What is a Provisional License? Guide to Restrictions in Each State

If you’re under 18 years old in most states, the provisional license or intermediate license is your final step before receiving your full, unsupervised driver’s license.

This page will cover everything you need to know about getting your provisional license, obeying the driving restrictions, and moving on to your full driver’s license as soon as possible.

What is a Provisional License?

A provisional driver’s license, also known as an intermediate license, is the step between your learner’s permit and full driver’s license.

A provisional license allows you to drive a car by yourself with some restrictions designed to limit your exposure to high risk driving situations.

This is part of the graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs in each state that are designed to help young drivers develop the necessary skills and experience before gaining full driving privileges.

Provisional license restrictions vary slightly from state to state, but typically involve:

• Restrictions on driving with young passengers.
• Restrictions on driving during certain hours at night.

Driving with friends can be distracting, and driving at night can be more dangerous.

These restrictions are designed to help young drivers build the necessary driving skills before having to deal with more challenging scenarios.

Keep reading to see the passenger and nighttime driving restrictions in each state.

How to Get a Provisional License

If you are between the ages of 15 and 18 years old, the provisional license is the step you’ll need to take after satisfying the requirements of your learner’s permit.

To get a provisional license, you’ll need to:

• Reach the minimum age (ranging from 15 to 16, depending on the state).
• Have held your learner’s permit for the minimum amount of time (typically 6 months to 1 year).
• Have completed your supervised driving requirements and kept a log of your hours. (Typically 50 hours of supervised driving with at least 10 hours completed at night).
• Have completed driver’s training with a commercial driving instructor, if necessary.
• Pass the DMV driving test.

When you are ready to visit the DMV for your driving test, be sure to have:

• Proper documentation that you’ve completed the driver’s training portion of Driver’s Ed.
• A signed log of your supervised driving hours.
• Your learner’s permit.
• Proof of your identity, age, legal presence, and residency.
• A car that is eligible for you to take the road test in.
• Proof of car insurance.
• Proof of school enrollment, if necessary.

Additionally, you will need to be accompanied by your supervising driver (typically your parent or legal guardian) when you go to the DMV to take your driving test. If you drive there by yourself, you may face penalties.

Before you head to the DMV for your test, be sure to check out our expert tips for passing the driving test on your first try.

Once you pass, you’ll be able to begin driving by yourself with a few restrictions.

Keep reading to learn about the rules you’ll need to follow with your provisional license.

At what age can you get a provisional license?

Depending on what state you live in, the minimum age to get your provisional license will range from about 15 to 16 years old, with most states requiring you to be at least 16.

Your eligibility to get your provisional license when you reach the minimum age will depend on whether or not you were able to get your learner’s permit as soon as you were eligible and complete the requirements in time.

Check out the list below for the minimum age in which you’d be able to get your provisional license in each state.

For more information about the steps for getting your driver’s license, check out our simplified guides for each state.

Why do teen drivers have driving restrictions?

Learning how to drive and driving by yourself can be challenging.

In fact, developing the skills and experience necessary to be a safe driver is an ongoing and never ending process.

Each state has developed its teen licensing laws to ensure the process is as safe as possible for the new drivers themselves and everyone else on the road.

The main stages of licensing for teen drivers include:

• Learner’s permit stage, in which you’ll learn to drive while supervised.
• Intermediate license state, in which you’ll be able to drive by yourself with certain restrictions.
• Full driving privileges, where your restrictions will be lifted.

These rules are in place because studies have shown that younger, less experienced drivers are at a much higher risk to be involved in an accident.

The risk has been shown to increase during the night and when other teens are in the car with them.

Each stage of the graduated license process is designed to help remove distractions, reduce the risk of a crash, and provide new drivers with enough time to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to drive responsibly by themselves.

When are the driving restrictions lifted?

The timeframe for teen driving restrictions vary by state.

Depending on where you live and hold your license, you’ll either need to wait out the minimum time frame for the intermediate license stage or wait until you turn a certain age.

On average most states will lift the teen driving restrictions at the earlier of either:

• 6 months to 1 year of having an intermediate license.
• Once you turn 18 years old.

Why do teen drivers have driving restrictions?

Learning how to drive and driving by yourself can be challenging.

In fact, developing the skills and experience necessary to be a safe driver is an ongoing and never ending process.

Each state has developed its teen licensing laws to ensure the process is as safe as possible for the new drivers themselves and everyone else on the road.

The main stages of licensing for teen drivers include:

• Learner’s permit stage, in which you’ll learn to drive while supervised.
• Intermediate license state, in which you’ll be able to drive by yourself with certain restrictions.
• Full driving privileges, where your restrictions will be lifted.

