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It is illegal to drive with an expired license in all 50 states of the United States. An expired license essentially means you are driving without a valid license, which is a serious offense. It is crucial for drivers to ensure their license is up-to-date and valid to avoid legal complications.
While some states do offer drivers a grace period to renew their driver’s licenses after they expire, this period is typically less than 30 days. It is advisable to renew your license before it expires for the best outcome.
Driving with an expired license can invite a myriad of legal consequences. These may include hefty fines, potential jail time, increase in car insurance premiums or even a license suspension. The severity of these penalties generally depends on state laws, the length of time the license has been expired, and the driver’s previous driving record.
While it might seem tempting to risk a short drive with an expired license, it’s important to consider the potential risk. In the event of an accident, even if not at fault, an expired license can lead to insurance complications, with the possibility of the car insurance company denying the claim.
Having an expired license while you commit a moving violation or are involved in an accident can indeed affect your insurance claims. Here’s how:
The first thing to understand is that driving with an expired license is considered illegal. This means the driver is essentially uninsured. If you have a moving violation such as an at-fault accident, a speeding ticket, or a DUI while your license is expired, the insurance company may use this as a reason to deny your claim.
An insurance company’s primary duty is to cover the costs of accidents or damages resulting from driving-related incidents. However, they operate on the fundamental understanding that the person they are insuring is a legally authorized driver. If your license is expired at the time of a moving violation, this underlying condition is not met.
In the case of an at-fault accident while driving with an expired license, it’s highly likely the insurer will deny your claim. This could leave you financially responsible for all damages and medical expenses incurred due to the accident.
If you are caught speeding or receive a DUI with an expired license, these moving violations could also complicate car insurance claims. Insurers may argue that these actions indicate high-risk behavior, which, coupled with an expired license, could lead to claim denial.
However, the final decision depends on the insurance company’s policies, and in some instances, state laws. Some insurers might opt to cover a claim, but they may significantly increase your premiums as a consequence of your high-risk status.
My wife was half asleep when she went out to scrape snow and ice off her car. She used a snow shovel, not realizing she picked up the one with the sharp metal blade at the end, so she scratched the car all over. Will her car insurance cover the damage?
As I was backing out of the driveway I hit a parked car that was parked beside the curb in the street causing what looked like mild damage. My vehicle had no damage. Will I have to pay a deductible?
Taking the slow lane by storm: Insurance for low-speed vehicles Car insurance for blind drivers (you heard that right) Insuring your tricked-out, souped-up carAs per Insure.com study, on average, your car insurance rate goes up by $347 or 20% if you are driving without a valid license or permit.
Table: Car insurance rate increase for driving without a valid license or permit in each state.
| State | Rates after violation | Rates before violation | Dollar difference | Percent difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AK | $1,532 | $1,288 | $244 | 19% |
| AL | $1,826 | $1,517 | $309 | 20% |
| AR | $1,808 | $1,483 | $325 | 22% |
| AZ | $2,049 | $1,661 | $388 | 23% |
| CA | $3,752 | $2,206 | $1,546 | 70% |
| CO | $2,159 | $1,977 | $182 | 9% |
| CT | $1,625 | $1,455 | $170 | 12% |
| DC | $2,176 | $1,904 | $272 | 14% |
| DE | $1,972 | $1,751 | $221 | 13% |
| FL | $3,608 | $3,008 | $600 | 20% |
| GA | $1,951 | $1,618 | $333 | 21% |
| HI | $1,501 | $1,309 | $192 | 15% |
| IA | $1,548 | $1,241 | $307 | 25% |
| ID | $1,184 | $1,011 | $173 | 17% |
| IL | $1,685 | $1,364 | $321 | 24% |
| IN | $1,695 | $1,282 | $413 | 32% |
| KS | $1,756 | $1,493 | $263 | 18% |
| KY | $2,147 | $1,865 | $282 | 15% |
| LA | $3,639 | $3,197 | $442 | 14% |
| MA | $2,261 | $1,760 | $501 | 28% |
| MD | $2,351 | $1,966 | $385 | 20% |
| ME | $1,182 | $1,049 | $133 | 13% |
| MI | $5,019 | $4,013 | $1,006 | 25% |
| MN | $2,031 | $1,686 | $345 | 20% |
| MO | $2,762 | $2,372 | $390 | 16% |
| MS | $1,604 | $1,405 | $199 | 14% |
| MT | $2,021 | $1,766 | $255 | 14% |
| NC | $1,942 | $1,396 | $546 | 39% |
| ND | $1,342 | $1,232 | $110 | 9% |
| NE | $2,009 | $1,847 | $162 | 9% |
| NH | $1,132 | $952 | $180 | 19% |
| NJ | $2,651 | $2,262 | $389 | 17% |
| NM | $2,018 | $1,695 | $323 | 19% |
| NV | $2,941 | $2,389 | $552 | 23% |
| NY | $2,132 | $1,867 | $265 | 14% |
| OH | $1,355 | $1,114 | $241 | 22% |
| OK | $2,393 | $1,852 | $541 | 29% |
| OR | $1,930 | $1,502 | $428 | 28% |
| PA | $1,477 | $1,297 | $180 | 14% |
| RI | $2,138 | $1,792 | $346 | 19% |
| SC | $2,222 | $1,811 | $411 | 23% |
| SD | $1,780 | $1,558 | $222 | 14% |
| TN | $1,505 | $1,311 | $194 | 15% |
| TX | $2,400 | $1,981 | $419 | 21% |
| UT | $1,731 | $1,601 | $130 | 8% |
| VA | $1,423 | $1,228 | $195 | 16% |
| VT | $1,211 | $1,057 | $154 | 15% |
