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.
| New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Privilege Minimum Age
16 years, 6 months |
Full Privilege Minimum Age
17 years with driver's ed. 18 years without driver's ed. |
Full Privilege Minimum Age
16 years, 6 months |
Full Privilege Minimum Age
16 years |
| Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
14 |
| Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
6 |
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
12 for drivers under 16; otherwise, 6 months or until age 18 (whichever comes first) |
| Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
50 (10) |
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
50 (15) |
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
60 (10) during Learner Stage 2 (6) during Intermediate Stage |
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)
50 for drivers under 16; otherwise none |
| Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15 / 6 |
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 / 6 |
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16 |
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16; 15 for a parent-requested restricted license (restricted license may only operate a vehicle owned by their parents or legal guardian and may not drive a car with more passengers than the vehicle's manufacturer recommends) |
| Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
Midnight - 5 a.m. |
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
9 p.m. - 5 a.m. except NYC (unsupervised driving prohibited at all times) and Long Island (limited daytime unsupervised allowed) |
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
9 p.m. - 5 a.m. |
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
Sunset or 9 p.m. (whichever is later) - 5 a.m. |
| Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
No more than 1 under 21 |
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
No more than 1 under 21 |
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
No more than 1 under 21; if passenger under 21 is family, no other non-family passengers under 21 |
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
No restriction (other than vehicle manufacturer recommendations) |
16 years, 6 months
15
6
50 (10)
15 / 6
Midnight - 5 a.m.
No more than 1 under 21
17 years with driver's ed. 18 years without driver's ed.
16
6
50 (15)
16 / 6
9 p.m. - 5 a.m. except NYC (unsupervised driving prohibited at all times) and Long Island (limited daytime unsupervised allowed)
No more than 1 under 21
16 years, 6 months
15
6
60 (10) during Learner Stage 2 (6) during Intermediate Stage
16
9 p.m. - 5 a.m.
No more than 1 under 21; if passenger under 21 is family, no other non-family passengers under 21
16 years
14
12 for drivers under 16; otherwise, 6 months or until age 18 (whichever comes first)
50 for drivers under 16; otherwise none
16; 15 for a parent-requested restricted license (restricted license may only operate a vehicle owned by their parents or legal guardian and may not drive a car with more passengers than the vehicle's manufacturer recommends)
Sunset or 9 p.m. (whichever is later) - 5 a.m.
No restriction (other than vehicle manufacturer recommendations)
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.