These rules are in place because studies have shown that younger, less experienced drivers are at a much higher risk to be involved in an accident.

The risk has been shown to increase during the night and when other teens are in the car with them.

Each stage of the graduated license process is designed to help remove distractions, reduce the risk of a crash, and provide new drivers with enough time to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to drive responsibly by themselves.

When are the driving restrictions lifted?

The timeframe for teen driving restrictions vary by state.

Depending on where you live and hold your license, you’ll either need to wait out the minimum time frame for the intermediate license stage or wait until you turn a certain age.

On average most states will lift the teen driving restrictions at the earlier of either:

• 6 months to 1 year of having an intermediate license.
• Once you turn 18 years old.

Provisional License Rules by State

Below, you’ll find the driving restrictions with a provisional license in each state.

Alabama

To qualify for an Alabama provisional license, you’ll need:

• To be at least 16.
• To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
• To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, or none if you complete driver’s education.

The passenger restrictions for an Alabama provisional license are:

• No more than 1 passenger.

The night driving restrictions with an Alabama provisional license are:

• No driving between midnight and 6 a.m.

Alaska

To qualify for an Alaska provisional license, you’ll need:

• To be at least 16.
• To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
• To complete 40 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night or bad weather.

The passenger restrictions for an Alaska provisional license are:

• No passengers under 21 years old.

The night driving restrictions with an Alaska provisional license are:

• No driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Arizona

To qualify for an Arizona provisional license, you’ll need:

• To be at least 16.
• To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
• To complete 30 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.
  • This requirement is waived if you complete driver education.

  The passenger restrictions for an Arizona provisional license are:

  • No more than 1 passenger under 18 years old.

  The night driving restrictions with an Arizona provisional license are:

  • No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

  Arkansas

  To qualify for an Arkansas provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.

  The passenger restrictions for an Arkansas provisional license are:

  • No more than 1 passenger under 21.

  The night driving restrictions with an Arkansas provisional license are:

  • No driving between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.

  California

  To qualify for a California provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a California provisional license are:

  • No passengers under 20, except for immediate family members.

  The night driving restrictions with a California provisional license are:

  • No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

  Colorado

  To qualify for a Colorado provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 12 months.
  • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Colorado provisional license are:

  • No passengers for the first 6 months.
  • No more than 1 passenger for the second 6 months.

  The night driving restrictions with a Colorado provisional license are:

  • No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

  Connecticut

  To qualify for a Connecticut provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16 years 4 months old.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months or 4 months with driver’s education.
  • To complete 40 hours of supervised driving.

  The passenger restrictions for a Connecticut provisional license are:

  • No passengers other than your parents or a driving instructor for the first 6 months.
  • No passengers other than parents, driving instructors, or immediate family members for the second 6 months.

  The night driving restrictions with a Connecticut provisional license are:

  • No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

  Delaware

  To qualify for a Delaware provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16 ½.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Delaware provisional license are:

  • No more than 1 passenger.

  The night driving restrictions with a Delaware provisional license are:

  • No driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

  Florida

  To qualify for a Florida provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 12 months.
  • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  There are no passenger restrictions with a Florida provisional license are:

  The night driving restrictions with a Florida provisional license are:

  • No driving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. for provisional license holders who are 16 years old.
  • No driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. for provisional license holders who are 17.

  Georgia

  To qualify for a Georgia provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 12 months.
  • To complete 40 hours of supervised driving, with at least 6 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Georgia provisional license are:

  • No passengers for the first 6 months.
  • No more than 1 passenger under 21 for the second 6 months.
  • No more than 3 passengers after that until you reach an unrestricted license.

  The night driving restrictions with a Georgia provisional license are:

  • No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

  Hawaii

  To qualify for a Hawaii provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Hawaii provisional license are:

  • No more than 1 passenger under 18 years old, other than family members.

  The night driving restrictions with a Hawaii provisional license are:

  • No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

  Idaho

  To qualify for an Idaho provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 15.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Idaho provisional license are:

  • No more than 1 passenger under 17 if you are 16 or younger.

  The night driving restrictions with a Idaho provisional license are:

  • No driving between sunrise and sunset.

  Illinois

  To qualify for an Illinois provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 9 months.
  • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for an Illinois provisional license are:

  • No more than 1 passenger under 20 for the first 12 months.

  The night driving restrictions with an Illinois provisional license are:

  • No driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday.
  • No driving from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Friday to Saturday.

