Guide to Teen Driving Laws by State

Because teens are inexperienced drivers, they are at a much higher risk of getting into a car accident than adult drivers.

The various laws governing teen drivers are designed to ensure they learn to drive safely under supervision and to limit the highest-risk behaviors.

GDL Programs

All states and the District of Columbia have some form of GDL program, which mandates that teens must learn how to drive under adult supervision. The specifics of GDL programs vary by state, but they typically consist of three stages:

• Stage 1: Learner’s/instructional permit. A teen must take a vision test and a written road knowledge test to receive their permit. After that, they can only drive while accompanied by a parent or guardian, or another adult who is a licensed driver. All vehicle occupants must wear seat belts. If the police pull a teen over and find they have any blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over 0 percent, it will count as a DUI. After six months with no crashes or traffic violation convictions, a teen may apply for an intermediate license.
• Stage 2: Intermediate license. To receive their intermediate license, a teen has to take a driving test. Then, for the most part, they may drive without adult supervision, unless they’re driving at night or with multiple passengers. After 12 consecutive months with no crashes or traffic violations, or after they turn 18, teens acquire their full license.
• Stage 3: Full license. This is an unrestricted license, the same as what most adults hold.

Curfews

Limited visibility, fatigue, and an increased number of drunk drivers on the road make driving at night dangerous for all drivers, but it’s a particularly large risk for teens.

Per mile driven, the fatal crash rate of 16- to 19-year-olds is about three times as high as that of adult drivers between the age of 30 to 59-years old.³ That’s why many states impose a curfew that limits night driving for teenagers. While many curfews begin around midnight, research finds that nighttime teen crashes often occur between 9 p.m. and midnight.⁴

Passengers

The presence of passengers is another high-risk situation for teen drivers. According to a study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teen drivers are two-and-a-half times more likely to demonstrate potentially unsafe behaviors with another teen in the car compared to when driving solo. The possibility of a fatal crash also increases in direct connection to the number of teenagers in a car.⁵

Phones

Distracted driving is dangerous for all drivers, including teens. In 2023, eight percent of fatal teen crashes involved distracted driving.⁶ Because distracted driving can pose such a risk, most GDL programs place specific restrictions on phone use for teen drivers.

For example, some states allow hands-free cell phone use for adult drivers but do not allow teens the same privilege. In some states, teens cannot use any electronic devices while driving, whether handheld or hands-free.

School Performance

Some states link teen driving privileges to school performance. For example, in Alabama, for every disciplinary point a teen receives after age 12 (e.g., for suspension or truancy), they must wait an additional week before applying for a learner’s permit. Other states require teens to be enrolled in school or have a high school diploma or equivalent in order to obtain a permit or license.

Teen Driving Restrictions by State

Depending on your state, teen driving restrictions may vary. For example, stricter states like California, Delaware, and Connecticut require teens to be at least 15.5 to 16 years old before getting a learner’s permit. They also require older supervising drivers, usually mandating that they be at least 25 years of age.

Here are five states with stricter teen driving laws:

On the other hand, states like Alaska, Arkansas, and Arizona have fewer restrictions. Teen drivers can get permits at age 14 or 15. Additionally, during the permit stage, drivers have fewer rules limiting passengers and setting curfews.

Here are five states with more lenient teen driving laws:

To encourage safer driving, states subject teens to harsher penalties than adult drivers.

Alcohol

Surprisingly, teen drivers are less likely than adults to drink and drive. Over the past 30 years, raising the minimum drinking age to 21, zero-tolerance underage BAC laws, and GDL restrictions like required adult supervision and curfews have all contributed to a decrease in teen drinking and driving.

However, due to teens’ inexperience, their crash risk is higher when they do drink and drive. Of drivers between 15 and 20 years old who were in a fatal crash, 30 percent had BAC levels of 0.01 percent, while 25 percent had BACs of 0.08 percent or more.⁷

Many states impose stricter DUI laws on teens than adult drivers. For example, while all states as well as Washington, D.C., have a BAC limit of 0.08 percent, many states charge drivers under the age of 21 with DUI if their BAC is above 0 or 0.02 percent.

Additionally, some states impose driving restrictions as a punishment for underage consumption of, possession of, or attempts to buy alcohol. These are known as “use/lose laws,” and they can either be mandatory or at the court’s discretion. States with these restrictions also have stricter underage drinking and driving laws, including Texas and North Carolina:

Meanwhile, states like New York, Ohio, and Indiana have more lenient restrictions. They usually don’t have use/lose laws, along with a higher BAC limit for drivers under 21:

Other Violations

Violations like speeding or not following the restrictions of the GDL can result in delays of license progressions and other penalties specific to teens.

In addition to ensuring teen drivers follow all state laws, it’s a good idea to establish rules and expectations for teens about appropriate and safe driving behavior. You might even write out a parent-teen driving agreement to make sure you’re on the same page about driving privileges.

The cost of auto insurance for teens is higher than it is for adults because insurance providers consider teens high-risk drivers. In addition, insuring a teenage boy is typically more expensive than it is for a teenage girl. That’s because male teen drivers cause more crashes than any other group.

The cost of auto insurance for teens decreases by age. The cost of car insurance for 16-year-olds is the highest, with an annual average of $5,540 The cost of car insurance for 19-year-olds is the lowest, with an annual average of $3,563.

The average annual cost of auto insurance for 17-year-olds and the average annual cost of auto insurance for 18-year-olds are $4,853 and $4,412, respectively.

Usually, it’s cheaper to add a teen to your auto policy, rather than buy them a separate policy. To find the best deal, get quotes from a few providers and ask about discounts. It’s best if a teen drives a vehicle with safety features that isn’t too expensive, as it will most likely need repairs.

Due to their inexperience, teens are subject to stricter driving laws, face increased penalties for violations, and pay the most for insurance. Teens and their families should familiarize themselves with teen driving laws in order to avoid penalties and stay safe on the road.