| WA | $1,829 | $1,351 | $478 | 35% |
| WI | $2,004 | $1,573 | $431 | 27% |
| WV | $1,716 | $1,424 | $292 | 21% |
| WY | $1,850 | $1,763 | $87 | 5% |
Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) programs enable teenage drivers to accumulate driving experience prior to obtaining full driving privileges. Typically, these programs consist of three stages:
In most states, learner’s permits require the holder to be a minimum age, only drive with a fully licensed driver present, and accumulate a specific number of driving hours before advancing to the next level of licensing.
| State | Minimum entry age | Mandatory holding period | Minimum amount of supervised driving | Other regulations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 15 years | 6 months | 50 hrs. | The supervising driver must be a parent, guardian, grandparent or driving instructor. |
| Alaska | 14 years | 6 month | 40 hrs., including 10 at night or in inclement weather | – |
| Arizona | 15 years, 6 mos. | 6 month | 30 hrs. including 10 at night ( with defensive driving course) | A driver education instructor can authorize an enrolled student who is 15 to drive only while supervised by the authorizing instructor. |
| Arkansas | 14 years | 6 months | None | 14 year-olds can drive with an instruction permit after passing a written test. After passing a road test they are eligible for a learner’s license. Unsupervised driving is not permitted by holders of either the instruction permit or learner’s license. |
| California | 15 years, 6 mos. | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Students enrolled in driver education may drive while supervised by an instructor. |
| Colorado | 15 years | 12 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | The minimum permit age varies. Fifteen year-olds who are enrolled in driver education may apply for an instruction permit. Their supervising driver must be a parent, stepparent, grandparent, guardian, or driving instructor. |
| Connecticut | 16 years | 6 months (4 months with driver ed) | 40 hrs. | Either driver education or home training is required for license applicants younger than 18. Permit holders may not carry any passengers aside from the person providing instruction, parents or guardians. |
| District of Colombia | 16 years | 6 months | 40 hrs. in learner’s stage; 10 hrs. at night in intermediate stage | Learner’s permit required for all applicants regardless of age. Drivers in the learner’s stage aren’t allowed to drive between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. |
| Delaware | 16 years | 6 month | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Driver education is required for all license applicants younger than 18. |
| Florida | 15 years | 12 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Learners permit holders may not drive after sunset for the first three months and thereafter may not drive after 10 p.m. |
| Georgia | 15 years | 12 months | 40 hrs. including 6 at night | License applicants younger than 18 must have completed driver education. |
| Hawaii | 15 years, 6 mos. | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | License applicants younger than 18 must have completed driver education. |
| Idaho | 14 years, 6 mos. | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | The state has three learner’s permit levels — driver training for drivers 14 ½; supervised instruction with a nonprofessional supervisor; and an instruction permit for people who are 17 who completed driver education and supervised driving or drivers who are 17 and older without driver education or supervised driving. |
| Illinois | 15 years | 9 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Enrollment in driver education is required for permit applicants. |
| Indiana | 15 with driver’s ed. 16 without driver’s ed. | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Permit applicants must be at least 15 years old and completed a driver education course. All 16-year-olds can apply for a permit. |
| Iowa | 14 years | 12 months | 20 hrs. including 2 hrs. at night | Holders of a minor school license may not use electronic communication devices or electronic entertainment devices (permanently installed equipment exempted), carry more than one unrelated passenger, or drive to another school district without an extra-curricular sharing agreement. |
| Kansas | 14 years | 12 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Restricted license holders younger than 16 may not drive unless supervised other than to and from school or work via the most direct route and may not carry minor passengers other than siblings. |
| Kentucky | 16 years | 6 months | 60 hrs. including 10 at night | License holders younger than 18 must complete a driver education course or a state-sponsored traffic school. |
| Louisiana | 15 years | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 15 hours at night | – |
| Maine | 15 years | 6 months | 70 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Driver education is required for a permit and a license if the applicant is younger than 18. |
| Maryland | 15 years, 9 mos | 9 months | 60 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Driver education is required regardless of applicant age. |
| Massachusetts | 16 years | 6 months | 40 hrs. with 30 hrs. advanced driver training | Driver education is required of license applicants younger than 18. |
| Michigan | 14 years, 9 mos. | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Permit applicants younger than 18 must have completed the first segment of driver education. |
