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.
Last updated in May 2024. Laws last reviewed by State Highway Safety Offices in March 2024.
| Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Privilege Minimum Age
17 years |
Full Privilege Minimum Age
18 years |
Full Privilege Minimum Age
Nighttime driving: 17 years Driving with passengers: 16 years, 6 months |
Full Privilege Minimum Age
16 years, 6 months |
| Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15 |
| Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
18 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
12 |
| Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
50 (10) |
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
30 (10) |
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
40 (10) |
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
40 (10) |
| Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 |
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 |
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 |
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 |
| Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
11 p.m. - 6 a.m. |
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
Midnight - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement) |
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
Midnight - 5 a.m. |
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
No restriction |
| Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
No more than 1 |
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
No more than 1 under 21 (secondary enforcement) |
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
First 6 months: no passengers (secondary enforcement) |
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
First 3 months: no passengers Second 3 months: no passengers except family (secondary enforcement |
17 years
15
6
50 (10)
16
11 p.m. - 6 a.m.
No more than 1
18 years
15
6
30 (10)
16
Midnight - 5 a.m. (secondary enforcement)
No more than 1 under 21 (secondary enforcement)
Nighttime driving: 17 years Driving with passengers: 16 years, 6 months
15
18
40 (10)
16
Midnight - 5 a.m.
First 6 months: no passengers (secondary enforcement)
16 years, 6 months
15
12
40 (10)
16
No restriction
First 3 months: no passengers Second 3 months: no passengers except family (secondary enforcement
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 (SHSO).
Sources: Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and SHSOs.
Last updated in May 2024. Laws last reviewed by SHSOs in March 2024.