Driver 's licenses in the United states - wikipedia Driver 's licenses in the United states In the United States of America, driver 's licenses are issued by each individual state, territories, and the federal district rather than by the federal government because of the concept of federalism. Drivers are normally required to obtain a license from their state of residence and all states recognize each other 's licenses for temporary visitors subject to normal age requirements. A state may also suspend an individual 's driving privilege within its borders for traffic violations. Many states share a common system of license classes, with some exceptions, e.g. commercial license classes are standardized by federal regulation at 49 C.F.R. 383. Contents 1 History 2 Standard and special licenses 3 Commercial Driver 's Licenses ( CDL ) 3.1 CDL endorsements 3.2 CDL restrictions 4 Foreign officials and diplomats 5 Drivers licensing laws 5.1 Licenses for adults and minors ; GDL laws 6 Decline in licensing among young people in the U.S. 7 Use as identification and proof of age 7.1 Non-driver identification cards 7.2 Real ID 7.3 Enhanced driver 's licenses 7.4 Digital driver 's licenses 8 See also 9 Notes 10 References History In 1899 Chicago and New York City were the first locales to require testing before being allowed to drive a motor vehicle. Massachusetts and Missouri were the first U.S. states to require a license for driving a motor vehicle in 1903 ; however, Missouri did not require testing before a license was granted. Pennsylvania 's 1909 licensing laws were the first to give an age restriction ( `` 18 years of age '' ) and the first state to allow 16 - year - olds to drive ( accompanied by a licensed driver ) was Connecticut in 1921. Standard and Special licenses Unrestricted Licenses are driver 's licenses that most American drivers have in order to drive. Various states differ on what class they utilize to distinguish between a typical driver 's license and special licenses, such as restricted, chauffeur, or motorcycle licenses. For instance, Tennessee designates Class D as a regular driver 's license, while Class M is a motorcycle license and Class H is a hardship license ( see below ). Hardship licenses for minors are driver 's licenses that are restricted to drivers between 14 and 15 ( sometimes up to 18 ) years old who need to drive to and from home and school due to serious hardships, e.g. the driver 's family has financial or medical problems ; the driver needs to get to work or school and has no other practical way of getting to work or school. A hardship license for minors is distinct from hardship licenses granted for drivers with revoked or suspended licenses. The table below includes states that provide hardship licenses for minors. Provisional Licenses are functionally the same as a driver 's license, but are typically issued to new drivers under the age of 18, i.e. 14 -- 17 years old. Almost all states, with the exception of South Dakota, have some form of a graduated licensing provision ; however, the actual restrictions and the length of time a new driver must adhere to them vary widely by state. Restrictions frequently include : A curfew, after which night driving is not permitted ( unless 18 years of age, or if the individual has completed an online course ) without an adult present ( typically 11 p.m., like Pennsylvania, or 1 a.m., like Wisconsin ). However, some states ( e.g. North Carolina ) have curfews as early as 9 p.m. Some states such as New York provide exceptions for special situations, such as driving home from work or school functions, picking up family members, or for medical appointments, while others such as Massachusetts do not. Restrictions on the number of passengers under a specific age present in the vehicle. For example, in California, minors may not transport people under age 20 for the first 365 days of licensure unless said passengers are family members ( brother, sister, cousin, niece, nephew, or anyone who is 21 or had their license for 1 year or longer etc. ). Chauffeur Licenses are functionally the same as a passenger car license, but also allow the holder to drive a taxi, limo, or other livery vehicle for hire. Livery licensing in the United States is somewhat complicated. In the United States, chauffeur licenses are not considered commercial or professional driver 's licenses, and ( assuming the driver already holds a regular passenger license ) a road test is usually not required to convert it to a chauffeur license ; however, some states do require a short written exam on taxi - specific driving laws and / or a background check, and require the driver to be at least 18 years of age ( although many taxi companies will not hire drivers under 25 for insurance reasons ). This type of license is typically, though not universally, called `` Class E ''. Some states simply add an endorsement to a regular license, while others require no special permission at the state level to drive a taxi or limo. Florida once issued chauffeur licenses through its Class D licenses, a designation that was eliminated in 2006. Regardless of whether and how the state handles chauffeur licensing, a permit or license must always be obtained from the city, town, or county the driver will be operating in. Motorcycle Licenses covers motorcycles only ; frequently combined with a regular driver 's license. In some states this does not include some types of mopeds, scooters, or motorized bicycles, but with a wide variety of different state - by - state definitions for these vehicles. A common but not universal criterion is an engine displacement of 250 cc ( 15 cu in ) or less, but also wheel size, type of transmission, and more are sometimes used in the legal codes to distinguish mopeds and scooters from motorcycles. These vehicles sometimes do not require a motorcycle license, or in some states any license at all, as well as in some states avoiding insurance and registration requirements. Unlike EU states, no US state differentiates between low and full powered motorcycles for the purposes of licensing. Some states require an additional motorcycle license to operate a sidecar rig. Enhanced Licenses are issued to U.S. citizens in Washington, Vermont, Michigan, Minnesota, and New York, and establish nationality in addition to driving privileges. An EDL is a WHTI compliant document, acceptable for re-entering the United States via land and sea crossings from Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean. A U.S. Passport, birth certificate, or another document proving citizenship is required to apply for this type of license. Motorcycle and commercial driver 's licenses ( see above and below ) usually can also be issued as enhanced. Handicap Permits are issued to persons who meet the proper guidelines for requiring handicap driving and parking access. They are granted special access to improve their quality of life as a driver. In certain states, namely Texas, a handicapped person 's drivers license can be revoked based on their disability. Some states also have additional classifications. Hawaii, for example, has a separate license category for drivers who only operate mopeds, while some more northerly states have separate categories for snowmobiles and ATVs. South Carolina and Georgia have non-commercial versions of every commercial class license for agricultural purposes. Commercial driver 's licenses ( CDL ) Main article : Commercial Driver 's License Class C licenses are issued in all states, except Massachusetts, in both commercial and non-commercial status. A non-commercial Class C license may not be used for hire. Most recreational vehicles that do not fall into the class D / E category, such as converted buses, tractor, lawn mowers, or full size ( greater than 40 feet ( 12 m ) ) campers require a non-commercial Class C license and the corresponding permit from the state with which you reside. CDL endorsements Class A : Combination ( tractor plus trailer ) vehicle of 26,000 pounds ( 12,000 kg ) or more. Includes split ( coupled ) buses. Class B : Single ( straight ) vehicle of 26,000 pounds ( 12,000 kg ) or more ( includes most buses including articulated buses ). Also includes combination vehicles for commercial use weighing less than 26,000 lb. Class C : Commercial vehicle that does n't fit classes A or B, but is placarded for hazardous materials or is intended to carry more than 15 persons ( excluding Georgia. ) May include heavy - duty non-commercial vehicles with trailers capable of carrying over 16,000 pounds ( 7,300 kg ), and all vehicles that can carry over 16,000 pounds ( 7,300 kg ) but not more than 25,999 pounds ( 11,793 kg ). Professional drivers are usually required to add endorsements to their CDL in order to drive certain types of vehicles