A parents guide to driving ages by state

As your kids get older, they naturally may want more independence and part of that independence is learning how to drive. As a parent, you may be wondering what the legal driving age in your state is, and what types of permits and licensing are available to create safer driving conditions for your teens. Here, we break down the driving age by state, how long teens need to hold a learner's permit, and explain the merits of a graduated driver license.

Permit requirements and practice hours

Most states mandate holding a learner’s permit for 6 to 12 months and logging 40 to 100 supervised hours (10+ at night). For example:

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• Florida: 12 months + 50 hrs (10 night) + formal driver’s ed

• New Jersey: Starting February 2025, a 50‑hour practice mandate applies under age 21

• Nebraska, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, etc., all require 40–70 hrs

Tracking these hours and staying on top of teen readiness is easier with tools like Greenlight's driving safety app*. From driving reports to crash detection, Greenlight, the #1 family finance and safety app, helps parents keep teen drivers safe and informed.

What is graduated driver licensing?

Graduated driver licensing (GDL) helps teens build driving skills in stages, starting with a supervised learner’s permit, then a restricted intermediate license, and finally full privileges. States may enforce nighttime curfews, passenger limits, and required practice hours.

2025 state‑by‑state minimum ages

How graduated driver licenses keep teens safe

Studies from the NHTSA and CDC show that states with strong GDL systems have fewer crashes and fatalities involving teen drivers. The structure—starting with supervised driving, then limited privileges, and finally full licensure—gives teens time to build experience and judgment before facing high-risk situations alone.

But laws aren’t enough on their own. Parental involvement is critical. Setting clear expectations, reinforcing safe habits, and using tools to monitor driving behavior can help teens stay safe behind the wheel.

Tips for families navigating state requirements

1. Know your state's full GDL rules, including permit length, curfews, passenger limits, and driver’s ed requirements.

2. Use driving safety apps. Apps like Greenlight include crash detection, driving reports, and location sharing to support teen drivers.*

3. Incorporate extra practice. Focus on night and bad-weather driving.

4. Review and prepare for tests. Use state DMV handbooks and safe-driving courses.

5. Set family‑level rules. Beyond legal mandates, create your own road‑safety expectations.

Support your teen’s driving journey

Navigating driving age rules, licensing steps, and safety requirements can feel overwhelming, but knowledge is power. With a complete view of your state’s regulations and smart safety tools, your teen can earn their license confidently and safely.

That’s where Greenlight comes in. From crash detection and location sharing to driving reports*, Greenlight helps families protect their kids behind the wheel. Try Greenlight free and get peace of mind while your teen gains independence.

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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.

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