What is a provisional driving license? 
A provisional license is a license with special conditions. It is also referred as a provisional instruction permit or a learner’s permit.

What age does my child need to be to get a provisional driving license?
It is only given to people 15 ½ to 18 years old. Even though young people can legally drive alone after they are 16 years old, they need to have held a provisional driver’s license for six months prior.

What is my teen allowed to do with a provisional driving license?
A provisional driving license permits your teen to drive with a licensed adult 25 years of age or older.

Check with your state, but most provisional licenses come with restrictions, such as:

  • Limits on passengers under 20 years old in the car for the first year
  • Curfews, like not being able to drive between 11pm and 5am (exceptions for work can be applied for)

Failure to obey restrictions can result in serious consequences and could include fines, revocation of the provisional license, and suspension of when your teen can obtain their license.

How does my teen get a provisional license? 
Your teen must be at least 15 ½ years old, have completed a driver’s education class and already gotten their instruction permit. To get their provisional license they’ll need to go to the local DMV office and fill in an application for a provisional permit, agree to comply with offer requests for drug or alcohol tests (this is agreed to when signing the application) and pass a vision test.

Does my teen need my signature to obtain a provisional permit?
Both parents’ signatures are required on your teen’s application. By signing that document you are financially responsible for your teen. Your teen might be able to get the application online, depending on your state. If he or she has not completed their driver’s training, they will need their driving instructor’s signature.

What does the DMV require? 

  • Your teen’s full legal name
  • Social Security Number
  • Birth certificate or certified copy of their birth certificate
  • Proof of residency (a document issued by school, medical or insurance documents or a paycheck/ employment document if your teen works)
  • Proof of insurance (your insurance)
  • Proof that your teen has completed a driver education test or is enrolled in a program that includes driver training
  • Successful passing of the driver’s knowledge exam

Check DMV requirements in your state.
Search for a driver education course for your teen.