Young driver licensing systems in the U.S.

The first step to becoming a licensed driver is a learner permit. In this stage, teens can only drive with adult supervision. States can reduce teens’ fatal crashes by raising the minimum permit age.

Minimum permit age ranges from 14 years to 16 years across the United States.

Most states require a minimum number of supervised hours behind the wheel before progressing from the learner stage to an intermediate license. Requiring more practice hours reduces the number of collision claims filed for novice drivers.

Across the United States, required practice amounts range from 0 hours to 65 hours.

The older teens are when they first become eligible for a license, the fewer fatal crashes there are. Increasing this minimum age is a proven way to reduce crashes and deaths among young drivers.

Minimum license age ranges from 14 years 3 months to 17 years across the United States.

Most states restrict teens in the intermediate stage of licensure from driving without adult supervision at night. Starting times vary. Restrictions that start at 9 p.m. reduce teen driver fatal crash rates an estimated 18 percent and collision claim frequencies an estimated 8 percent, compared with no restriction.

Night driving start times range from 1:00 am to 8:00 pm. Restrictions in some states vary by the time of year.

When a beginning driver travels with other teens in the car, the risk of a fatal crash increases. Most states limit the number of passengers that may ride along with intermediate-stage drivers without adult supervision. When teen passengers are prohibited, 15-to-17-year-old drivers’ fatal crash rates are 21 percent lower than when two or more are allowed. Allowing only one teen passenger reduces the rate 7 percent.