Alabama
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 16 years, 6 Months
Notes: Restricted license achievable after reaching age 16 and holding permit for six months. No driving from midnight to 6:00am and no more than 3 passengers for six months or reaching age 17, whichever is sooner. The learner must also log 30 practice hours or take driver training with permit.
Notes:
Alaska
Learners Permit: 14 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Notes: The licence holder must log 40 practice hours, reach age 16 and have had permit for six months to get restricted license. No passengers under 21 for the first and no driving between 1am and 5am until holding license for six months or reaching age 18, whichever is sooner.
Arizona
Learners Permit: 15 Years, 6 Months
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Notes: The licence holder log 30 practice hours or take driver education. No more than 1 passenger allowed in the vehicle or driving between 10 P.M. to 5 A.M. until reaching age 18 or holding license for six months, whichever is sooner.
Arkansas
Learners Permit: 14 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Notes: Learner's permit must be held for six months and driver must reach age 16.
California
Learners Permit: 16 Years, 6 Months
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 17 Years
Notes: Permit upon completion of driver's education registration, and cannot drive with a permit without a parent, guardian or licensed adult age of 25 or older. Restrictions include not being able to drive anyone under the age of 20 and not being able to drive between the hours of 11p.m. to 5a.m. for one year after receiving the license or reaching age 18, whichever is sooner. Learner's permit must be held for six months and learner must log 50 practice hours.
Colorado
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 17 Years
Notes: Learner's permit must be held for one year. 50 practice hours must be logged. Drivers under 17 may carry one passenger. Driving between midnight and 5am is also prohibited until the driver has been licensed for one year or turns 18.
Connecticut
Learners Permit: 16 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years, 4 Months
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: Learner's permit must be held for 4 months and driver must log 40 practice hours. No passengers under 20 for six months, no driving between 11pm and 5am until the driver turns 18.
Delaware
Learners Permit: 16 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Full License: 17 Years
Notes: Permit must be held for six months. Learner must have 50 practice hours. No driving from 10:00 to 6:00 am or any more than one passenger for six months.
Florida
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: 16 years - No 11 pm to 5 am driving for one year unless with 21 year or older licensed driver or driving to and from work. 17 years - No 1 am to 5 am driving for one year unless with 21 year or older licensed driver or driving to and from work. You may ONLY drive to school and work with permit after holding permit for at least six months and be at least age 16 and still attending school.
Georgia
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: Permit must be held for one year and learner must have 40 practice hours. No passengers for first six months. One passenger for following six months. After that no more than three passengers until reaching age 18. Also, driver may not drive from midnight to 6am until reaching age 18.
Hawaii
Learners Permit: 15 Years, 6 Months
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 17 Years
Notes: Permit must be held for six months. Only one passenger under 18 or driving from 11pm to 5am for one year or upon age 18, whichever is sooner.
Idaho
Learners Permit: 14 Years, 6 Months
Restricted License: 15 Years
Full License: 16 Years
Notes: Permit must be held for six months. Learner must log 50 practice hours. Those under 17 must complete an accredited driver training program to receive an instruction permit. Those under 16 may only drive during daylight hours, unless supervised by a licensed driver 21 or over. For the first 6 months of license possession, the driver is only able to carry one non-family member under age 17 in their car.
Illinois
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 18 years
Notes: If under 18, applicants must complete 50 hours of driving, complete driver's education, show proof of enrollment in school and hold permit for nine months before one can apply for license. If convicted of a moving violation during permit phase, the 9-month waiting period restarts. Anyone under 18 cannot drive between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM Monday - Thursday or 11:00 PM and 6:00 AM Friday - Saturday. If the teenage driver is coming from a job, school activity, or a family oriented place, this curfew is extended with proof of being there until the time of the event being over. Drivers under 18 for the first 12 months or until the driver turns 18, whichever occurs first, are allowed one passenger under the age of 20 unless those being transported are immediate family members or over 20.
Driver must have not been convicted of a moving violation in the 6 months prior to turning 18 to receive full license privileges. If a driver is convicted of a moving violation in the first full year of licensing, this will result in extension of the passenger restriction for an additional 6 months. If a driver is convicted of a moving violation before turning 18, the Secretary of State will mail a warning letter to the driver and parents. If an under 18 driver is convicted of two moving violations in 24 months, this will result in a minimum 1-month license suspension.
