Teen Driver’s Getting Their License
For teens looking to get their driver’s license through their motor vehicle division or department, whether it be the DMV, MVD, DPS, MVA, DOR, or SOS, you will need to meet the teen driving requirements set by your state.
Often times, your state will have a graduated driver’s license (GDL) program, but in any case, you will usually need to:
- Finish driver’s education.
- Apply for your learner’s permit.
- Get your provisional license.
- Move up to your official driver’s license.
With each step, you’ll learn more about what it takes to be a responsible driver, and you’ll learn the skills and know-how that will allow you to pass both your written and road tests to get your official driver’s license.
Because of a high rate of car accidents involving teen drivers, many states now have a GDL program and other teen-specific laws that help teenagers become better drivers through plenty of driving experience that teaches safety, defensive driving, and avoiding the pitfalls of irresponsible driving.
On your state’s webpage, you’ll find specific information regarding the young driver laws and everything you will need (documents, fees, certificates) to bring with you when you go in to get a learner’s permit, provisional license, and official driver’s license.
Restrictions on Learner’s Permits and Provisional Licenses
Each state’s motor vehicle department will have varying young driver laws, but some of the common requirements will be the following:
- Completion of a driver’s education course.
- Professional behind-the-wheel training.
- Consent from a parent or guardian.
- Supervised driving hours with an adult who has a license in good standing. (Learner’s permit stage)
- Successfully passing your road test.
- Unsupervised driving practice with your provisional license.
- Limited driving times.
- Limitations on how many passengers are allowed in your vehicle.
- Only family members may ride with you.
In most cases, your state will require that you keep your learner’s permit and provisional license in good standing for a specified time period, and they will require that you reach a certain age before you are able to take the next step in getting your official driver’s license.
Select your state below to get more information on the phases involved when trying to meet the requirements of your state’s teen driving program and finally get your very own official driver’s license!