How old do you have to be to drive in different states?

Just curious about when you can legally start driving in different states. I know some places let you get a permit at 15, while others make you wait until 18. Anyone else remember how old they were when they started driving? I got mine at 16 in Texas.

I got mine at 16 too, but I know in California you can get a permit at 15 and a half. The provisional license thing was a pain, though. No driving at night or with friends until I turned 18.

Gentry said:
I got mine at 16 too, but I know in California you can get a permit at 15 and a half. The provisional license thing was a pain, though. No driving at night or with friends until I turned 18.

Yeah, the provisional license was annoying! I had the same thing in New York—no driving after 9PM unless it was for school or work.

I had to wait until I was 18 to get my full license in Connecticut. We couldn’t even get a permit until we turned 16!

Arlo said:
I had to wait until I was 18 to get my full license in Connecticut. We couldn’t even get a permit until we turned 16!

Wow, 18? That’s a long wait compared to other states. Were there any restrictions once you got your license?

Arlo said:
I had to wait until I was 18 to get my full license in Connecticut. We couldn’t even get a permit until we turned 16!

Once I got it, there weren’t any curfews, but I still had to drive with a family member for the first few months.

In Florida, you can get a permit at 15, but you can’t get your full license until 18 unless you go through the provisional stages. I didn’t mind it too much, but some of my friends found it frustrating.

@Mickey
Same here in Arizona. The provisional license is weird, but I guess it makes sense for safety.

In Alaska, you can get a learner’s permit at 14! It’s wild that you can start so young up there.

Arlen said:
In Alaska, you can get a learner’s permit at 14! It’s wild that you can start so young up there.

14? That’s crazy young! But I guess it makes sense with the long distances up there.

Does anyone know if your permit lets you drive alone at all? I know with my learner’s, I had to have someone over 21 with me in the car the entire time.

Noah said:
Does anyone know if your permit lets you drive alone at all? I know with my learner’s, I had to have someone over 21 with me in the car the entire time.

Same here! No solo driving until you get your full license.

Noah said:
Does anyone know if your permit lets you drive alone at all? I know with my learner’s, I had to have someone over 21 with me in the car the entire time.

Makes sense for safety, but man, it felt like forever before I could drive on my own.