Indiana
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: Permit must be held for 2 months and learner must be 16 and 180 days before getting a restricted license. If the learner is younger than 18 years of age on receiving the driver's license, it is considered probationary. Holders of a probationary driver's license may drive alone but must observe the following regulations regarding passengers:
If there are passengers of any age in the vehicle during the first 90 days of the driver's license, an individual 21 years of age or older with a valid driver's license must be seated in the vehicle's front passenger seat; and If there are passengers in the vehicle, every occupant must wear a seat belt. Holders of a probationary driver's license must comply with state and local curfew laws. Drivers under the age of 18 are not permitted to drive after 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, or after 11 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, unless the following conditions apply:
The probationary driver is accompanied by a parent, guardian or custodian, or an adult designated by a parent, guardian or custodian; or The probationary driver is going to or returning from a job, school, religious activity, an activity involving the exercise of civil rights, or an activity sponsored by a governmental or non-profit entity.
Iowa
Learners Permit: 14 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 17 years (with perfect driving record for first year, if not, 18 years)
Notes: Permit must be held for six months and learner must be 16. Learner must also log at least 20 practice hours. Restricted drivers can not drive between 12:30 A.M. and 5:00 A.M. unless there is a parent/guardian, immediate family member over 21, or a designated adult over 25. The driver may drive between these times if they are granted a waiver for travel to and from work or school related activities. The number of passengers is limited to the number of seat belts. Full license at 17 years old if the driver has gone violation and accident free for 12 consecutive months, otherwise they must be 18 years old.
Kansas
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 17 Years
Notes: Permit must be held for six months. After logging 20 daytime and 5 nighttime hours of driving, if the learner is between age 15 and 16 the learner has the option of getting a restricted license. The learner must then log an additional 20 daytime and 5 nighttime practice hours and reach age 16 before getting license. Applicant must provide affidavit showing at least 50 hours of adult supervised driving, with 10 of those hours being at night, by a licensed driver at least 21 years old.
Kentucky
Learners Permit: 16 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Full License: 17 Years
Notes: Learner's permit must be held for six months and learner must log 60 practice hours. No driving from midnight to 6am and no more than one passenger under 20 for six months or reaching age 18, whichever is sooner.
Louisiana
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 17 Years
Notes: Learners's Permit (Age 15):Must complete 30 hours of classroom instruction and 8 hours behind the wheel driving instruction. Intermediate License (Age 16):Must have completed the Learners's Permit requirements. Pass the on-road drivers test, and have the Learner's Permit for at least 90 days. Full License (Age 17):Must successfully complete Learner's Permit and Intermediate License stages OR Minimum 17 years of age prior to application for the first time.
Maine
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: Learner must have permit for six months, be 16, and have 35 practice hours. Only immediate family and no driving from midnight to 5am for six months or reaching age 18, whichever is sooner. Under 18 may not use cell phone while driving.
Maryland
Learners Permit: 15 Years, 9 Months
Restricted License: 16 Years, 6 months
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: Learner must hold permit for six months and log 60 practice hours. Anyone under 18 years of age with a provisional license may not carry passengers under 18 for the first 151 days of having the license or drive between midnight and 5am. In Maryland, all new drivers regardless of age hold a provisional license for 18 months, but for adult drivers, the passenger and time restrictions do not apply (however the enhanced penalties do.)
Massachusetts
Learners Permit: 16 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: Learner must complete driver's education, hold their permit for six months incident free (no accidents, no citations, no warnings), and log 40 practice hours with a licensed driver over 21. Junior operators cannot drive between 12:30am and 5am unless accompanied by their parent or legal guardian and Massachusetts law provides no exceptions for employment, education, or medical reasons. Additionally, junior operators cannot drive with passengers under the age of 18 (except immediate family members) unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 within the first 6 months of obtaining a License. The Massachusetts JOL law also takes a zero-tolerance stance towards speeding, drivers under 18 caught speeding are subject to a mandatory 90 day suspension for the first offense accompanied by a mandatory road rage education class and a mandatory retake of the both permit and road tests. A one year revocation is mandatory for the second and each subsequent offense.