| Minnesota | 15 years | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 15 hrs. at night, or 40 hrs. with 15 hrs at night if parent completes 90-minute course | Permit applicants under 18 must take driver education. |
| Mississippi | 15 years | 12 months | None | – |
| Missouri | 15 years | 6 months | 40 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | – |
| Montana | 14 years, 6 mos. | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Enrollment in driver education is required for permit applicants under 15. |
| Nebraska | 15 years | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night (none with driver’s ed) | Drivers who are 14 years old and live at least 1.5 miles from a school and live outside of a metro area can get a learner’s permit or limited license. Limited license allows the teen to drive while supervised. |
| Nevada | 15 years, 6 mos. | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night or 100 hrs. with 10 hrs. at night if driver’s ed not offered within 30 miles | – |
| New Hampshire | 15 years, 6 mos. | None | 40 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | New Hampshire does not issue learner’s permits. At age 15, 6 months a person can drive while supervised by a licensed driver 25 or older. |
| New Jersey | 16 years | 6 months | None | Learner’s permit holders may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. and may carry only one passenger in addition to the supervising driver or any parent, guardian or dependent. |
| New Mexico | 15 years | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Permit applicants under 18 must take driver education. |
| New York | 16 years | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 15 hrs. at night | – |
| North Carolina | 15 years | 6 months | 60 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Driver education is required for permit applicants under 18. |
| North Dakota | 14 years | 12 months for drivers under 16; otherwise, 6 months or until age 18 (whichever comes first) | under 16: 50 hours; 16 and over: none | – |
| Ohio | 15 years, 6 mos. | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | – |
| Oklahoma | 15 years, 6 mos. with driver’s ed | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Fifteen-year-olds in Oklahoma can drive if supervised by an instructor. |
| Oregon | 15 years | 6 months | 50 hrs.; 100 hrs. w/o driver’s ed. | – |
| Pennsylvania | 16 years | 6 months | 65 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night and 5hrs. in inclement weather | – |
| Rhone Island | 16 years | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Driver education is required for permit applicants under 18. |
| South Carolina | 15 years | 6 months | 40 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | |
| South Dakota | 14 years | 275 days (or 180 days after passing driver’s ed.) | 50 (10 at night and 10 in inclement weather) | Learner’s permit holders may not drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless under the supervision of a parent or guardian. |
| Tennessee | 15 years | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Learner’s permit holders in Tennessee may not drive from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m |
| Texas | 15 years | 6 months | 30 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | People who are 15 or older but under 18 must satisfactorily complete and pass the classroom phase of an approved driver education course to be issued a permit. |
| Utah | 15 years | 18 months | 40 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Permit holders younger than 18 may only drive under the supervision of a driving instructor, a parent or guardian, or a responsible adult who has accepted liability for the permit holder’s driving by signing the permit application. Permit applicants younger than 19 must be enrolled in driver education. |
| Vermont | 15 years | 12 months | 40 years including 10 hrs. at night | – |
| Virginia | 15 years, 5 mos. | 9 months | 45 hrs. including 15 hrs. at night | The night driving restriction and passenger restrictions apply to learner’s permit holders. |
| Washington | 15 with driver’s ed; 15 years, 6 mos. without driver’s ed | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Permit applicants must be enrolled in driver education; otherwise, the minimum permit age is 15, 6 months. |
| West Virginia | 15 years | 6 months | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night (none with driver’s ed.) | Learner’s permit holders younger than 18 may not drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and may not carry more than two passengers in addition to the supervising driver |
| Wisconsin | 15 years, 6 mos. | 6 months | 30 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night | Enrollment in driver education is required for permit applicants younger than 18. During the learner’s stage, permit holders may carry three passengers if supervised by a driving instructor in a dual-control vehicle. Permit holders 16 and older may carry one passenger 25 or older who has been licensed at least two years. |
| Wyoming | 15 years | 10 days | 50 hrs. including 10 hrs. at night |
Once you have completed enough practice on the road, you will reach the intermediate GDL stage. In this stage, drivers are eligible to take the test for their state driver’s license, but they must complete additional requirements before obtaining the same driving privileges as more seasoned drivers.
