DRIVING · UNITED STATES

Getting your first driver's license in the U.S.

Learner permits, supervised hours, the restrictions that follow your first license, the road test itself, and the documents your DMV will ask for.

Last reviewed 15 September 2026.

The learner permit

Start with a vision screening and a written knowledge test drawn from your state's driver handbook — signs, right of way, speed, impaired driving and penalties.

With the permit, you may only drive supervised by a licensed adult, usually 21 or older, in the front passenger seat. Zero tolerance for alcohol applies to every driver under 21 in every state.

Keep the supervised-hours log honestly and have it signed. Many states require it at the road test.

Graduated restrictions after the test

After the road test, most young drivers get an intermediate license: no unrelated teen passengers for a period, and no driving late at night except for work or school.

Phone use is restricted for new drivers in nearly every state, hands-free included. A violation typically extends the restricted period.

Restrictions lift with age and clean driving time, not automatically on the test date.

Passing the road test

Bring an insured, registered, road-legal vehicle. Broken lights, worn tyres or a missing registration card cancel the appointment.

The examiner watches observation above all: mirrors, shoulder checks, full stops, correct speed, safe lane changes and smooth intersections.

Common instant failures are rolling stops, failing to yield, speeding in a school zone, and striking a curb during parking.

REAL ID and moving between states

A REAL ID-marked license is needed to board a domestic flight or enter certain federal facilities. It takes the same visit, but requires the full document set in original form.

Moving states means transferring your license, usually within 30 to 90 days, generally with no road test but with document checks and a vision screening.

Some states check immigration status for a standard license and some issue a driving-privilege card without it. Check your state before booking an appointment.

Common questions

What age can I get a learner permit in the United States?

Most states allow a learner permit between 15 and 16, and a full unrestricted license between 17 and 18. Every state sets its own ages, holding periods and supervised-hour requirements.

How many supervised driving hours do I need?

Typically 40 to 60 hours logged with a licensed adult, often including a set number at night. Your state DMV publishes the exact figure and the log form.

What documents do I need at the DMV?

Proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number or an exemption letter, and usually two proofs of state residency. A REAL ID-compliant license needs all of these in original form.

Can I drive with a license from another country?

As a visitor, usually yes for a limited period, often with an international driving permit. Once you become a state resident, most states require you to get a state license within 30 to 90 days.

Official sources

Licensing is set by each state. HAUSINE DriveReady practises your own state's questions and walks you through its stages.