  Indiana

  To qualify for an Indiana provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16 years 3 months old.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for an Indiana provisional license are:

  The night driving restrictions with an Indiana provisional license are:

  • No driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the first 6 months.
  • After that, no driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. from Sunday to Friday, and no driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Saturday to Sunday.

  Iowa

  To qualify for an Iowa provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 12 months.
  • To complete 20 hours of supervised driving, with at least 2 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for an Iowa provisional license are:

  • Limited to parental discretion.

  The night driving restrictions with an Iowa provisional license are:

  • No driving from 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m.

  Kansas

  To qualify for a Kansas provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 12 months.
  • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Kansas provisional license are:

  • No more than 1 passenger under 18.

  The night driving restrictions with a Kansas provisional license are:

  • No driving between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.

  Kentucky

  To qualify for a Kentucky provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16 ½.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 60 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Kentucky provisional license are:

  • No more than 1 passenger under 20 years old, unless you are accompanied by a driving instructor.

  The night driving restrictions with a Kentucky provisional license are:

  • No driving between midnight and 6 a.m.

  Louisiana

  To qualify for a Louisiana provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 15 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Louisiana provisional license are:

  • No more than 1 passenger under 21 between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m.
  • No restrictions from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  The night driving restrictions with a Louisiana provisional license are:

  • No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

  Maine

  To qualify for a Maine provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 70 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Maine provisional license are:

  The night driving restrictions with a Maine provisional license are:

  • No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

  Maryland

  To qualify for a Maryland provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16 ½.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 9 months.
  • To complete 60 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Maryland provisional license are:

  • No passengers under 18 years old.

  The night driving restrictions with a Maryland provisional license are:

  • No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

  Massachusetts

  To qualify for a Massachusetts provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16 ½.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 40 hours of supervised driving.

  The passenger restrictions for a Massachusetts provisional license are:

  • No passengers under 18 years old.

  The night driving restrictions with a Massachusetts provisional license are:

  • No driving between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m.

  Michigan

  To qualify for a Michigan provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Michigan provisional license are:

  • No more than 1 passenger under 21.

  The night driving restrictions with a Michigan provisional license are:

  • No driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

  Minnesota

  To qualify for a Minnesota provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 40 hours of supervised driving, with at least 15 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Minnesota provisional license are:

  • No more than 1 passenger under 20 for the first 6 months.
  • No more than 3 passengers under 20 for the next 6 months.

  The night driving restrictions with a Minnesota provisional license are:

  • No driving from midnight to 5 a.m.

  Mississippi

  To qualify for a Mississippi provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 12 months.

  There are no passenger restrictions for a Mississippi provisional license.

  The night driving restrictions with a Mississippi provisional license are:

  • No driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday to Thursday.
  • No driving between 11:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday to Saturday.

  Missouri

  To qualify for a Missouri provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 40 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Missouri provisional license are:

  • No more than 1 passenger under 19 for the first 6 months.
  • No more than 3 passengers under 19 after that.

  The night driving restrictions with a Missouri provisional license are:

  • No driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

  Montana

  To qualify for a Montana provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 15.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

  The passenger restrictions for a Montana provisional license are:

  • No more than 1 passenger under 18 for the first 6 months.
  • No more than 3 passengers under 18 for the second 6 months.

  The night driving restrictions with a Montana provisional license are:

  • No driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

  Nebraska

  To qualify for a Nebraska provisional license, you’ll need:

  • To be at least 16.
  • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
  • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.
    • This requirement is waived if you complete driver’s education.

    The passenger restrictions for a Nebraska provisional license are:

    • No more than 1 passenger younger than 19.

    The night driving restrictions with a Nebraska provisional license are:

    • No driving from midnight to 6 a.m.

    Nevada

    To qualify for a Nevada provisional license, you’ll need:

    • To be at least 16.
    • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
    • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.
      • No supervised driving is required with driver’s education.

      The passenger restrictions for a Nevada provisional license are:

      • No passengers under 18 years old.

      The night driving restrictions with a Nevada provisional license are:

      • No driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

      New Hampshire

      To qualify for a New Hampshire provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16.
      • To complete 40 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for a New Hampshire provisional license are:

      • No more than 1 passenger under 25.

      The night driving restrictions with a New Hampshire provisional license are:

      • No driving from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m.

      New Jersey

      To qualify for a New Jersey provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 17.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.

      The passenger restrictions for a New Jersey provisional license are:

      • No more than 1 passenger other than any dependents.

      The night driving restrictions with a New Jersey provisional license are:

      • No driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

      New Mexico

      To qualify for a New Mexico provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 15 ½.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for a New Mexico provisional license are:

      • No more than 1 passenger under 21.

