Learning to drive is a rite of passage for every young American. Yet it doesn’t come without risks. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), teenagers have the highest fatal crash rate of any age group.
Many forget that every state has the right to determine their legal driving age, with states like Alaska allowing teens as young as 14 to receive a learner’s permit. Some say these more liberal-minded states are part of the reason why the IIHS reported that 2,883 teens died in motor vehicle crashes in 2022.
Sadly, many of these accidents lead to legal action, with families seeking justice through experienced Austin car crash lawyers who specialize in teen driving accidents.
With that in mind, we’re going to discuss each state’s driving age and some of the issues surrounding teen drivers.
Key Takeaways
Every state is entitled to set their own driving age limits, including access to each stage of their respective graduated driver licensing programs.
Teens may receive a learner’s permit as early as 14 in states like Alaska, whereas others require waiting until you’re 16 or 17.
Learner’s permits only entitle you to supervised driving with a licensed adult above the age of 21 sitting in the passenger seat.
Provisional driving license holders may ride unsupervised but face restrictions like nighttime driving curfews and passenger limits.
Full driving license holders can drive without any restrictions but are still required to follow the rules of the road in their respective states.
The process of getting your full unrestricted license involves completing written tests, a skills test, filing a formal application, and paying the required fees. Exact requirements vary depending on the state.
If you’re involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, speak to an attorney for more information on how you can pursue a fair settlement.
Driving Ages: State-by-State Breakdown
Untangling the array of restrictions per start is challenging because each state doesn’t just have minimum ages for full driving licenses, intermediate (restricted) licenses, and learners’ permits. Below, we provide a complete breakdown of where each state stands.
| State | Learner's Permit | Intermediate License | Full License |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Alaska | 14 | 16 | 16.5 |
| Arizona | 15.5 | 16 | 16.5 |
| Arkansas | 14 | 16 | 18 |
| California | 15.5 | 16 | 17 |
| Colorado | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Connecticut | 16 | 16.3 | 18 |
| Delaware | 16 | 16.5 | 17 |
| District of Columbia | 16 | 16.5 | 18 |
| Florida | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Georgia | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Hawaii | 15.5 | 16 | 17 |
| Illinois | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Indiana | 15 | 16.25 | 18 |
| Iowa | 14 | 16 | 17 |
| Kansas | 14 | 16 | 16.5 |
| Kentucky | 16 | 16.5 | 17 |
| Louisiana | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Maine | 15 | 16 | 16.75 |
| Maryland | 15.75 | 16.5 | 18 |
| Massachusetts | 16 | 16.5 | 18 |
| Michigan | 14.75 | 16 | 17 |
| Minnesota | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Mississippi | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Missouri | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Montana | 14.5 | 15 | 16 |
| Nebraska | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Nevada | 15.5 | 16 | 18 |
| New Hampshire | 15.5 | 16 | 17.08 |
| New Jersey | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| New Mexico | 15 | 15.5 | 16.5 |
| New York | 16 | 16.5 | 18 |
| North Carolina | 15 | 16 | 16.5 |
| North Dakota | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| Ohio | 15.5 | 16 | 18 |
| Oklahoma | 15.5 | 16 | 17 |
| Oregon | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 16.5 | 18 |
| Rhode Island | 16 | 16.5 | 17.5 |
| South Carolina | 15 | 15.5 | 16.5 |
| South Dakota | 14 | 14.25 | 16 |
| Tennessee | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Texas | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Utah | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Vermont | 15 | 16 | 16.5 |
| Virginia | 15.5 | 16.25 | 18 |
| Washington | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| West Virginia | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Wisconsin | 15.5 | 16 | 16.75 |
| Wyoming | 15 | 16 | 16.5 |
Common Driving Restrictions for Young Drivers
Intermediate licenses usually have extra driving restrictions that don’t apply to ordinary adult drivers. These are often the second stages of each state’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) programs designed to mitigate the risk younger, more inexperienced drivers face.
Naturally, each state may have its own restrictions. Likewise, some states may apply blanket bans to young drivers based on age, rather than where they are in the GDL hierarchy.
Nighttime Driving Curfews
Many states ban younger drivers from driving between certain hours. According to a MoneyGeek analysis, 9% of driving occurs between sunset and sunrise, yet 49% of fatal accidents occur at this time.
