependents) allowed in the vehicle
Minimum duration: 12 months
When Can I Get My Unrestricted License?
The final stage in GDL programs is an unrestricted license. As you can guess, it gives you the freedom to drive anywhere — just like any adult.
Removing Restrictions at 16
North Dakota
South Dakota
Removing Restrictions at 16.5
Alaska
Arizona
Kansas
Maine
Mississippi
New Mexico
Oklahoma (teens who completed driver's ed)
South Carolina
Must have had a provisional license for 12 months
Utah
Must have had a provisional license for 6 months
Wyoming (teens who have taken driver's ed)
Removing Restrictions at 17
Alabama
Delaware
Must have held a learner's or provisional license for 12 months
Hawaii
Idaho
Iowa
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Minnesota
Must hold a provisional license for 12 months
Nebraska
New York (teens who complete driver's ed)
Oklahoma (teens who skip driver's ed)
Oregon
Must hold a provisional license for 12 months
Pennsylvania
After completing driver's ed and keeping a clean record for 12 months
Rhode Island (17.5 years old)
Must hold a provisional license for 12 months
Tennessee
Washington
West Virginia
Wyoming (teens without driver's ed)
Removing Restrictions at 18
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Missouri
Montana
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York (teens who skip driver's ed)
North Carolina
Ohio
Texas
Vermont
Virginia
Wisconsin
Removing Restrictions at 21
Indiana
Start Working Toward Your Driver's License Today
Getting behind the wheel is exciting. But before you can do it, you should learn the rules of the road. That's what driver's ed courses are for. Fortunately, they're pretty straightforward and can even be fun! Enroll in a state-approved teen driver's ed course online today to start conquering your independence.
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 08/22/2024