that require additional training, such as those equipped with air brakes. CDL endorsements requirements are mostly similar, but some vary slightly from state to state. The training and testing requirements are regulated by the US Department of Transportation. Endorsements are as follows : P : Passenger Transport ( buses carrying 16 or more persons, vans for hire carrying 11 or more persons in California ) H : Hazardous Materials ( requires a TSA background check as well as an extensive written exam. The driver must be a US Citizen or permanent lawful resident to obtain an H or X endorsement. ) M : Metal coil N : Tank Vehicles ( Required for carrying liquids in bulk. ) T : Double / Triple Trailers ( Road trains ) ( Class A licenses only. ) X : Hazardous Materials and Tank Combination L : Air Brakes S : School Bus ( In addition to a standard bus endorsement, more stringent TSA and CORI background checks are required. ) CDL restrictions Licenses can be restricted through any of the following ways : B : Corrective Lenses are required while operating a motor vehicle. C : A mechanical aid is required to operate a commercial vehicle. D: A prosthetic aid is required to operate a commercial vehicle. E : The driver may only operate a commercial vehicle with an automatic transmission. F : An outside mirror is required on the commercial vehicle. G : The driver of a commercial vehicle is only allowed to operate during daylight hours. K : Drivers are authorized to drive a commercial vehicle within the state of issue ( intrastate ) only. This restriction applies to any holder of a CDL license who is under 21 years old. L : Drivers are restricted from operating a commercial vehicle with air brakes. This restriction is issued when a driver either fails the air brake component of the general knowledge test or performs the CDL road skills test in a vehicle not equipped with air brakes. M : CDL - A holders may operate CDL - B school buses only. N : CDL - A and CDL - B holders may operate CDL - C school buses only. O : Driver limited to pintail hook trailers only. Z : Alcohol Interlock Device required in the commercial vehicle. T : 60 - day temporary license. Foreign officials and diplomats In a rare exception to states and territories issuing driver 's licenses, the State Department 's Office of Foreign Missions ( OFM ) issues driver 's licenses to foreign officials and diplomats, bypassing the states and territories in which they live. OFM - issued driver licenses are equivalent to a regular state - issued license. Drivers licensing laws The minimum age to obtain a restricted driver 's license in the United States varies from 14 years, three months in South Dakota to as high as 17 in New Jersey. In most states, with the exception of South Dakota, a graduated licensing law applies to newly licensed teenage drivers, going by names such as Provisional Driver, Junior Operator, Probationary Driver, or Intermediate License. These licenses restrict certain driving privileges, such as whether the new driver may carry passengers and if so how many, as well as setting a curfew for young drivers to be off the roads. For example, Utah drivers who are under 18 may not drive other people outside the family in their first six months with a license. Unlike in some states of Australia and some provinces of Canada, however, graduated licensing laws do not require lowered speed limits, displaying of L and P plates, restrictions on towing a trailer or boat, or prohibitions on highway driving or operating high performance cars. Drivers under 18 are usually required to attend a comprehensive driver 's education program either at their high school or a professional driving school and take a certain number of behind the wheel lessons with a certified driving instructor before applying for a license. Some states like New York also require new adult drivers to attend some form of driver 's education before applying for a license. However, in some states all newly licensed adult drivers may be on probation for a set amount of time ( usually between six months and two years ), during which traffic violations carry harsher penalties or mandatory suspensions that would not normally apply to experienced drivers. According to federal law, the minimum age to operate a commercial vehicle in interstate transit is 21 ; as a result the minimum age to apply for an unrestricted commercial driver 's license is 21. Driving a school bus also requires a CDL, however the minimum age to drive a school bus is typically higher, usually 25. Some states issue restricted intrastate commercial driver 's licenses, valid for operating commercial vehicles in that state only, to drivers aged 18 and older. Professional drivers who are aged 18 -- 20 typically can not be licensed to drive tractor trailers, hazardous materials, or school buses. Licenses for adults and minors ; GDL laws Below is a list of Graduated Driver 's Licenses ( GDL ) and hardship licenses for minors laws for each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The list includes the state agency responsible for issuing driver 's licenses and the length of time that a full ( unrestricted ) driver 's license is valid for. State Hardship License for Minors Minimum Age for Learner 's Permit Minimum Age for Restricted License Minimum Age for Full ( Unrestricted ) License Validity of Full ( Unrestricted ) License Notes Alabama Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division No 15 years 16 years 17 years 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 years Restricted license achievable after reaching age 16 and holding permit for six months. No driving from midnight to 6 : 00 a.m. and no more than three 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. Alaska Department of Administration, Division of Motor Vehicles No 14 years 16 years 16 years, 6 months 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 years The license holder must log 40 practice hours, become 16, and have had a permit for six months to get a restricted license. No passengers under 21 and no driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. until holding license for six months or reaching age 18, whichever is sooner. Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division No 15 years, 6 months 16 years 16 years, 6 months 7001120000000000000 ♠ 12 years ; expires when driver turns 65 years of age, then 5 years upon renewal. The license holder must log 30 practice hours or take driver education. No more than one 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 Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services No 14 years 16 years 18 years 7000400000000000000 ♠ 8 years Learner 's permit must be held for six months and the driver must reach the age of 16. California Department of Motor Vehicles Yes, see notes. 15 years, 6 months 16 years 17 years 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 years Permit upon completion of driver 's education registration ; can not drive with a permit without a parent, guardian, or licensed adult aged 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 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for one year after receiving the license or upon reaching age 18, whichever is sooner. Learner 's permit must be held for six months and learner must log 50 practice hours. Note : In California, to obtain a hardship license for a minor, the minor must be at least 14 but under the age of 18. The pertinent form is DL120 and is entitled `` Junior Permit Statement of Facts ''. Colorado Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles No 15 years 16 years 17 years 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 years Learner 's permit must be held for one year. 50 practice hours must be logged, 10 of which must be at night. Drivers under 18 can not have any passengers under 21 for the first 6 months of being licensed, unless it 's an immediate family member. At 6 months 1 passenger under 21 is allowed and unrestricted after 1 year. Driving between midnight and 5 a.m. is also prohibited until the driver has been licensed for one year or turns 18. Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles No 16 years 16 years, 4 months 18 years 7000600000000000000 ♠ Either 4 or 6 years, at the discretion of the driver Learner 's permit must be held for four months and driver must log 40 practice hours. No passengers under 20 for six months, no driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. until the driver turns 18. Delaware Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles No 16 years 16 years, 6 months 17 years 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 years Permit must be held for six months. Learner must have 50 practice hours. No driving from 10 : 00 p.m. to 6 : 00 a.m. or any more than one passenger for six months. District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles No 16 years 16 years, 6 months 18 years 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 years Learner 's permit must be held for six months and have 40 practice hours before obtaining provisional license. Provisional license must be held for six months and have 10 practice hours of nigh - time driving before obtaining a regular driver 's license. Restrictions remain in effect upon issuance of regular driver 's license until reaching age 18. Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles No 15 years 16 years 18 years 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 years Permit required for one year if under 18 years of age. 16 years - No 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. driving for one year unless with 21 year or older licensed driver or driving to and from work. 17 years - No 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. driving for one year unless with 21 year or older licensed driver or driving to and from work. Georgia Department of Driver Services Yes, see notes. 15 years 16 years 18 years 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 years Permit must be held for one year and learner must have 40 practice hours. One passenger under the age of 18 for first six months or 1000 miles. Up to three passengers permitted for the following six months or 1000 miles. After that no more than four passengers until reaching age 18. Also, driver may not drive from 1 a.m to 6 a.m. until reaching age 18. For more information visit. Note : In Georgia, to obtain a hardship license for a minor, the minor must have a suspended license due to school conduct or attendance problems and needs an exemption in order to get to and from school or for family medical reasons. The minor must be old enough to already have a license. The pertinent form is DDS 7012. Hawaii ( Each island has its own requirements regarding driver 's licenses. For Hawaii, Maui, and Kaua'i, as well as the City and County of Honolulu, see ) No 15 years, 6 months 16 years 17 years 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 years Permit must be held for six months. Only one passenger under 18 or driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for one year or upon age 18, whichever is sooner. Idaho Transportation Department, Division of Motor Vehicles No 14 years, 6 months 15 years 16 years 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 years ( if driver is aged 21 to 62, driver may opt for the license to be valid for either 4 or 8 years ) 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 six months of license possession, the driver is only able to carry one non-family member under age 17 in their car. Illinois Secretary of State, Driver Services Department No 15 years 16 years 18 years 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 years 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 can not drive between the hours of 10 : 00 p.m. and 6 : 00 a.m. Monday - Thursday or 11 : 00 p.m. and 6 : 00 a.m. 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 18 unless those being transported are immediate family members or over 18. Driver must have not been convicted of a moving violation in the six 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 six 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 Bureau of Motor Vehicles No 15 years 16 years, 3 months 18 years 7000600000000000000 ♠ 6 years Learner 's Permit must be held for 180 days and learner must be 16 and 90 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 must observe the following regulations : The driver may not use any telecommunication device while operating the vehicle. For the first 180 days of holding their license, the driver may not have any passengers, unless the passengers are over the age of 25 and hold a valid driver 's license. Holders of a probationary driver 's license must comply with state and local curfew laws. Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division, Office of Driver Services Yes, see notes 14 years 16 years 17 years 7000500000000000000 ♠ 2 years ( 16 - 18 ) ; 5 years ( 18 - 70 ) ; 2 years ( 70 and older ) 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 4 : 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 no violation and accident free for 12 consecutive months, otherwise they must be 18 years old. Iowa driver 's licenses can vary from two years to a maximum of five years ; the license drops to a maximum term of two years after the individual holding the license reaches the age of 70. Note : In Iowa, to obtain a hardship license for a minor, called a Minor School License ( MSL ), the minor must be at minimum 14 and a half years old, the minor must have completed an Iowa - approved drivers education class unless exempted due to hardship, the minor must have a valid instruction permit for the previous six months, the minor 's driving history must be free of convictions for moving traffic violations, contributive accidents and license withdrawals during the six - month period immediately preceding application, and the minor must live at least one mile or more from the school he or she is enrolled in. The pertinent form is Form 430021, entitled `` Affidavit for School License '', but the form must be completed by the school and signed by the minor 's parent ( s ) or legal guardian ( s ). Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles Yes, Farm Permit, see notes 14 years 16 years 16 years, 6 months 7000600000000000000 ♠ 6 years A farm permit shall entitle the licensee, who is at least 14 years of age, but less than 16 years of age, to operate the appropriate motor vehicles at any time : while going to or from or in connection with any farm job, employment or other farm - related work ; on days while school is in session, over the most direct and accessible route between the licensee 's residence and school of enrollment for the purpose of school attendance ; when the licensee is operating a passenger car at any time when accompanied by an adult who is the holder of a valid commercial driver 's license, class A, B or C driver 's license and who is actually occupying a seat beside the driver. Permit must be held for six months. After logging 20 daytime and five 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 five nighttime practice hours and reach age 16 before getting a less restricted license. Applicant must provide affidavit showing at least 50 hours of adult supervised driving, with ten of those hours being at night, by a licensed driver at least 21 years old. At age 17, a full - privileges license may be obtained with the same requirements as the semi-restricted license. Nonresident : At least 16 years of age and has in immediate possession a valid license issued by home state or country. Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Driver Licensing No 16 years 16 years, 6 months 17 years 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 years Learner 's permit must be held for six months and learner must log 60 practice hours. No driving from midnight to 6 a.m. and no more than one passenger under 20 for six months or reaching age 18, whichever is sooner. Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles No 15 years 16 years 17 years 7000400000000000000 ♠ 6 years Learners 's Permit ( Age 15 ) : Must complete 30 hours of classroom instruction and eight hours behind the wheel driving instruction. May not drive without a licensed driver over 21 or a licensed sibling over 18. 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. May not drive between the hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Full License ( Age 17 ) : Must successfully complete Learner 's Permit and Intermediate License stages or be a minimum of 17 years of age prior to application for the first time. Maine Secretary of State, Bureau of Motor Vehicles No 15 years 16 years 16 years, 9 months 7000600000000000000 ♠ 6 years Learner must have permit for six months, be 16, and have 35 practice hours. Only immediate family and no driving from midnight to 5 a.m. for nine months or reaching age 18, whichever is sooner. Under 18 may not use cell phone while driving. Maryland Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Administration No 15 years, 9 months 16 years, 6 months 18 years 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 years Learner must hold permit for nine 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 five months of having the license or drive between midnight and 5 a.m. 