It’s not difficult to see why, with drunk drivers, more speeding, and limited law enforcement presence. That’s why young drivers may be banned from driving between 10 pm and 5 am or may only be able to drive if accompanied by a licensed adult.
Passenger Restrictions for New Drivers
Distracted driving is an enormous factor in motor vehicle accidents, but the teen demographic is especially problematic. According to the Department of Transportation, 4,011 people were killed in crashes involving distracted teen drivers in 2022.
States have tackled this with passenger restrictions on new drivers. These restrictions may include the number of passengers and their age group. In some states, this restriction applies to new drivers for a predetermined period regardless of age.
Mobile Phone Usage Restrictions
Many states place total bans on teens using cell phones in their vehicles, including texting while driving. However, with the CDC reporting that 400 people die each year because of texting and driving, many of these restrictions now apply to all drivers regardless of the situation.
For example, Texas has a total ban on texting and driving. If you’re caught, you can be pulled over and issued a citation.
Future Trends: Changes to Driving Age Laws
Driving age laws are changing, but not in one direction. Several states have already introduced legislation to lower their minimum driving ages, whereas some intend to raise them or add extra restrictions on young drivers.
Interestingly, the trend of obtaining a driving license has dropped heavily among younger Millennials and Generation Z’ers. According to The Hill, the share of teens with driving licenses in 1995 was 65%, but this has dropped to less than 40% as of 2021.
Here are some examples of changes to driving age laws.
Kentucky
Kentucky introduced legislation in March 2025 to lower the driving age from 16 to 15 for teens seeking a learner’s permit. Supporters of the bill claim that it would give teens more time to practice their driving skills. Note that this bill doesn’t change the existing age for receiving a full driving license.
Pennsylvania
Two years ago, Pennsylvania introduced a bill to reduce their learner’s permit age from 16 to 15. The justification for the bill followed the same line of thinking as Kentucky’s current attempt at bringing in the same changes. The Commonwealth decided not to pass the bill, though, and no further attempts have been made.
New Jersey
New Jersey advanced legislation in December 2023 to require teen drivers to accumulate 50 hours of practice, with ten hours at night, before they are eligible for a full driving license. Eventually, this bill was passed, and the Garden State’s new rules came into force in February 2025.
The idea behind these extra requirements was to help teens improve their driving skills and reduce the number of crashes involving teen drivers throughout the state.
What is the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program?
Graduated Driver Licensing programs are designed to provide a gradual introduction to driving for young and inexperienced drivers. Rather than allowing full driving privileges immediately, these programs aim to instill confidence and experience in young drivers to reduce accident rates.
Like age limits for states, each state has adopted graduated license programs and may decide how their GDL programs work and the various requirements and restrictions associated with each level.
Stages of GDL: Learner’s Permit, Intermediate License, and Full License
GDL systems are multi-stage programs that begin with a learner’s permit and finish with a full driving license. Until you receive your full license, you’ll always experience restrictions, such as nighttime curfews, passenger restrictions, and zero tolerance on alcohol use.
Since there’s no standardization among state GDL programs, we’ll use Texas’ GDL as an example. For more information on your state, look up your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website.
Stage One – Learner’s Permit
The first stage is the learner’s permit, or learner license. In Texas, these are issued to drivers between the ages of 15 and 17 after completing an approved driver education course. Drivers with a permit may drive with a licensed adult of 21 years old or older sitting in the passenger seat.
In the Lone Star State, you must reach the age of 16 and hold your learner’s permit for at least six months before you can receive your provisional or intermediate license. Unsurprisingly, you must also retain a squeaky clean driving record to move to the next stage.
Stage Two – Intermediate License
Your intermediate license, also known as a provisional license, allows you to drive unsupervised with restrictions. Texas law states that for the first 12 months, you can’t drive with more than one passenger under 21 who isn’t a direct family member.
Provisional license holders under 18 can’t use wireless communication devices, including hands-free ones. Moreover, they’re banned from driving between midnight and 5 am for purposes other than work, school, or a medical emergency. This applies until you turn 18, where you can then receive a full license.
