Getting your driver’s license is a big milestone for many teens. It means more freedom, more responsibility, and the chance to get behind the wheel on your own. But the rules about when you can start driving aren’t the same everywhere. Each state sets its own driving age, and the steps to getting a license can look a little different depending on where you live. Here’s a breakdown of the driving ages in each state and what kind of license you can get at each stage.
Driving Age by State
The table below shows different ages for learner’s permits, restricted licenses, and full licenses by state. Please check your state’s DMV website to get the most accurate information about age requirements. Different states use different definitions for learner’s permits and restricted licenses, and there are many factors that might influence the minimum age requirements.
While the information below is mostly accurate, there is a chance that some of it has become outdated. We try our best to update this table of driving age by state.
| State | Learner’s Permit | Restricted License | Full License |
| Alabama | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Alaska | 14 y 6 m | 16 | 16 y 6 m |
| Arizona | 15 y 6 m | 16 | 16 y 6 m |
| Arkansas | 14 | 16 | 18 |
| California | 15 y 6 m | 16 | 17 |
| Colorado | 15 y 6 m | 16 | 17 |
| Connecticut | 16 | 16 y 4 m | 18 |
| Delaware | 16 | 16 y 6 m | 17 |
| D.C. | 16 | 16 y 6 m | 18 |
| Florida | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Georgia | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Hawaii | 15 y 6 m | 16 | 17 |
| Idaho | 14 y 6 m | 15 | 16 |
| Illinois | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Indiana | 15 | 16 y 6 m | 18 |
| Iowa | 14 | 16 | 17 |
| Kansas | 14 | 16 | 16 y 6 m |
| Kentucky | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Louisiana | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Maine | 15 | 16 | 16 y 9 m |
| Maryland | 15 y 9 m | 16 y 6 m | 18 |
| Massachusetts | 16 | 16 y 6 m | 18 |
| Michigan | 14 y 8 m | 15 | 17 |
| Minnesota | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Mississippi | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Missouri | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Montana | 14 y 6 m | 15 | 16 |
| Nebraska | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Nevada | 15 y 6 m | 16 | 18 |
| New Hampshire | 15 y 6 m | 16 | 18 |
| New Jersey | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| New Mexico | 15 | 15 y 6 m | 18 |
| New York | 16 | 16 y 6 m | 18 |
| North Carolina | 15 | 16 | 16 |
| North Dakota | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| Ohio | 15 y 6 m | 16 | 17 |
| Oklahoma | 15 y 6 m | 16 | 18 |
| Oregon | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Pennsylvania | 16 | 16 | 18 |
| Rhode Island | 15 | 16 y 6 m | 17 y 6 m |
| South Carolina | 14 | 15 y 6 m | 17 |
| South Dakota | 14 | 14 y 6 m | 16 |
| Tennessee | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Texas | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Utah | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| Vermont | 15 | 16 y 3 m | 16 y 6 m |
| Virginia | 15 y 6 m | 16 y 3 m | 18 |
| Washington | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| West Virginia | 15 y 6 m | 16 | 18 |
| Wisconsin | 15 | 16 | 16 y 6 m |
| Wyoming | 15 | 16 y 6 m | 18 |
Different types of Driver’s Licenses
Before getting your full driver’s license, there are a few steps along the way. Most states use a process called graduated licensing, which means young drivers earn more freedom over time. Here’s a quick look at the three main types of driver’s licenses teens can get as they learn to drive.
Learner’s Permit
This is usually the first license a teen can get. A learner’s permit allows you to drive, but only with certain rules. For example, you often need to drive with a parent, guardian, or licensed adult in the car. You can use this time to practice and get comfortable behind the wheel. Most states require teens to pass a written test before getting a learner’s permit.
Restricted License
After practicing with a learner’s permit and meeting your state’s requirements, you may qualify for a restricted license. This type of license lets you drive without an adult, but there are still some limits. For example, you may not be allowed to drive late at night or have too many young passengers in the car. These rules are meant to keep new drivers safe while they gain experience.
Full License
A full driver’s license gives you the same driving rights as any adult driver. To get one, you usually need to meet age requirements, hold a restricted license for a certain amount of time, and stay free of serious driving violations. Once you have a full license, you no longer have special restrictions—though safe driving is always the rule!
What Age Can You Get Your Driver’s License?
A full, unrestricted license is typically available at age 18, though some states allow it earlier if you’ve had enough safe driving experience. In most states, you can get a learner’s permit as early as 15 or 16, which lets you start practicing with an adult in the car. A restricted or intermediate license usually comes next, often around age 16 or 17. This allows you to drive on your own but with some rules, like no driving late at night or limits on who can ride with you.
Driver’s Education for Teens
Driver’s education, often called driver’s ed, teaches you how to drive safely and responsibly. Generally, it is a mix of classroom lessons and behind-the-wheel practice. Many teens take driver’s ed through their school, a local driving school, or online programs approved by their state. Students who take driver’s ed are often better prepared for both the written and driving tests. They also learn valuable information about driving safety and car maintenance such as filling up a gas tank. Additionally, insurance companies may offer discounts for teens who have completed a driver’s ed course.
The requirements for driver’s ed vary depending on where you live. In some states, it’s mandatory for all teen drivers before they can get a learner’s permit or restricted license. For example, California requires teens under 17 and a half years old to complete a driver’s ed course before getting a permit. In other states like Florida, you can get a permit without taking driver’s ed, but it’s still strongly recommended. Some states allow online courses, while others require in-person classes or even driving practice with a certified instructor. It’s important to check your state’s rules so you know exactly what’s expected.