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 Department of Transportation, Registry of Motor Vehicles No 16 years 16 years, 6 months 18 years 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 years 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 can not drive between 12 : 30 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by their parent or legal guardian, or 1 a.m. if on their way home. Massachusetts law provides no exceptions for employment, education, or medical reasons. Additionally, junior operators can not drive with passengers under the age of 18 ( except immediate family members ) unless accompanied by a licensed driver of 21 within the first six 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. Drivers under the age of 18 may not use a mobile phone or any other mobile electronic device while driving, except in emergencies. Michigan Secretary of State Yes, see notes. 14 years, 9 months 16 years 17 years 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 years 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 with up to one person not in immediate family except between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 or driving to or from work, school sanctioned event, organized activity, or religious event. Note : In Michigan, to obtain a hardship license for a minor, the minor, who is at least 14 years old, must be living on a family - owned farm, the minor 's family income must meet specific levels depending on the number of family members, there must be a significant change in the farming operation, i.e. the loss of a previous driver, to warrant requesting a minor restricted license, and the minor has no alternative transportation available. The pertinent form is entitled `` Application for Minor Restricted License Special Farming Need Only ''. Due to the expense of the graduated licensing system ( including driver education, it can reach upwards of $500 for the entire process ), most poorer Michigan residents wait until they are 18, spend $11 to get the Temporary Instruction Permit, and then take a road test, which is no higher than $50. Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Division of Driver and Vehicle Services Yes, see notes. 15 years 16 years 17 years 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 years Permit must be held for six months and learner must reach age 16 and log 40 practice hours. ( 50 if a supplemental parent course is not completed. ) No cell phone usage before age 18, all passengers must wear seat belts. Effective August 1, 2008 : junior operators can drive with minor passengers now. Driving curfew from midnight to 5 a.m. for first six months. Exceptions to these rules are traveling from home to place of employment, school, school events that offer no transportation, or other employment reasons. Note : In Minnesota, to obtain a hardship license for a minor, called a Restricted Farm Work License, the minor must be at least 15 years old and need the license to help a parent or legal guardian on a farm. The pertinent form is the Farm Work License Affidavit. Mississippi Department of Public Safety No 15 years 16 years 16 years, 6 months 7000800000000000000 ♠ Either 4 or 8 years, at the discretion of the driver Must hold a learner 's permit for one year before applying for an intermediate license, and is restricted for use between hours of 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Missouri Department of Revenue No 15 years 16 years 17 years, 11 months 7000600000000000000 ♠ 6 years Must hold a learner 's permit for six months before applying for an intermediate license. 40 hours of driving instruction are required including ten 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 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless required for school and work. Exceptions include school events and driving to and from place to place. limitations of one passenger under 19 for the first six months after the license is issued and three passengers thereafter, and there must be no traffic or alcohol offenses for one year to advance to the full license. The State recently passed a measure mandating all Missouri drivers tests be given in only English or American Sign Language ( ASL ) ; the law has yet to be passed. Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division No 14 years, 6 months 15 years 16 years 7000800000000000000 ♠ Expires at age 21 ; 8 years ( ages 21 - 67 ) ; expires at age 75 ( ages 68 - 74 ) ; 4 years ( 75 and older ) Permit must be held for six months. Learner must log 50 practice hours. No driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for one year. No more than one unrelated passenger under 18 for first six months. No more than three unrelated passengers under 18 for second six months. Note : The validity periods to the left are for Class D licenses. Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles Yes, see notes. 15 years 16 years 17 years 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 years Learner must log 50 hours of practice, hold permit for six months, and reach age 16. Must have restricted license for at least one year before applying for your first unrestricted permit. Only one passenger under 19 allowed for first month. No driving from midnight to 6 a.m. for one year. Note : In Nebraska, to obtain a hardship license for a minor, both a School Learners Permit and a School Permit will be issued. A minor, who is at a minimum 14 years old, must have a School Learners Permit for at least 2 months before getting a School Permit. A School Permit will be issued for a minor, who is at a minimum age of 14 years, 2 months, who lives at least a mile and a half or more from school, who resides outside of a city with 5,000 people or more, or who attends a school outside a city of 5,000 people or more. The School Permit is to be used for the purpose of transporting the minor or any family member who resides with the minor to attend school, extracurricular, or school - related activities at the school, and the minor may drive under the personal supervision of a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. If a minor has not completed a DMV - approved Driver Safety Course, then the minor is required to compile 50 hours of driving time with a parent, guardian or licensed driver 21 years or older. Information about the School Learners Permit and School Permit can be found here at and the certification of 50 hours of driving time is located at. Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles Yes, see notes. 15 years, 6 months 16 years 18 years 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 years 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 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. until they turn 18 ( except with a letter from a school official or employer. ) Additional restrictions apply in Las Vegas and Reno. Note : In Nevada, to obtain a hardship license for a minor, a minor restricted license can not be approved for commercial driving purposes, to seek employment, or for public school students in Carson City, Clark, Douglas, or Washoe counties ; workdays and hours are limited to a maximum of six ( 6 ) days per week, ten ( 10 ) hours per day ; a physician 's statement is required if a minor is driving for medical purposes ; a `` Verification of Need '' affidavit must be completed by an unbiased individual ( a member of the clergy or a social worker, etc. ) and signed in front of a DMV authorized representative or notary public official if a minor is driving for medical appointments or to go to a grocery store ; school authorities and parents / guardians must complete certain sections if a minor is driving to school. The form is entitled `` Restricted License Information ''. New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles, Driver Licensing Office No 15 years, 6 months 16 years 18 years 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 years Learner 's Permit - No formal learner 's permit is required in NH, ​ 15 ⁄ - 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 six 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 has n'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 Motor Vehicle Commission No 16 years 17 years 18 years 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 years Learner must reach age 17 and have had a permit for six months. No driving between 11 : 01 p.m. and 5 : 00 a.m. Driver may not drive with more than one additional passenger in the car unless the accompanying driver is the guardian to the permit holder, other than parents, guardians, or dependents, until a Basic License is obtained, which the minimum age to receive is 18. Since May 1, 2010, Kyleigh 's Law took place, it requires any driver under age 21, who holds a permit or probationary ( formerly provisional ) driver license, buy a $4.00 pair of decals and display them on the top left corner of the front and rear license plates of their vehicles. Despite having over 250000 drivers that are required to display the decals, less