Other states may introduce various other restrictions, such as:
More extended nighttime curfews
Stricter passenger limitations
Zero alcohol tolerance
Cell phone ban
Mandatory seatbelt use
Stage Three – Full Driving License
A regular driver's license is a full adult license and requires you to be at least 18 years old in Texas, regardless of how early you received your learner’s permit and provisional license. It’s the standard driving license every legal adult has, allowing you to drive without restrictions.
Note that just because you’ve got a normal driving license doesn’t mean you don’t have to drive with care, follow all each state's own driving laws, and treat others with respect. Rack up too many violations and you could find your license suspended or outright revoked.
How to Navigate the Process of Obtaining a Driver’s License
Obtaining a driving license is a long road for any teenager. Obtaining a learner’s permit and provisional license comes with their own requirements. How old you are will determine which road you’ll have to go down and the potential waiting period.
Again, the process of obtaining a driving license depends heavily on the state because every GDL program differs. Let’s investigate how the process works from unlicensed to a full driving license in Texas.
Getting Your Learner’s Permit
Anyone who wants to drive in Texas must obtain a learner’s permit first. Although the permit is primarily designed for teen drivers, anyone can get a learner’s permit. All teens must hold a learner’s permit for at least six months until they can move to the next level.
Adults, even if they’ve never driven before, can skip this step. However, getting one is still recommended because it’s a chance to learn alongside a licensed driver before taking the skills test.
Unlike for teens, there’s no mandatory waiting period for adults. In other words, you can get a learner’s permit and take the driving skills test tomorrow if you want.
Step One – Complete a Driver Education Course
All applicants for the learner’s permit must complete a driver education course approved by the state. During the course, you’ll receive a combination of classroom learning and behind-the-wheel training.
If you want to get ahead of the curve, this course is based on the Texas Driver Handbook published by the Department of Public Safety. Teens can complete this course online if they choose and receive a DE-964 Certificate of Completion.
Step Two – Complete Your Application
The next step is to prepare for your exam and complete your application. Before you can visit your nearest DPS office, you’ll need to gather several documents. Here’s what you’ll need:
Driver education completion certificate
Proof of ID
Verification of Enrollment (VOE)
Social Security Number
Proof of Texas residency
Proof of auto insurance
You’ll also need to fill out and complete a DL-14A form, which is the driver license application form.
Step Three – Pass the Knowledge Exam
With your documents in hand, it’s time to visit your closest DPS office. Schedule an appointment in advance and tell them you want to take the knowledge test. The knowledge test is essentially an examination of whether you understand road signs and Texas’ traffic laws.
Additionally, you may be asked to complete a basic vision screening. Unless you’ve got seriously bad eyesight, this is nothing more than a formality.
Step Four – Pay Your Fees
The knowledge exam and application isn’t free. In Texas, the price ranges from $15 to $33, depending on your chosen DPS office. Some counties are more expensive than others. You can pay by cash, check, or debit card.
Assuming you’ve passed the knowledge exam and your vision screening doesn’t flag up anything unexpected, you’ll receive your learner’s permit. You can usually receive your learner’s permit on the same day.
Getting Your Provisional Driver License
Teens who have held their learner’s permit for six months and have a clean driving record can move to the next stage in the GDL program. This is where you’ll receive your provisional license, allowing you to drive unsupervised for the first time.
Follow these three steps to qualify for your intermediate license.
Step One – Gather Documents for Your Application
Like applying for a learner’s permit, you must gather documentation for your provisional license application. The documents you’ll need include:
Proof of ID
Social Security Number proof
Two documents proving residency in Texas
DL-14A application
Proof of completion of an approved driver’s education course
Proof of completion from the Impact Texas Teen Driver Program (ITTD)
Step Two – Complete a Driving Test
You’ll need to complete a driving skills test to receive your provisional license. Schedule an appointment with your nearest DPS office or approved third-party provider. The test will involve assessing the basics of traffic and following traffic laws.
Some of the maneuvers you’ll be asked to do as part of the test include:
Turning
Braking
Lane changes
Parking
You’ll need to bring your own vehicle, so ensure it’s in good condition and has a valid registration and auto insurance policy.
Step Three – Finish the ITTD Program
The ITTD program is a requirement for all teen drivers but not adults. It’s a free course and takes place entirely online. Expect to spend around two hours finishing the program. It’s designed to show the dangers associated with distracted driving. With the National Safety Council revealing that one in six crashes involve a distracted driver, the Lone Star State decided to make this program mandatory.