      The night driving restrictions with a New Mexico provisional license are:

      • No driving from midnight to 5 a.m.

      New York

      To qualify for a New York provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16 ½.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 15 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for a New York provisional license are:

      • No more than 1 passenger under 21.

      The night driving restrictions with a New York provisional license are:

      • No unsupervised driving in NYC.
      • Daytime driving only on Long Island.
      • No driving between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. elsewhere in New York.

      North Carolina

      To qualify for a North Carolina provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least12 months.
      • To complete 60 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for a North Carolina provisional license are:

      • No more than 1 passenger under 21.

      The night driving restrictions with a North Carolina provisional license are:

      • No driving between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.

      North Dakota

      To qualify for a North Dakota provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 12 months if you are under 16 years old, 6 months or until age 18 if you are at least 16 years old.
      • To complete50 hours of supervised driving if you are under 16.

      There are no passenger restrictions for a North Dakota provisional license.

      The night driving restrictions with a North Dakota provisional license are:

      • No driving between sunset (or 9 p.m.) and 5 a.m.

      Ohio

      To qualify for an Ohio provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for an Ohio provisional license are:

      • No more than 1 passenger for the first 12 months.

      The night driving restrictions with an Ohio provisional license are:

      • No driving between midnight and 6 a.m. for the first 12 months.
      • No driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. for the second 12 months.

      Oklahoma

      To qualify for an Oklahoma provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for an Oklahoma provisional license are:

      • No more than 1 passenger.

      The night driving restrictions with an Oklahoma provisional license are:

      • No driving between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.

      Oregon

      To qualify for an Oregon provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, or 100 if you do not complete driver’s education.

      The passenger restrictions for an Oregon provisional license are:

      • No passenger under 20 for the first 6 months.
      • No more than 3 passengers under 20 for the second 6 months.

      The night driving restrictions with an Oregon provisional license are:

      • No driving between midnight and 5 a.m.

      Pennsylvania

      To qualify for a Pennsylvania provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16 ½.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 65 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night and 5 in bad weather.

      The passenger restrictions for a Pennsylvania provisional license are:

      • No more than 1 passenger under 18 for the first 6 months.
      • After that, no more than 3 passengers.

      The night driving restrictions with a Pennsylvania provisional license are:

      • No driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

      Rhode Island

      To qualify for a Rhode Island provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16 ½.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for a Rhode Island provisional license are:

      • No more than 1 passenger under 21.

      The night driving restrictions with a Rhode Island provisional license are:

      • No driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

      South Carolina

      To qualify for a South Carolina provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 15 ½.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 40 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for a South Carolina provisional license are:

      • No more than 2 passengers under 21 unless going to or from school.

      The night driving restrictions with a South Carolina provisional license are:

      • No driving from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. during EST.
      • No driving from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. during EDT.

      South Dakota

      To qualify for a South Dakota provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 14 years 9 months old.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 9 months, or 6 months if you complete driver’s education.
      • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night and 10 during bad weather.

      The passenger restrictions for a South Dakota provisional license are:

      • No passengers for the first 6 months.
      • No more than 1 passenger under 18 after tha.

      The night driving restrictions with a South Dakota provisional license are:

      • No driving from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

      Tennessee

      To qualify for a Tennessee provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for a Tennessee provisional license are:

      • No more than 1 passenger.

      The night driving restrictions with a Tennessee provisional license are:

      • No driving from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.

      Texas

      To qualify for a Texas provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 30 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for a Texas provisional license are:

      • No more than 1 passenger under 21.

      The night driving restrictions with a Texas provisional license are:

      • No driving from midnight to 5 a.m.

      Utah

      To qualify for a Utah provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 40 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for a Utah provisional license are:

      The night driving restrictions with a Utah provisional license are:

      • No driving from midnight to 5 a.m.

      Vermont

      To qualify for a Vermont provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 12 months.
      • To complete 40 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for a Vermont provisional license are:

      There are no night driving restrictions with a Vermont provisional license.

      Virginia

      To qualify for a Virginia provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16 years 3 months old.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 9 months.
      • To complete45 hours of supervised driving, with at least15 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for a Virginia provisional license are:

      • No more than 1 passenger under 21 for the first 12 months.
      • No more than 3 passengers under 21 after that.

      The night driving restrictions with a Virginia provisional license are:

      • No driving from midnight to 4 a.m.

      Washington

      To qualify for a Washington provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

      The passenger restrictions for a Washington provisional license are:

      • No passengers under 20 for the first 6 months.
      • No more than 3 passengers under 20 for the next 6 months.