Michigan
Learners Permit: 14 Years, 9 Months
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 17 Years
Notes: Learner must reach age 16, have permit for six months, and log 50 practice hours. To obtain a Level 1 License (Learner's Permit) the learner is required to complete Segment 1 of a Driver's Education Course. A Level 2 License (Junior License) permits the holder to drive unaccompanied except between the hours of midnight and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 or driving to or from employment.
Minnesota
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: Permit must be held for six months and learner must reach age 16 and log 30 practice hours. No cell phone usage before age 18, all passengers must wear seat belts. Effective August 1, 2008: junior operators cannot drive with more than one minor passenger (except immediate family members) unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 within the first 6 months of obtaining a License. Driving curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. for first 6 months. Exceptions to these rules are traveling from home to place of employment, school, school events that offer no transportation, or other employment reasons.
Mississippi
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 16 Years, 6 months
Notes: Must hold a learner's permit for 1 year before applying for an intermediate license, and is restricted for use between hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Missouri
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: 40 hours of driving instruction are required including 10 hours at night and reaching of age 16 and holding the permit for six months to be eligible for the restricted license. Restrictions include no driving between 1am and 5am unless required for school and work. Exceptions include school envents and driving to and from place to place. limitations of 1 passenger under 19 for the first six months after the license is issued and 3 passengers thereafter, and there must be no traffic or alcohol offenses for one year to advance to the full license.
Montana
Learners Permit: 14 Years, 6 Months
Restricted License: 15 years
Full License: 16 Years
Notes: Permit must be held for six months. Learner must log 50 practice hours. No driving from 11pm to 5am for one year. No more than one passenger under 18 for first six months. No more than 3 passengers under 18 for second six months.
Nebraska
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 17 Years
Notes: Learner must log 50 hours of practice, hold permit for six months, and reach age 16. Only one passenger under 19 allowed for first six months. No driving from midnight to 6am for one year.
Nevada
Learners Permit: 15 Years, 6 Months
Restricted License: 16 years
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: Learner must have 50 practice hours and hold permit for six months. Underage drivers may not transport passengers under 18 for the first six months of being licensed, and may not drive between 10pm and 5am until they turn 18 (except with a letter from a school official or employer.) Additional restrictions apply in Las Vegas and Reno.
New Hampshire
Learners Permit: 15 Years, 6 Months
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 18 Years
Notes:
Learner's Permit - No formal learner's permit is required in NH, 15-1/2 year olds may drive so long as they are accompanied by a licensed driver aged 25 or older.
Restricted License - "Youth Operator Licenses" are issued to those between 16 and 21 years of age and expire when the person turns 21 years old (although drivers may operate unrestricted after they reach their 18th birthday). 16 and 17 years old applicants must obtain written consent from a parent or legal guardian, and a certificate of successful completion of a driver education course as provided in RSA 263:19. Youth Operators under 18 years are restricted from operating a motor vehicle in the following manner: between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.; the number of occupants exceeds the number of safety restraints in the vehicle; during the first 6 months after issuance of the license with more than one passenger less than 25 years of age who is not a member of the holder's family unless accompanied by a licensed responsible adult who is at least 25 years of age.
The director of motor vehicles can issue a hardship license for a person between 16 and 18 who hasn't completed a driver's education course, if there is no readily available means of transportation exist to and from a school and the license requirements of RSA 263:14 would cause an undue hardship.
New Jersey
Learners Permit: 16 years
Restricted License: 17 Years
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: Learner must reach age 17 and have had a permit for six months. No driving between 12:01 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. or driving with more than one, non family member under 18 for one year until age 18.
New Mexico
Learners Permit: 15 Yerars
Restricted License: 15 Years, 6 Months
Full License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Notes: Learner must log 50 hours of practice and hold permit for six months. No driving from midnight to 5am and no more than one passenger under age 21 for one year after receiving license.
New York
Learners Permit: 16 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Full License: 17 years (with education, otherwise 18)
Notes: The NY DMV divides the state into three regions: New York City, Long Island, and "All Other Counties."