than 80000 have been sold. As some of the 80000 decals sold are for drivers with multiple cars, it is estimated that 75 % of provisional drivers ignore this law. All passengers must wear seatbelt. New Mexico Motor Vehicle Division No 15 years 15 years, 6 months 16 years, 6 months 7000800000000000000 ♠ Either 4 or 8 years, at the discretion of the driver up to age 75. Licenses are 1 - year, with passage of an eye exam required for renewal, for drivers age 75 and older. Learner must log 50 hours of practice and hold permit for six months. No driving from midnight to 5 a.m. and no more than one passenger under age 21 for one year after receiving license. New York State Department of Motor Vehicles No 16 years 16 years, 6 months 17 years 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 years The New York State DMV divides the state into three regions : New York City, Long Island ( Nassau / Suffolk ), and `` All Other Counties ( includes Westchester and Rockland counties ) ''. Learner Permits : 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 ), and prohibits driving between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. On Long Island, one must be accompanied by a guardian or professional instructor, and may not drive between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. In the rest of the state, one may drive while accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. ; other hours require parent or professional accompaniment. Junior operator licenses ( Class DJ or MJ ) allows unaccompanied driving from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., driving outside these hours is permitted only to or from school, employment, or documented medical appointments, unless the driver is accompanied by their parent, legal guardian, or a certified driving instructor. Once someone acquires a junior license he / she is able to drive to and from school with the same restrictions on passengers as driving anywhere else with a junior license. Adolescent drivers must have their permit accident and ticket free for six full months before taking their road test, along with the completion at least 50 hours of supervised driving, 15 of which must be in moderate to heavy traffic. A full driver 's education course is not required in New York, although license applicants who do not have a driver 's ed certificate must complete a five - hour pre-licensing course. For 17 - year - olds, a junior license will be converted to a full standard license if the driver submits a Driver 's Ed Certificate and a certified completion of 50 hours of driving plus 15 in moderate to heavy traffic. Otherwise, it will be converted on the driver 's 18th birthday. A 12 a.m. curfew exists for drivers who have not completed the driver 's ed program. North Carolina Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles No 15 years 16 years 16 years, 6 months 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 years ( ages 18 -- 65 ) ; 5 years ( age 66 or older ) Driver 's education required for a Learner Permit to be issued. Permit must be held for twelve months with the last six months accident and point - free before obtaining a Limited Provisional License. Limited Provisional license holders can not drive between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless attending a school event ( including sporting events, school dances, school concerts etc. ), and a limit of one non-family member passenger under 21 applies. A Full Provisional License can be obtained after holding a Limited Provisional license for six months without an accident or points added to the license, and this license removes the time of day and passenger restrictions, but some restrictions remain until the license holder turns eighteen. North Dakota Department of Transportation, Driver License Division No 14 years 15 years 16 years 7000600000000000000 ♠ 6 years Those under 16 who have a license may only drive a car that is their parents '. Licensed drivers under the age of 16 may not drive with more passengers than the vehicle manufacturer 's suggested capacity, no unsupervised driving between sunset or 9 : 00 PM whichever is later and 5 : 00 AM unless the driver is driving directly to or from work, official school activity, or religious activity. Ohio Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Motor Vehicles Yes, see notes. 15 years, 6 months 16 years 18 years 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 years ( age 21 and up ) ; until the 21st birthday ( ages 16 -- 20 ) Learner must log 50 practice hours and hold permit for six months, if under 18. Those who are ​ 15 ⁄ 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 can not drive between midnight and 6 a.m., under 18 either with a learner 's permit or a driver license can not 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 vehicle ; no restrictions on family members or those over 21. 18 and over have full license privileges and have no time or passenger restrictions. Special restricted license can drive after hours for purposes of employment, education, travel between home and school, vocational training, employment opportunities, and attending church services. Note : In Ohio, to obtain a hardship license for a minor, the minor, aged 14 or 15 years old, must be the only licensed driver in the household ; any other licensed driver will be required to surrender his or her driver license ; a hardship license may not be used for the child to drive themselves or siblings to and from school, work or social and school events ; the license is valid only within a 10 - mile radius of the home for obtaining groceries and other household necessities, to drive the disabled parent or guardian to medical appointments and medical emergencies ; the parent or guardian must accompany the child at all times while driving ; the family must live in an area where there is no public transportation or community services available to assist them ; the parent or guardian must show proof that they can maintain financial responsibility insurance on the driver ; the child must complete a driver education course and the graduated licensing requirements. To apply for a hardship license for a minor in Ohio, a minor and his or her family can send a letter to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, P.O. Box 16784, Attention Driver License Special Case Division / Medical Unit, Columbus, Ohio, 43216 - 6784 ; the letter must explain the hardship and provide the BMV with the minor 's full name, date of birth, social security number and the names, dates of birth and social security numbers of any licensed drivers in the household ; the BMV must also receive a notarized statement advising that any other driver ( s ) in the home would be willing to surrender their driver licenses if a hardship license were to be issued ; before a hardship license is authorized, an investigation is conducted to assist the BMV in determining whether the household qualifies. Oklahoma Department of Public Safety No 15 years, 6 months 16 years 16 years, 6 months 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 years Learner must have 40 practice hours and hold permit for six months. Intermediate drivers can not drive more than a single passenger of any age ( family excluded ) or drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless there is a licensed driver present or until the driver is 18 years of age and has a GDL ( Graduated Driver 's License ). Oregon Department of Transportation, Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division No 15 years 16 years 17 years 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 years Learner must be 16, have had permit for six months and have either completed an ODOT approved driving course and 50 hours behind the wheel outside of class or 100 practice hours. Driving between midnight and 5 a.m. is prohibited during the first year of holding the license unless going between home, school, or work. 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. All Passengers must wear seat belts. Small children must be in Approved car seats According to their size and age. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Driver and Vehicle Services No 16 years 16 years, 6 months 17 years, 6 months 7000400000000000000 ♠ 4 years 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 does n'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 65 practice hours before issuance of restricted license. Those with a restricted license may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless a family member 18 years or older is present. Exceptions to this curfew include school - sponsored events, religious events, work, and volunteer firefighters. Only one non-family passenger under the age of 18 is permitted for the first six months of holding a junior license. Only three non-family passengers permitted until the driver turns 18. A restricted license automatically becomes an unrestricted license on the learner 's 18th birthday. Rhode Island Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles No 16 years 16 years, 6 months 17 years, 6 months 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 years 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 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. or carry more than one passenger under age 21 for one year or until they turn 18, whichever is sooner. Special restricted license can drive after hours for purposes of employment, education, travel between home and school, vocational training, employment opportunities, and attending church services. South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles No 15 years 15 years, 6 months 16 years, 6 months 7001100000000000000 ♠ 10 years, with a vision exam required every 5 years A 16 - year - old may apply on a restricted license for permission to drive between the hours of 6 p.m. and midnight. 16 - year - old drivers who have held the Beginner Permit for a minimum of 180 days or hold a conditional license are eligible for the Special Restricted License. Applicants for the Special Restricted License must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during the application process to sign the Special Restricted License application. Applicants must bring their Beginner Permit and submit a PDLA form certifying the following : Certification of School Attendance Certification of Driver Education Course Certification of Driver Practice All three of these certifications can be submitted on one form offered at the South Carolina DMV website at this website. Teen drivers applying for the Special Restricted License must pass a vision screening and the DMV road test. Special Restricted License holders may drive unaccompanied from 6 : 00 a.m. to 6 : 00 p.m. or until 8 : 00 p.m. during daylight saving time. Outside of those hours the teen driver may drive until midnight if accompanied by a licensed driver that is a minimum of 21 years of age. Between midnight and 4 : 00 a.m. a Special Restricted License holder must be accompanied by a licensed parent or legal guardian. Special Restricted License holders may receive an exception for these time restrictions if they can prove that the restrictions interfere with employment, education, travel between home and school, vocational training, employment opportunities, or attending church services. Teen drivers must submit two statements to qualify the exception. One of the statements must be from a parent or legal guardian and the other must be a statement on letterhead from a school official or your employer. The statements must describe the reason the waiver is needed. Passengers under the age of 21 are limited to two unless they are immediate family members or students be transported to or from school or the license holder is accompanied by a licensed driver that is a minimum of 21 years of age. Teen drivers that hold the Special Restricted License for 16 - year - olds for one year without a conviction for a traffic violation and have not been at - fault in an accident may obtain full driving privileges when they reach the age of 17. South Dakota Department of Public Safety No 14 years 14 years, 3 months 16 years 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 years 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 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Driver License Services Yes, see notes. 15 years 16 years 17 years 7000500000000000000 ♠ 8 years Learner must have permit for six months and log 50 hours of practice driving. No driving from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. or more than one passenger for one year or until reaching age 18, whichever is sooner. Note : In Tennessee, to obtain a hardship license for a minor, called a Class H license, if the minor is aged 14 or 15, the minor can operate a Class D passenger vehicle or Class M motorcycle ( limited to 125 cc ) or both ; the minor must pass a vision screening, knowledge test, and road test to operate a Class D passenger vehicle ; take the Class M knowledge and driving test in addition to the Class D knowledge test to drive a Class M vehicle ; be limited to daylight hours only ( 5 am to 7 pm, no exceptions ) and authorized locations only within a 25 - mile radius from the minor 's residence, as specified in the Department of Safety ( DOS ) letter. If the minor who has a Class H license is aged 15, the minor is treated the same as a Class PD ( learners permit ) license who drives with a licensed driver 21 years or older who sits in the front passenger seat. A Class H license will expire on the minor 's 16th birthday. More information can be found at and the form for application for a hardship license is located at. Texas Department of Public Safety Yes, see notes. 15 years 16 years 18 years 7000600000000000000 ♠ 6 years ( 84 and younger ) ; 2 years ( 85 and older ) Learner 's must complete the classroom portion of driver training to receive a permit. Permit holders must be with someone age 21 while driving, also 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 until the TRC 545.424 expires, may not drive from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., and can not use a cell phone while driving for the first six months. As of March 1, 2010, anyone age 18 through 24 must complete an approved driver education course and driving skills test to become licensed in the state of Texas in accordance with Texas Senate Bill 1317. Provisions of this law only apply to first - time Texas driver 's license applicants. Note : In Texas, for a minor to obtain a hardship license, the minor must be aged 14 to 18 years old ; must have an unusual economic hardship on the minor 's family, the sickness or illness of a member of the minor 's family, or he or she is regularly enrolled in a vocational education program and requires a driver license to pursue the program and has completed an approved course in driver education. To obtain the pertinent form, called the DL 77 form, go to. Utah Department of Public Safety, Driver License Division No 15 years 16 years 17 years 7000400000000000000 ♠ 5 years Drivers under 17 may not drive between midnight and 4 a.m. 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 Agency of Transportation, Department of Motor Vehicles No 15 years 16 years 16 years, 6 months 7000400000000000000 ♠ Either 2 or 4 years, at the discretion of the driver 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 Department of Motor Vehicles No 15 years, 6 months 16 years, 3 months 18 years 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 years Learner must hold permit for nine months and log 45 supervised driving hours, 15 of which must be at night. 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 midnight to 4 : 00 a.m. until reaching age 18. Washington Department of Licensing No 15 years 16 years 17 years 7000600000000000000 ♠ Transitioning to 6 years ( from 5 years ), for load balancing about 20 % of drivers will be randomly selected for a shorter renewal period during the transition phase. Learner must reach age 16, hold permit for six months, and log 50 hours of practice driving. For the first six months, no driving with any 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 two violations of the restrictions, the driver 's license is suspended for six 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 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. ) until age 18 if license had not been held for one year before the traffic violation. West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles No 15 years 16 years 17 years 7000500000000000000 ♠ 5 years Learner must reach age 16, hold permit for six months, and log 50 hours of practice or take driver education. No passengers under age 19 or driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for one year. Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles Yes, see notes. 