      The night driving restrictions with a Washington provisional license are:

      • No driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.

      Washington DC

      To qualify for a Washington DC provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16 ½.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 40 hours of supervised driving.

      The passenger restrictions for a Washington DC provisional license are:

      The night driving restrictions with a Washington DC provisional license are:

      • No driving from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and 12:01 to 6 a.m. Saturday to Sunday from September to June.
      • No driving from 12:01 a.m. to 6 a.m. from July to August.

      West Virginia

      To qualify for a West Virginia provisional license, you’ll need:

      • To be at least 16.
      • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
      • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.
        • This is not required with driver’s education.

        The passenger restrictions for a West Virginia provisional license are:

        • No passengers under 20 for the first 6 months.
        • No more than 1 passenger under 20 for the second 6 months.

        The night driving restrictions with a West Virginia provisional license are:

        • No driving from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

        Wisconsin

        To qualify for a Wisconsin provisional license, you’ll need:

        • To be at least 16.
        • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months.
        • To complete 30 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

        The passenger restrictions for a Wisconsin provisional license are:

        • No more than 1 passenger.

        The night driving restrictions with a Wisconsin provisional license are:

        • No driving from midnight to 5 a.m.

        Wyoming

        To qualify for a Wyoming provisional license, you’ll need:

        • To be at least 16.
        • To have held your learner’s permit for at least 10 days.
        • To complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours completed at night.

        The passenger restrictions for a Wyoming provisional license are:

        • No more than 1 passenger under 18.

        The night driving restrictions with a Wyoming provisional license are:

        • No driving from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

        Can you drive siblings with a provisional license?

        In some states, immediate family members and young siblings are excluded from the provisional license passenger restrictions. Refer to the details for your state above.

        In states where driving with your siblings is allowed, you should be sure that:

        • Every child is in the proper seat.
        • Everyone is wearing their seat belt and young children are seated in appropriate car seats.

        If driving with siblings is not allowed, you will need to check if your reason for transporting them qualifies as a provisional license exemption.

        Note, passenger restrictions and nighttime restrictions do not typically apply if the provisional license holder is accompanied by a qualified supervising driver who is seated in the passenger seat next to them.

        What happens if you get caught driving someone with a provisional license?

        If you are pulled over and found to be in violation of the state’s provisional license restrictions, you may face:

        • Tickets and fines.
        • A suspended license.
        • A revoked license.
        • Points added to your driver’s license.

        Once you have a provisional license, violating the rules is not worth it. At this point, you’ll be so close to getting your unrestricted license, that trying to get around the rules is an unnecessary risk to your driving privilege.

        Now, in some states, there are some situations in which you may be exempt from the provisional license restrictions. Exemptions may include:

        • Driving for school-related activities when you have a written and signed note from a person with the appropriate authority.
        • Driving for medical emergencies.
        • Driving for work-related purposes with proper documentation.
        • Driving for family-related needs, with proper signed documentation.

        For all of these, you’ll typically need to be carrying a signed note that:

        • Details the reason for your trip.
        • Includes contact information of the person authorizing the exemption.
        • Includes the signature of the authorized person.
        • Includes the dates and times that the exemption should be recognized.

        You should confirm with your state if your reason qualifies for a legitimate exemption. If you do qualify, be sure to carry any necessary documentation or paperwork that proves you have a valid reason for being exempt from the rule.

        How long do you have to have a provisional license?

        Your provisional driver’s license restrictions will typically last for 6 months to 12 months or until your turn 17 or 18 years old, whichever comes first depending on the state.

        After the restrictions are lifted, you’ll be able to start driving by yourself with any passengers at any time of the day or night.

        After you’ve received your full driver’s license, it’s also a good time to compare car insurance rates.

        Here’s where parents of teen drivers will want to listen up. If you added your teen to your car insurance policy when they got their learner’s permit, your rates probably went up significantly.

        If your child will be staying on your policy for a while, it’s a great time to get some new car insurance quotes when they receive their full driver’s license.

        While they’ll still have higher rates due to the fact that they’re a young driver, the extra few years of experience plus the full driver’s license may help you save some money.

        Next Steps: Getting Your Unrestricted Driver’s License

        In most states, there is generally nothing more you’ll need to do once you’ve satisfied the requirements of your provisional license.

        After you’ve held the license for a specified amount of time and/or have turned the minimum age, your driving privileges will automatically be upgraded to unrestricted.

        Until you turn 21 years old, you’ll still have a vertical “under 21” license in most states.

        When you renew your driver’s license for the first time (after you turn 21), the next license you receive will be horizontal.