Can I Drive by Myself with a Permit? Helpful state by state table

Known by a few different names—driver’s permit, learner’s permit, and provisional license―a permit is a restricted license that can be obtained in between learning to drive and getting a legal driver’s license. However, depending on the state that you live in, there may be some restrictions placed on a person with a permit, which might lead you to ask, can I drive by myself with a permit?

Although every state imposes its own rules around driving with a permit, people with only a learner’s permit cannot typically drive by themselves and must have a licensed person over a certain age with them.

However, as stated above, each state has different rules and regulations that people with a permit must follow. In most states, drivers must have a licensed driver over the age of 21 driving with them, while other states require you to drive with someone who has held their license for a certain number of years and has not had any traffic tickets within that time frame.

Continue reading to learn more about what you can and cannot do with a learner’s permit and some of the age requirements of each state.

What Is a Driver’s Permit?

A driver’s permit is a provisional license that allows someone, typically a teenager, to drive before they have obtained their legal driver’s license. It allows an individual to drive with another, fully licensed, individual to get the practice they need to apply for a legal driver’s license.

Although this is a safe way for people to practice driving, individuals who hold only a learner’s license do not have the same freedoms that an individual with a legal license has. For example, they cannot drive by themselves, and may not be able to drive with other young passengers in the vehicle.

License Stages

In the United States, there are certain steps an individual must take before they can become a fully licensed driver. While these steps may vary by state, the most common path is outlined below:

1. Study the rules and regulations: Individuals can study the DMV handbook to learn the various rules and regulations, which will be included on the permit test.
2. Take the permit test: This test is designed to test individuals on what they read in the handbook and includes questions on intoxicated driving, road signs, and different road laws.
3. Take Driver Education: Some states may require individuals under a certain age to take a Driver Education (Driver’s Ed) course before they can receive their permit. The course will teach individuals about the information included in the handbook and allow them time to practice driving with a certified instructor.
4. Practice driving: Before getting a license, individuals will have to complete a certain number of daytime/nighttime driving hours. However, whoever the driver can drive with may be restricted in some states.
5. Pass the Driver’s Test: Once an individual has logged all their driving hours with their permit, and a specified period has elapsed (typically 3-6 months), they may apply to take the driver’s test. A certified instructor will ride with the driver and instruct them to follow a series of instructions while inspecting their driving habits. If an individual follows all the driving laws, they will receive their license.
6. Restricted driving: Some states will require young adults to stay under certain restrictions until they have reached a certain age. These restrictions may include things like not driving with other young adults.
7. Unrestricted driving: Eventually individuals will reach an age where, if they have completed all the earlier steps, they will become a fully licensed driver.

Do You Need a Learner’s Permit?

This depends entirely on the area in which you live. Some states require you to have one, while others do not. For example, in Maine, you must have a permit before getting your license. However, individuals under the age of 18 must have their permit for a minimum of six months, while individuals over the age of 21 do not have any minimum amount of time that they must hold their permit.

This means that someone over the age of 21 could theoretically pass their written permit test and take their road test on the same day.

It is important to note that all states require young adults to obtain a learner’s permit, and practice driving with a licensed adult before they can apply for a driver’s license. Additionally, some states require a certification of completion from a Driver Education course in addition to having a permit.

One of the restrictions of a driver’s permit is that the individual must have a supervising adult in the front seat while they are driving. The age of the supervising person varies by state and, depending on where you live, there may be other rules that must be followed.

Permit Restrictions For Each State

Below you can find more information about permit laws in your state. However, since laws are subject to change, you should always check with your local DMV to make sure that you understand the current laws in your area.