15 years, 6 months 16 years 16 years, 9 months 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 years Learner must hold permit for six months and log 30 hours of practice. Passenger and nighttime driving restrictions removed after nine months, or upon reaching the age of 18 whichever is sooner. All first license holders, regardless of age, and out - of - state transfers under 21 or with less than three years ' experience are initially issued probationary licenses valid for a three - year period and are subject to enhanced penalties after the first moving violation. Note : In Wisconsin, to obtain a hardship license for a minor, the minor must be at least 14 years of age, but under the age of 18 ; must appear in person, accompanied by his or her parent or legal guardian, before an examining officer with a birth certificate showing the minor is at least 14 years old ; must have the usage of an automobile, farm truck, dual purpose farm truck, motorcycle with an engine of no more than 125 cc, moped, or motor bicycle owned and registered by the applicant 's parent or guardian, or a farm truck leased to the applicant 's parent or guardian ; must pass an examination, including a test of the applicant 's ability to safely operate the type of vehicle for which the minor is requesting the ability to use. The hardship license is valid only until the minor secures a full ( unrestricted ) driver 's license or reaches the age of 18, whichever comes first. The minor is not permitted to drive in hours of darkness or in a city of more than 500,000 people ; operate either a commercial vehicle or vehicle for hire ( e.g. a taxicab ). These restrictions are provided in Section 343.08 of the Wisconsin Statutes & Annotations. Wyoming Department of Transportation, Driver Services Program Yes, see notes. 15 years 16 years 16 years, 6 months 7000800000000000000 ♠ 8 years Learner must reach age 16 and log 50 practice hours. No more than one passenger under 18 or driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. for the first six months or until reaching age 17, whichever is sooner. Note : In Wyoming, to obtain a hardship license for a minor, the minor must be aged 14 or 15 years, the minor 's residence is more than 5 miles from the school they attend ; the minor has a regular job ( a minimum of 10 hours per week ) more than 5 miles from the minor 's residence ; the minor must have a license to work in his / her parents ' business ; any other circumstances which the Wyoming Highway Patrol ( WHP ) finds to be an extreme inconvenience, i.e. the need to provide transportation for long - term medical treatment or conditions ( not to include routine medical office visits ). Instructions accompanying the Restricted License Affidavit must be read, the Restricted License Affidavit itself must be filled out, a school attendance verification form must be attached, if the license is to be used for transportation to or from school, or in conjunction with extracurricular school activities, a work verification form must be attached, if the license is to be used for transportation to and from work ; a verification of parental ownership of business form must be attached, if the license is to be used in conjunction with a parental business ; an insurance verification form must be completed and attached ; the Restrictions form must be completed by the WHP. More information can be found at. The instructions accompanying the Restricted License Affidavit can be found at. The Restricted License Affidavit itself can be found at, the School Attendance Verification form at, the Work Verification form at, the Verification of Parental Ownership of Business form at, the Insurance Verification form at, and the Restrictions form ( only to be filled out by the WHP ) at. Decline in licensing among young people in the U.S. According to a December 2, 2004, Los Angeles Times article, only 43 % of American 15 -, 16 -, and 17 - year - olds had licenses in 2002. By comparison, the percentage in 1982 was 52 %. Use as identification and proof of age Driver 's licenses issued in the United States have a number or alphanumeric code issued by the issuing state 's department of motor vehicles ( or equivalent ), usually show a photograph of the bearer, as well as a copy of his or her signature, the address of his or her primary residence, the type or class of license, restrictions and / or endorsements ( if any ), the physical characteristics of the bearer ( such as height, weight, hair color, and eye color ), and birth date. No two driver 's license numbers issued by a state are alike. Social Security numbers are now prohibited by federal law from appearing on new driver 's licenses, due to identity theft concerns. In most states, to be compliant with AAMVA standards, the orientation of a driver 's license for persons under the age of 21 is vertical while a driver 's license for those over the age of 21 is horizontal. Since the driver 's license is often used as proof of a person 's age, the difference in orientation makes it easy to determine that a person is legally allowed to purchase or consume alcohol ( the drinking age in all U.S. states is 21 ). Some states, however, do not require that a driver 's license is changed to horizontal, such as Arizona, where it is optional to change to a horizontal license. Furthermore, the vertical license does not expire until age 65 in the state of Arizona. Most states require that when a driver establishes residence in a state, he or she must obtain a license issued by that state within a certain time frame. A Vertical California Drivers License for people under the age of 21 Because there is no national identity card in the United States, the driver 's license is often used as the de facto equivalent for completion of many common business and governmental transactions. As a result, driver 's licenses are the focus of many kinds of identity theft. Driver 's licenses were not always identification cards. In many states, driver 's licenses did not even have a photograph well into the 1980s. Activism by the Mothers Against Drunk Driving organization for the use of photo ID age verification in conjunction with increasing the drinking age to 21 in order to reduce underage drinking led to photographs being added to all state licenses. New York and Tennessee were the last states to add photos in 1986. However, New Jersey later allowed drivers to get non-photo licenses ; this was later revoked. Vermont license holders have the option of receiving a non-photo license. All Tennessee drivers aged 60 years of age or older had the option of a non-photo driver 's license prior to January 2013, when photo licenses were required for voting identification. All people with valid non-photo licenses will be allowed to get a photo license when their current license expires. Thirteen states allow the option of a non-photo driver 's license for reasons of religious belief : Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington, and Wisconsin. Later additions varied from state to state, and have included fingerprints, bar codes, magnetic strips, social security numbers, and tamper - proof features, most of which were added to prevent identity theft and to curb the use of fake IDs. States have now slowly been converting to digitized driver 's licenses, which incorporate holograms and bar codes to prevent forgery. Non-Driver identification cards Many states, usually through the same agency that issues driver 's licenses, provide identification cards for people who do not drive. Real ID Main article : REAL ID Act The Department of Homeland Security has the power through the Real ID Act of 2005 to set standards relating to identification of applicants and license design for state - issued driver licenses and identification cards. States are not required to comply with RealID, but if a state does not comply, any driver licenses or ID cards issued by that state will not be valid for any official purpose with the federal government, meaning they will not be accepted for entering federal buildings or boarding airplanes. For a state to meet RealID compliance, licenses and ID cards issued from that state must be approved by DHS in meeting RealID requirements. States can choose to issue both regular licenses and ID cards as well as RealIDs, but any non-RealID must be marked that it is not a RealID. RealIDs are allowed to be issued only to legal immigrants and citizens of the United States. When a person applies for a RealID, either as a new driver license or ID card applicant or renewing a current license or ID card, they must present a citizenship document ( US passport, certified birth certificate or citizenship certificate ) or proof of legal immigrant status ( valid visa ) and proof of residency in that state. The state then must verify the documents and store them either electronically or on paper. No one may have more than one RealID at one time. For those born on or after December 1, 1964, a RealID must be obtained by December 1, 2014, to be allowed to conduct business with the federal government. Those born before December 1, 1964, have until December 1, 2017, to obtain their RealIDs. Florida, Nevada and Wisconsin have been approved by DHS and started to issue RealIDs. A RealID can be identified as materially compliant by a gold star located on the top third of the ID. A fully compliant RealID is identified as having a circle with an inset gold star in the top third of the ID. As of October 2011, Connecticut also issues