Teen and Novice Drivers
The chart below describes the statewide driver licensing law provisions related to teen or novice drivers across the country. Use the arrows below the chart to toggle through the states in alphabetical order. To advance slowly, click the single right arrow (>). To jump to the end, click the double arrows (>>). Or use the filter by state feature to jump to a specific state.
Scroll down for a summary overall totals of the number of states that have specific provisions.
Laws last reviewed by State Highway safety Offices in March 2023.
| Virgin Islands | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Privilege Minimum Age
None |
Full Privilege Minimum Age
18 years |
Full Privilege Minimum Age
18 years |
Full Privilege Minimum Age
17 years |
| Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15 / 6 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15 15 / 6 without driver's ed. |
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15 |
| Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
None |
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
9 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6 |
| Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
None |
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
45 (15) |
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
50 (10) |
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
50 (10); 0 with driver's ed. |
| Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
None |
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 / 3 |
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 |
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 |
| Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
None |
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
Midnight - 4 a.m. (secondary enforcement) |
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
1 a.m. - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement) |
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
10 p.m. - 5 a.m. |
| Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
None |
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
First 12 months: no more than 1 under 21 (secondary enforcement) Thereafter: no more than 3 under 21 under certain conditions (secondary enforcement) |
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
First 6 months: no passengers under 20 Remainder: no more than 3 passengers under 20 (secondary enforcement) |
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
First 6 months: no passengers under 20 Second 6 months: no more than one passenger under 20 |
None
16
None
None
None
None
None
18 years
15 / 6
9
45 (15)
16 / 3
Midnight - 4 a.m. (secondary enforcement)
First 12 months: no more than 1 under 21 (secondary enforcement) Thereafter: no more than 3 under 21 under certain conditions (secondary enforcement)
18 years
15 15 / 6 without driver's ed.
6
50 (10)
16
1 a.m. - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement)
First 6 months: no passengers under 20 Remainder: no more than 3 passengers under 20 (secondary enforcement)
17 years
15
6
50 (10); 0 with driver's ed.
16
10 p.m. - 5 a.m.
First 6 months: no passengers under 20 Second 6 months: no more than one passenger under 20
Teen and Novice Drivers
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) programs allow young drivers to safely gain driving experience before obtaining full driving privileges. Most programs include three stages:
- Learner Stage: supervised driving, cumulating with a driving test;
- Intermediate Stage: limiting unsupervised driving in high risk situations; and
- Full Privilege Stage: a standard driver's license.
During the 1990s, many states began enacting GDL laws. The programs and types of restrictions vary from state to state. Below are some highlights:
- Cell Phones/Texting: 37 states and D.C. ban all cell phone use by novice drivers. (See GHSA's Cell Phone laws page for more information.)
- Nighttime Driving Restriction: All states except Vermont restrict nighttime driving during the intermediate stage.
- Passenger Restriction: 47 states and D.C. restrict the number of passengers during the intermediate stage.
- Novice Driver Decal: New Jersey is the only state with a measure requiring those younger than 21 without full-privilege licenses to display a decal on their vehicle identifying them as new drivers.
NOTE: GHSA does not compile any additional data on GDL laws other than what is presented here. For more information, consult the appropriate State Highway Safety Office.
Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and State Highway Safety Offices.
Laws last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2023.