State	Permit – Minimum Age	Can you drive alone with a permit?	Who do you have to drive with?	Who can you have in your vehicle?
Alabama	15	No	A parent, legal guardian, or licensed adult over the age of 21. Must be seated in the front passenger seat.	No more than one non-family passenger.
Alaska	14	No	A licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age and has a minimum of one year’s driving experience in the type of vehicle you are driving. Must be seated in the front passenger seat.	No non-family passengers under 21.
Arizona	15 ½	No	A licensed driver over the age of 21 must always be seated in the front passenger seat.	No more than 1 non-family member under 18.
Arkansas	14	No	A licensed driver over the age of 21must always be seated in the front passenger seat.	No more than one non-family member under the age of 21.
California	15 1/2	No	A parent, guardian, spouse, or adult over the age of 25 with a California license must be present in the front passenger seat.	No non-family members under the age of 20.
Colorado	15 (With Driver Ed) 16 (Without Driver Ed)	No	A parent, guardian, driving instructor, or licensed adult over the age of 21 must be present in the front passenger seat.	No non-family passengers.
Connecticut	16	No	A parent, legal guardian, or certified instructor must be present in the front passenger seat.	No passengers are other than driving instructor, parent, or legal guardian.
Delaware	16	No	A parent, guardian, or licensed driver who is at least 25 and has held a license for at least five years must be present in the front passenger seat.	No more than one non-family passenger.
Florida	15	No	A parent, guardian, or adult who is at least 21 years old must be present in the front passenger seat.	No non-family passengers.
Georgia	15	No	A parent, legal guardian, or adult who is at least 21 years old and has a valid license must be present in the front passenger seat.	No non-family passengers.
Hawaii	15 1/2	No	A parent, legal guardian, or adult who is at least 21 years old and has a valid license must be present in the front passenger seat.	No more than one non-family passenger under the age of 18.
Idaho	14 1/2	No	Must be accompanied by a driver who is at least 21 years old and seated in the front passenger seat.	No non-family passengers.
Illinois	15	No	Must be accompanied by someone who is at least 21 years old, has a valid license, and has at least one year of driving experience.	No more than one non-family passenger under the age of 20.
Indiana	15 (With Drivers Ed) 16 (Without Drivers Ed)	No	Must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 25 years of age or a spouse who is at least 21 years of age.	No non-family passengers.
Iowa	14	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.	No more than one non-family passenger under the age of 18 unless waived by parents.
Kansas	14	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.	No more than one non-sibling passenger.
Kentucky	16	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.	No more than one non-family passenger unless supervised by an instructor.
Louisiana	15	No	Must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed driver over 21 years old.	No more than one non-family member under the age of 21 between 6PM and 5AM.
Maine	15	No	Must be accompanied by an adult who is at least 20 and has held a valid license for at least two years.	No non-family passengers.
Maryland	15 ¾	No	Must be accompanied by a qualified driver who is at least 21 and has held a valid license for at least three years.	No non-family passengers under 18 years old.
Massachusetts	16	No	Must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who has held a valid license for at least one year.	No non-family passengers under 18 years old.
Michigan	14 ¾	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.	No more than one non-family passenger under 21 years old.
Minnesota	15	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.	No more than one non-family member under 20 years old.
Mississippi	15	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.	No non-family passengers.
Missouri	15	No	Must be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, grandparent, instructor, or licensed driver over the age of 25 who has had their license at least three years.	No more than one non-family member under 19 years old.
Montana	14 ½	No	Must be accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed driver over the age of 18.	No more than one non-family member under 18 years old.
Nebraska	15	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.	No more than one non-family member under 19 years old.
Nevada	15 ½	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.	No non-family passengers under 18 years old.
New Hampshire	15 ½	No	Do not issue “learner permits” but instead people get their license and have a probationary period.	No more than one non-family member under 25.
New Jersey	16	No	Must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21 who has held a valid license for at least 3 years.	No more than one passenger.
New Mexico	15	No	Must be accompanied by another licensed driver.	No more than one non-family member under 21 years old.
New York	16	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed adult over 21 years of age.	No more than one non-family member under 21 years old.
North Carolina	15	No	Must be accompanied by an adult with a valid driver’s license.	No more than one non-family member under 21 years old. If carrying a family member under 21, no other passengers.
North Dakota	14	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed adult who has at least three years of driving experience and is 18 years or older.	No restrictions.
Ohio	15 ½	No	Must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21 who holds a valid license.	No more than one passenger.
Oklahoma	15 ½	No	Must be accompanied by an adult over 21 years of age who has held a valid license for at least two years.	No more than one passenger.
Oregon	15	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old.	No non-family passengers under the age of 20.
Pennsylvania	16	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age or a parent, guardian, or spouse who is at least 18 years old and licensed.	No more than one non-family member under 18 years old.
Rhode Island	16	No	Must be accompanied by an adult at least 20 years of age who has held a valid license for at least 5 years.	No more than one non-family member under 21 years old.
South Carolina	15	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age.	No more than 2 passengers under the age of 21 years old.
South Dakota	14	No	Must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who is licensed.	No non-family passengers.
Tennessee	15	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.	No more than one non-family member.
Texas	15	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and has held a valid license for at least one year.	No more than one non-family member under 21 years old.
Utah	15	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old.	No non-family passengers.
Vermont	15	No	Must be accompanied by an unimpaired parent, legal guardian, or certified instructor.	No non-family passengers.
Virginia	15 ½	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years of age or a licensed spouse over the age of 18.	No more than one non-family passenger under 21 years old.
Washington	15 (With Drivers Ed) 15 ½ (Without Drivers Ed)	No	Must be accompanied by someone who has held a valid license for at least five years.	No non-family passengers under 20 years old.
West Virginia	15	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years of age.	No non-family passengers under 20 years old.
Wisconsin	15 ½	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 25 years of age and has held a valid license for at least 2 years.	No more than one passenger.
Wyoming	15	No	Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 18 years of age.	No more than one non-family member under 18 years old.

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