them. Starting in January 2013, Ohio is issuing RealIDs under the name `` Safe ID ''. Starting on January 22, 2018, California will be issuing RealIDs. Enhanced driver 's licenses Additionally, some states, mostly those with an international border, issue enhanced driver licenses and enhanced ID cards. Enhanced licenses combine a regular driver 's license with the specifications of the new federal passport card. Thus, in addition to providing driving privileges, the enhanced license also is proof of U.S. citizenship, and can therefore be used to cross the Canadian and Mexican borders by road, rail, or sea, although air travel still requires a traditional passport book. The enhanced licenses are also fully Real ID compliant. As of May 2009, Vermont, New York, Michigan, and Washington were issuing enhanced driver 's licenses and ID cards. In January 2014, Minnesota became the fifth state to issue enhanced driver 's licenses, while Ohio is set to become the sixth state once it has been approved by its legislature. On March 27, 2008, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that Washington 's enhanced driver 's license was the first such license approved under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative ; according to a Homeland Security press release, the department is also working with Arizonan authorities to develop enhanced driver 's licenses. On September 16, 2008, New York began issuing enhanced driver 's licenses that meet WHTI requirements. Texas was expected to also implement an enhanced driver 's license program, but the program has been blocked by Texas Governor Rick Perry, despite a state law authorizing the Texas Department of Public Safety to issue EDLs and a ruling by the state attorney general, Greg Abbott, that Texas ' production of EDLs would comply with federal requirements. Digital driver 's licenses California, Iowa, and Delaware have proposed digital drivers licenses as a means of identification. The license would be available as an app by MorphoTrust USA and installed on a user 's personal cellphone. Several questions have been raised about user privacy, since a police officer may ask for one 's license and gain access to one 's cellphone. See also Department of Motor Vehicles Commercial driver 's license Vehicle registration plates of the United States Joshua 's Law Transportation safety in the United States United States portal Law portal Cars portal Notes Jump up ^ The state of Florida allows persons with permits to operate a motor vehicle, as follows : ( 1 ) Any adult `` may apply for a temporary instruction permit. '' ( 2 ) The department can `` issue a temporary permit to an applicant for a Class E driver 's license permitting him or her to operate a motor vehicle... '' ( 3 ) Any person can `` apply for a temporary commercial instruction permit. '' ( 4 ) Any teenager `` 17 years and three months can and may '' get a `` Class E drivers '' license if they already `` possesses a valid driver 's license issued in any state ; and... is accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older, who is licensed... '' References Jump up ^ `` Part 383 : Commercial driver 's license standards ; requirements and penalties - Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ''. DOT.gov. Retrieved 2012 - 12 - 29. Jump up ^ Watner, Carl. `` The Precursor of National Identification Cards in the U.S. : Drivers Licenses and Vehicle Registration in Historical Perspective ''. voluntaryist.com. Retrieved 2012 - 12 - 29. Jump up ^ Mayhew, Daniel R., Michele Fields, and Herbert M. Simpson. `` Why 16 ? '' ( PDF ). Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Retrieved 2013 - 04 - 22. ^ Jump up to : `` What is a hardship license and who is eligible ? ''. DMV Answers. 2010 - 01 - 13. Retrieved 2012 - 12 - 29. Jump up ^ American Motorcyclist Association, State - by - state motorcycle laws, retrieved February 29, 2012 Jump up ^ Team, DPS Web. `` TxDPS - Driver License Medical Revocation ''. www.dps.texas.gov. ^ Jump up to : `` COMMERCIAL DRIVER 'S LICENSE PROGRAM ''. Idaho Transport Department. Retrieved 10 February 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Classifications and Endorsements ''. Division of Motor Vehicles. Retrieved 10 February 2015. Jump up ^ Vehicles, Department of Motor. `` DMV : CDL - Types of License Classifications and Endorsements ''. www.ct.gov. Jump up ^ Office of Foreign Missions, Driver Services, retrieved April 9, 2011 Jump up ^ `` New York State Department of Motor Vehicles : Road Test Requirements ''. Dmv.ny.gov. Retrieved 2012 - 12 - 29. Jump up ^ `` Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, DOT '' ( PDF ). United States Department of Transportation. Retrieved 11 February 2015. Jump up ^ `` Licensing System for Young Drivers ''. Iihs.org. 2003 - 09 - 01. Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 15. Jump up ^ `` U.S. older driver licensing procedures ''. Iihs.org. Retrieved 2012 - 12 - 29. Jump up ^ `` License Renewal Procedures ''. Iihs.org. August 2015. Retrieved 2015 - 08 - 15. Jump up ^ `` License Renewal ''. aaa.com. September 2015. 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Traffic law and safety Rules of the road All - way stop Assured Clear Distance Ahead Australian Road Rules Boulevard rule Green Cross Code Move over law New Zealand Road Code Overtaking Right - and left - hand traffic Right - of - way School bus traffic stop laws Traffic code Turn on red Vienna Convention on Road Traffic Road user guides Driver 's manual The Highway Code The Highway Code ( Malta ) Road Users ' Code Rules of the Road ( Ireland ) Enforcement Breathalyzer Camera Enforcement Red light Highway patrol / State police Parking enforcement Road traffic control Textalyzer Traffic court Traffic guard Traffic stop Traffic ticket Warning Speed limit Advisory speed limit Assured Clear Distance Ahead National Maximum Speed Law School zone Speed limit enforcement Speed limits by country Category : Speed limits by country Moving violations Driving under the influence Canada United States Distracted driving Mobile phones and driving Texting while driving Reckless driving Street racing Tailgating Vehicular homicide Wrong - way driving Driver licensing Commercial driver 's license European driving licence Graduated driver licensing Inter-American Driving Permit International Driving Permit Learner 's permit Point system Driving licences by country List of countries by minimum driving age Traffic violations reciprocity Commercial Driver 's License Information System Driver License Agreement Driver License Compact Non-Resident Violator Compact Parking Alternate - side parking Decriminalised parking enforcement Disabled parking permit Double parking Parking chair Parking violation Wheel clamp Car safety Seat belt laws Click It or Ticket Clunk Click Every Trip Road safety Tachograph Digital tachograph Drivers ' working hours ( Europe ) Epilepsy and driving Hours of service ( US ) `` How 's my driving ? '' sign Old age and driving Sleep deprived driving Slow moving vehicle Vision Zero Driving license in North America Sovereign states Antigua and Barbuda Bahamas Barbados Belize Canada Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic El Salvador Grenada Guatemala Haiti Honduras Jamaica Mexico Nicaragua Panama Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago United States Dependencies and other territories Anguilla Aruba Bermuda Bonaire British Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Curaçao Greenland Guadeloupe Martinique Montserrat Puerto Rico Saint Barthélemy Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saba Sint Eustatius Sint Maarten Turks and Caicos Islands United States Virgin Islands Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Driver%27s_licenses_in_the_United_States&oldid=816771994 '' Categories : Driving licences by country Official documents of the United States Minimum ages Transportation in the United States Hidden categories : All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from September 2009 Webarchive template wayback links Pages with citations lacking titles Pages with citations having bare URLs All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from December 2010 Articles with unsourced statements from September 2012 Articles with unsourced statements from August 2009 Articles with unsourced statements from April 2017 Articles with unsourced statements from July 2011 Articles containing potentially dated statements from May 2009 All articles containing potentially dated statements Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Русский Edit links This page was last edited on 23 December 2017, at 15 : 47. 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Question: how old do you need to be to get a license in california
Answer: 16 years