How Old Do You Need to Be to Drive?
Each state has different requirements as to when a new driver may obtain a license. Additionally, each state has various requirements for obtaining a learner's permit as well.
Other People Are Reading
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Permits
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Ten states allow teen drivers to obtain a permit at some point after reaching the age of 14. Thirty-two states allow permits at age 15, while the rest require the age of the permit driver to be at least 16.
Licenses
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Most states require persons to be 16 in order to become licensed drivers without supervision. Ten states plus the District of Columbia grant licenses a few months past the age of 16. South Dakota grants a license to the youngest age group at age 14 and six months. Idaho, Montana, Mississippi, New Mexico and South Carolina license drivers at some point between 15 and 16 years old.
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New Jersey
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New Jersey is the only state that grants licenses not until age 17. Permits may be granted at age 16. Decades of data have been analyzed, which indicate New Jersey has lower rates of teens killed in auto crashes per year than some of its nearby states.
Statistics
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The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety has advocated for all states to raise the legal driving age to at least 17. According to one study conducted by the National Highway Safety Administration, the rate per mile of fatal and nonfatal car crashes for 16-year-olds is almost 10 times the rate for the 30-to-59 age bracket.
Reasons for Raising the Legal Driving Age
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Advocates for raising the legal driving age point to several reasons, including lowering the rate of accidents, which in turn equates to lower insurance rates. Also, raising the driving age extends parental control, which in turn allows novice drivers additional time to mature behind the wheel.
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