| State | Minimum age | Times when unsupervised driving is prohibited | Passenger restrictions | Other regulations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 16 years | Midnight-6 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger | At age 16, permit holders may drive with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. |
| Alaska | 16 years | 1 a.m.-5 a.m. | First 6 months: no passengers under 21 | – |
| Arizona | 16 years | Midnight-5 a.m. (Secondary enforcement) | First 6 months: no more than 1 under 18 (secondary enforcement) | – |
| Arkansas | 16 years | 11 p.m.-4 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger younger than 21 | Applicants for an intermediate license must be 16 and must be crash/violation-free for six months. Licensees younger than 18 are prohibited from transporting passengers who are unrestrained. |
| California | 16 years | 11 p.m.- 5 a.m. | First 12 months: no passengers under 20 (secondary enforcement) unless accompanied by parent, guardian or other adult 25 years or older | Students enrolled in driver education may drive while supervised by an instructor. License applicants who do not take driver education must wait until age 18 for a license. They are not required to go through an intermediate license stage. |
| Colorado | 16 years | Midnight-5 a.m. | First 6 months: no passengers Second 6 months: no more than one passenger (secondary enforcement) | At age 15, 6 months, driver education is no longer required, but applicants for this permit must have completed a four hour driver awareness program. At 16, young drivers may apply for a permit that allows driving while supervised by a licensed driver age 21 or older. |
| Connecticut | 16 years, 4 mos. | 11 p.m.-5 a.m. | First 6 months: no passengers except parents or instructor, Second 6 months: no passengers except parents, instructor or immediate family | Before an applicant who under 18 may take the driver’s test, parents or guardians must attend two hours of instruction regarding teen driving laws and related issues with such applicant |
| District of Colombia | 16 years, 6 mos. | September through June: 11 p.m. – 6 a.m. (Sun-Thurs); Midnight – 6 a.m. (Fri-Sat) July through August: midnight – 6 a.m. | First 6 months: no passengers Thereafter: No more than 2 passengers under 21 | Applicants younger than 21 must go through the intermediate stage until they’ve achieved full status or turn 21. |
| Delaware | 16 years, 6 mos. | 10 p.m.-6 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger | Everyone in a driver under 18 must have a seatbelt on. If not, the teen faces a two-month suspension. Driver education required for any applicant under 18. |
| Florida | 16 years | 11 p.m.-6 a.m.(age 16); 1 a.m.-5 a.m. (age 17) | None | – |
| Georgia | 16 years | Midnight-5 a.m.; secondary enforcement | First 6 mos. no passengers; 2nd 6 mos. no more than 1 younger than age 21; thereafter no more than 3 passengers; secondary enforcement | license applicants younger than 18 must have completed driver education. |
| Hawaii | 16 years | 11 p.m.-5 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger younger than 18 except household members | License applicants younger than 18 must complete driver education. |
| Idaho | 15 years | Sunset to sunrise | First 6 months: no more than 1 under 17 | License applicants younger than 17 must have completed driver education. |
| Illinois | 16 years | Sun-Thurs: 10 p.m. – 6 a.m Fri-Sat: 11 p.m. – 6 a.m. | First 12 months: no more than 1 under 20 | License applicants 18 through 20 years of age who did not take driver’s education in school must complete a 6 hour adult driver education course. |
| Indiana | 16 years, 3 mos. with driver’s ed. 16 years, 9 mos. without driver’s ed. | First 180 days: 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. After 180 days: 11 p.m. – 5 a.m. (Sun-Thurs); 1 a.m. – 5 a.m. (Fri-Sat) | First 180 days: no passengers | Holders of operator licenses issued to individuals younger than 21 must adhere to both the night and passenger restriction for six months or until age 21, whichever occurs first. |