You'll receive your intermediate license after showing your ITTD program completion certificate.
Getting Your Full Driving License
Provisional licenses come with restrictions, but a full driving license provides the unrestricted driving privileges you want and signals the end of your participation in Texas’ GDL program. As long as you’ve kept a clean driving record and met all the requirements, you’ll have the chance to get your full license the day you turn 18.
If you’ve already got a provisional license, there’s no driving test involved to get your unrestricted driver's license. All you have to do is gather the necessary documents, finish a vision test, pay the fees, and wait for your permanent license to arrive within a few weeks.
Even better, once you’ve filed your application, you don’t need to wait before you can drive with a full license. Your closest DPS office will give you a temporary paper license on the same day.
What are the Legal Consequences of Underage or Unlicensed Driving?
Violating the rules on underage and unlicensed driving depends on the state. In Texas, you’re liable to be charged with a Class A misdemeanor, but some states, including Illinois, may classify it as a Class B misdemeanor.
Naturally, this assumes that you’re simply caught driving underage without a license. If you cause an accident, the penalties can be far more severe. Generally, in Texas, a first-time offender will receive a maximum $200 fine, but this can rise to up to $4,000 and one year in jail if you cause an accident resulting in injury or death.
The legal consequences often depend on how often you’re caught. Here’s what the state of play is for unlicensed drivers:
First-Time Offenders – A fine of up to $200.
Second-Time Offenders – A fine of up to $200, if it occurs within 12 months of the original offense.
Third-Time Offenders – A fine of p to $500 and up to six months in county jail.
All of this assumes that no accident is involved, which can see your misdemeanor upgraded to a Class A misdemeanor. In extreme cases, you may even be charged with a felony, if your conduct is severe enough.
Understand that other consequences young drivers might face include being unable to advance to the next stage of the GDL program, suspended driving privileges, and increased auto insurance premiums.
When Can a Minor Be Held Liable in a Car Accident?
Minors can be held liable for a car accident. However, in Texas, minors and their parents can be held liable jointly, especially if the minor’s conduct was considered reckless and the parents were considered negligent in allowing the minor to drive.
Obviously, minors aren’t adults and cannot enter into contracts and there’s a fair chance that the vast majority of minors have no assets to pursue if you file a lawsuit. If the minor is insured, any injured party may claim through their insurer.
However, injured parties can sue a minor’s parents or guardians. The concept of parental liability differs in every state. Plus, parental liability isn’t automatically a factor in every accident.
You must prove that the parents knew or should have known that their child was incompetent or reckless behind the wheel. So, how do you establish negligence in this scenario?
The goal is to prove that the parents were negligent in allowing their child to drive. For example, they may have been allowed to drive even though they only held a learner’s permit, which prohibits unsupervised driving. Likewise, they may have something in their record that would have made a parent-requested restricted license more suitable.
Proving parental liability can be tricky, so hiring an experienced car accident attorney is essential for ensuring you aren’t left out of pocket because of a negligent teen driver.
What Should Young Drivers Do After a Car Accident?
All young drivers have a duty of care to others. What you do after a car accident will impact issues like shared fault, your health, and any future insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits. Your actions at the accident scene are crucial, so here’s what to do if you’re involved in an accident:
Get help if you or someone else has been seriously injured and requires immediate roadside medical attention.
Call 911 and ask for a traffic officer to attend.
Exchange contact and insurance details with other parties, as this is required by law.
Take photos of the scene using your phone to gather evidence that can be used to support your claim later.
Once an officer has attended and filled out a police crash report, head to your nearest ER to get checked out. Even if you feel fine, an examination is vital to rule out any internal injuries that may not show any symptoms.
Notify your auto insurance provider about your accident. The terms and conditions of your policy will mandate that you’re required to report your crash within 24-72 hours.
Your final step is to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your options. Enlisting legal help as early as possible ensures that your rights are asserted and you don’t fall for the bad-faith tricks of insurance adjusters.
At DJC Law, we specialize in supporting Texans injured in collisions through no fault of their own. Get your free consultation to find out how much your case could be worth by contacting a member of our team today.
