States that issue licenses at 14

Only a handful of states issue a full driver's license at age 14. South Dakota, Montana, and North Dakota allow you to get an unrestricted license at 14 with a valid reason — usually farm work or ranch work. South Dakota requires you to live on a farm or ranch and have a need to operate a vehicle for agricultural purposes. Montana has similar rules tied to agricultural or ranching operations. North Dakota allows 14-year-olds to drive if they live in a rural area and need to operate a vehicle for farm or ranch work.

These three states are the only ones that issue a full, unrestricted license before age 16. Every other state requires you to be at least 15 or 16 to hold any kind of driver's license, though many offer a learner's permit at 14 or 15.

Key Takeaways

  • South Dakota, Montana, and North Dakota are the only states that issue a full driver's license at age 14, and all three require proof of agricultural or ranch work.
  • Most other states allow a learner's permit at 14 or 15, which lets you drive with a licensed adult in the car but not alone.
  • Learner's permit rules vary by state — some require classroom hours, a written test, or both before you can get one.
  • If you do not may have access to for a license or permit in your state at 14, you will need to wait until the minimum age your state sets, usually 15 or 16.

What a learner's permit lets you do at 14

If your state does not issue a license at 14, you may be able to get a learner's permit at that age. A learner's permit is not a license — it lets you drive only when a licensed adult is in the car with you, usually in the front passenger seat. The adult must be at least 18 or 21, depending on your state.

Most states that allow a learner's permit at 14 require you to pass a written test on traffic laws and road signs. Some states also require a certain number of classroom hours or an online course before you can take the test. A few states let you get a permit without classroom hours if you pass the written test. Check your state's Department of Motor Vehicles website to see what your state requires.

States with learner's permits at 14

States that allow a learner's permit at 14 include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. This list changes as states update their laws, so check your state's DMV website to confirm the current age requirement.

Each state sets its own rules for what you must do before you get a permit. Some require a parent or guardian to sign a form. Some require you to pass a vision test. Some require you to take a driver education course before you can get a permit, while others let you get a permit first and take the course later. A few states require both a written test and a driving test before you get a permit.

How to get a learner's permit at 14

To get a learner's permit, visit your state's Department of Motor Vehicles office or website. Bring a form of identification — usually a birth certificate, passport, or state ID. Bring proof of your address, such as a utility bill or lease in your parent's name. Bring your Social Security number or a document that shows it.

Most states require a parent or guardian to be present when you explore. Some states let you explore online, but you will still need to visit an office to take the written test and have your photo taken. The written test covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You usually have to score at least 80 percent to pass. If you fail, you can retake the test after a waiting period — usually a few days to a week.

Restrictions that come with a learner's permit

A learner's permit comes with rules that vary by state. Most states require a licensed adult to be in the front seat with you at all times. Some states do not let you drive on highways or at night. Some states limit how many passengers you can have in the car. Some states do not let you use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free.

These restrictions exist to keep new drivers safe while they are learning. They stay in place until you pass a driving test and get a full license. The driving test usually happens after you have had your permit for a set amount of time — often three to six months — and have logged a certain number of hours behind the wheel.

When you can upgrade from a permit to a license

Once you have held a learner's permit for the time your state requires, you can take a driving test to get a full license. The driving test includes both a written portion and a behind-the-wheel portion. The behind-the-wheel test usually lasts 20 to 40 minutes and covers basic driving skills, parking, and how you follow traffic laws.

The minimum age for a full license is 16 in most states, though a few states allow it at 15. Some states have an intermediate license, sometimes called a junior license, that you get before a full license. An intermediate license has fewer restrictions than a learner's permit but more than a full license — for example, you might be able to drive alone but not at night, or you might be able to drive at night but not with teenage passengers.

What happens if your state does not allow a permit at 14

If your state does not allow a learner's permit at 14, you will need to wait until your state's minimum age. Most states set the minimum age for a learner's permit at 15 or 16. A few states set it at 14.5 or 15.5, meaning you can explore partway through the year you turn that age.

While you wait, you can prepare by studying your state's driver's manual, which is available free on your state's DMV website. You can take practice tests online to get ready for the written test. Some states offer driver education courses for teenagers, which can help you learn the rules of the road and safe driving practices before you get behind the wheel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive alone with a learner's permit?

No. A learner's permit requires a licensed adult to be in the car with you at all times. You cannot drive alone until you pass a driving test and get a full license. The adult must usually be at least 18 or 21 years old and hold a valid driver's license.

Do I have to take driver's education to get a learner's permit at 14?

It depends on your state. Some states require a driver education course before you can get a permit. Others let you get a permit first and take the course later. A few states do not require a course at all. Check your state's DMV website to see what your state requires.

What if I fail the written test for my learner's permit?

You can retake the test after a waiting period, usually a few days to a week. Most states let you retake the test as many times as you need. Each time you take the test, you pay a fee — usually between five and twenty dollars. Study the driver's manual before you retake the test.

Can I get a license at 14 if I do not live on a farm?

No, not in the states that allow licenses at 14. South Dakota, Montana, and North Dakota only issue licenses at 14 to people who live on a farm or ranch and need to drive for agricultural work. If you do not meet that requirement, you will need to wait until your state's minimum age for a full license, usually 16.

How long do I have to hold a learner's permit before I can get a license?

The waiting period varies by state, usually between three and twelve months. Some states base it on how many hours you have driven, not just how long you have held the permit. Check your state's DMV website to see the requirement for your state.