NYC has the toughest regulations of the regions, requiring an instructor's brake to be installed, and the accompanying driver must be a parent or professional instructor (driving school/driver's ed teacher). Driving alone is prohibited until the driver gets a full driver license. On a junior license, driving is only permitted when accompanied by a parent or professional instructor. On Long Island, a Junior License grants permission to drive only to/for school, employment, day care, sports or a medical appointment; all other driving must be with a parent, professional instructor or someone over 21 who, in writing, has permission from the driver's parent to instruct the driver. No driving is permitted between 9 PM and 5 AM, even if accompanied. For the remainder of New York State, a Limited Junior License can be acquired to drive to employment, day care, or a medical appointment, without time restrictions. Other driving must be under the supervision of a licensed driver over 21; between 9 PM and 5 AM, this person must be a parent or professional instructor. Standard junior licenses (Class "DJ") grants permission to drive without accompaniment from 5 AM to 9 PM, though it carries restrictions on how many passengers may be carried. All other times, one needs supervision from a parent or professional driving instructor.
Driver's Education is not required in New York State; a 5-hour pre-licensing course will suffice to obtain a license. For 17-year-olds, a junior license (class "DJ") will be converted to a senior license (Class "D") if the driver brings a Driver's Ed Certificate of Completion to the road test or DMV. Otherwise, it will be converted on the driver's 18th birthday.
North Carolina
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: Learner's permit must be held for six months before obtaining a restricted license; Restricted license holders cannot drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless attending a school event (including sporting events, school dances, school concerts etc.), employment or accompanied by license holder over 21.
North Dakota
Learners Permit: 14 Years
Restricted License: 14 Years, 6 Months
Full License: 16 Years
Notes: Those under 16 who have a license may only drive a car that is their parents' or a car with dual controls. Licensed drivers under the age of 16 may not drive with more passengers than the vehicle manufacturer's suggested capacity.
Ohio
Learners Permit: 15 Years, 6 Months
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: Learner must log 50 practice hours and hold permit for six months, if under 18. Those who are 15 1/2 with a valid learners permit may only drive with a parent or a drivers education instructor with a valid driver license. Those who are 16 and over with a learners permit may drive with anyone who is over 21 with a valid driver license. Drivers under 18 must complete driver's education. 18 and over have no permit hold time, driver education or practice time requirements.
Under 17 either with a learner's permit or a driver license cannot drive between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m., under 18 either with a learner's permit or a driver license cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Drivers under 17 may only have one non-family member under the age of 21 in the car; no restrictions on family members or those over 21. 18 and over have full license privileges and have no time or passenger restrictions.
Oklahoma
Learners Permit: 15 Years, 6 Months
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 16 years, 6 months (with perfect driving record for first six months, if not, 18 years)
Notes: Learner must have 40 practice hours and hold permit for six months. Intermediate drivers cannot drive more than a single passenger of any age (family excluded) or drive between 11pm and 5am for the first six months or until age 18, whichever is sooner. A single traffic violation will extend the intermediate phase until the driver turns 18.
Oregon
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: Learner must be 16, have had permit for six months and have 50 practice hours. Driving between midnight and 5am is prohibited during the first year of holding the license. No passengers under 20 for the first six months of being licensed (except family members.) For another six months, no more than three passengers under 20.
Pennsylvania
Learners Permit: 16 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Full License: 17 years, 6 months (with perfect driving record for first year, if not, 18 years)
Notes: Those with a learner's permit must drive with an adult 21 years of age or older. The adult the learner's permit holder is driving with must have a valid driver's license in any U.S. state or the District of Columbia. It is required that a permit holder doesn't only get practice driving in perfect conditions, but also with driving at night and driving in inclement weather. Permit holders are also required to get practice driving on limited-access highways. A classroom driver's education course may be taken by 10th grade students in Pennsylvania, since that is the year when most students will turn 16 years old and will be getting their permit. Permit must be held for six months and the holder must log 50 practice hours before issuance of restricted license. Those with a restricted license may not drive between 11pm and 5am. Exceptions to this curfew include school-sponsored events, religious events, work, and volunteer firefighters. No passenger restrictions, other than the number of seatbelts may not be less than the number of passengers. A person may obtain an unrestricted license after one year if he/she completes a driver's education course and has no moving violations. Otherwise, it automatically becomes an unrestricted license on the learner's 18th birthday.
Rhode Island
Learners Permit: 16 years
Restricted License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Full License: 17 Years, 6 Months
Notes: Learner must hold permit for six months and have 50 practice hours. Junior operator under the age of 18 may not drive between the hours of 1am and 5am or carry more than one passenger under age 21 for one year or until they turn 18, whichever is sooner.
South Carolina
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 15 Years, 6 Months
Full License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Notes: Driving between 6 AM and 12 AM during standard time, A 17 year old may apply for this on a restricted license.
South Dakota
Learners Permit: 14 Years
Restricted License: 14 years, 3 months (with driver's education, otherwise 14 years, 6 months)
Full License: 16 years
Notes: Learner can either take driver training and hold permit for three months or not take the course and hold permit for six months. Under 16 may not drive from 10pm to 6am.
Tennessee
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 17 Years
Notes: Learner must have permit for six months and log 50 hours of practice driving. No driving from 11pm to 5am or more than one passenger for one year or until reaching age 18, whichever is sooner.
Texas
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Notes: Learner's must complete the classroom portion of driver training to receive a permit. Permit must be held for six months and learner must reach age 16 to get restricted license. Drivers with a restricted license may drive with no more than one other person under the age of 21, may not drive from 10pm to 5am, and cannot use a cell phone while driving for the first 6 months.
Utah
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Notes: Drivers under 17 may not drive between 12 AM and 5 AM. If under 18, must hold learner permit for six months and log 40 practice hours. Under 18, for the first six months no passengers that are not immediate family members; unless there is a licensed driver 21 years or older, or driver reaches age 18.
Vermont
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Notes: Learner must hold permit for one year and log 40 practice hours. Junior operators may not carry any passengers (including siblings) for the first 90 days after receiving their license, and immediate family members only for the second three months (passenger restrictions are waived if accompanied by a parent or another licensed adult aged 25 or older).
Virginia
Learners Permit: 15 Years, 6 Months
Restricted License: 16 Years, 3 Months
Full License: 18 Years
Notes: Learner must hold permit for nine months and log 45 supervised driving hours. Under 18 may not carry more than one minor passenger for the first six months of being licensed and no more than three passengers until reaching age 18. All minors subject to a curfew between 12:00-4:00AM until reaching age 18.
Washington
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 17 years (with perfect driving record for first year, or if not, 18 years)
Notes: Learner must reach age 16, hold permit for six months, and log 50 hours of practice driving. For the first 6 months, no driving with passengers under the age of 20 unless they are members of immediate family. For the next 6 months no driving with more than 3 passengers who are under 20 years old who are not members of the learner's immediate family. For the first year, no driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless with a licensed driver age 25 or older. After 2 violations of the restrictions, the driver's license is suspended for 6 months or until their 18th birthday (whichever is sooner). Also, a single traffic violation will extend the second phase (no more than three passengers under 20 and still no driving from 1am to 5am) until age 18 if license had not been held for one year before the traffic violation.
Washington, D.C.
Learners Permit: 16 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Full License: 17 Years
Notes: Learner's permit must be held for six months. Learner must have 40 practice hours. Restrictions are lifted after six months or reaching age 21, whichever is sooner. Driver will receive enhanced penalties for violations until reaching age 21.
West Virginia
Learners Permit: 15 Years
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 17 Years
Notes: Learner must reach age 16, hold permit for six months, and log 50 hours of practice or take driver education. No under age 19 or driving from 10pm to 5am for one year.
Wisconsin
Learners Permit: 15 Years, 6 Months
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 16 Years, 9 Months
Notes: Learner must hold permit for six months and log 30 hours of practice. Passenger and nighttime driving restrictions removed after 9 months, or upon reaching the age of 18 whichever is sooner. License holder is subject to enhanced penalties until they have three years of experience, or reach the age of 21, whichever comes sooner. However, people who are at least 14 years of age with a necessity to drive may apply for a special permit as long as it can be proven that the motor vehicle can be operated in a safe manner by the minor.
Wyoming
Learners Permit: 14 Years, 6 Months
Restricted License: 16 Years
Full License: 16 Years, 6 Months
Notes: Learner must reach age 16 and log 50 practice hours. No more than one passenger under 18 or driving from 11pm to 5am for the first six months or until reaching age 17, whichever is sooner.