| Iowa | 16 years | 12:30 a.m.-5 a.m. | First six months, not more than one passenger under 18; parents may waive that requirement. | In Iowa, driver education is required for an intermediate license and for an unrestricted license if the applicant is younger than 18. |
| Kansas | 16 (at 15, can drive without supervision to and from work or school) | 9 p.m.-5 a.m. for first six months | No more than 1 non-sibling for first six months. | – |
| Kentucky | 16 years, 6 mos. | Midnight-6 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger younger than 20 except with driving instructor | License holders younger than 18 must complete a driver education course or a state-sponsored traffic school. |
| Louisiana | 16 years | 11 p.m.-5 a.m. | No more than one passenger younger than 21 between the hours of 6 pm-5 am | – |
| Maine | 16 years | Midnight-5 a.m. | First 270 days: no passengers | Driver education is required for a permit and a license if the applicant is younger than 18. |
| Maryland | 16 years, 6 mos. | Midnight-5 a.m. | No passengers younger than 18 for first five months; secondary enforcement | License applicants who are 19 years old (or 18 with a high school diploma) but younger than 25 must hold a learner’s permit for three months before taking the road test. All applicants 25 and older must hold the permit for 45 days. |
| Massachusetts | 16 years, 6 mos. | 12:30 a.m.-5 a.m. (Secondary enforcement between 12:30 a.m.-1 a.m. and 4 a.m.-5 a.m.) | First six months, no passengers younger than 18 | The requirement for supervised driving is 30 hours for applicants who have successfully completed a driver skills development program in a closed, off-road course licensed by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles. |
| Michigan | 16 years | 10 p.m.-5 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger younger than 21 | License applicants under 18 must complete the second segment of driver education. |
| Minnesota | 16 years | Midnight-5 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger younger than 20; 2nd 6 months no more than 3 passengers younger than 20 | License applicants younger than 18 must provide proof that a parent has taken a course for parents of teen drivers or perform an additional 10 certified practice hours. |
| Mississippi | 16 years | Sun-Thurs: 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. Fri-Sat: 11:30 p.m. – 6 a.m. | None | – |
| Missouri | 16 years | 1 a.m.-5 a.m. | First 6 months: no more than 1 under 19 Thereafter: no more than 3 under 19 | – |
| Montana | 15 years | 11 p.m.-5 a.m. | First 6 mos. no more than 1 passenger younger than 18; second 6 mos. no more than 3 passengers younger than 18 | License applicants under 16 must complete driver education. |
| Nebraska | 16 years | Midnight-6 a.m.; secondary enforcement | First 6 mos. no more than 1 passenger younger than 19; secondary enforcement | – |
| Nevada | 16 years | 10 p.m.-5 a.m.; secondary enforcement | First 6 mos. no passengers younger than 18; secondary endorsement | Driver education is required of all license applicants younger than 18 unless there is no driver education program offered within a 30-mile radius of the applicant’s residence. |
| New Hampshire | 16 years | 1 a.m.-4 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger younger than 25 | License applicants who are younger than 18 must take driver education. |
| New Jersey | 17 years | 11 p.m.-5 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger except dependents | Night driving and passenger restrictions waived for new drivers who are at least 21. |
| New Mexico | 15 years, 6 mos. | Midnight-5 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger younger than 21 | License applicants under 18 must complete driver education. |
| New York | 16 years, 6 mos. | 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. except NYC (unsupervised driving prohibited at all times) and Long Island (limited daytime unsupervised allowed) | No more than 1 passenger younger than 21 | – |
| North Carolina | 16 years | 9 p.m.-5 a.m. | No more than 1 under 21; if passenger under 21 is family, no other non-family passengers under 21 | Driver education is required for license applicants under 18. |
| North Dakota | 16; 15 for a parent- requested restricted license | Sunset or 9 p.m. (whichever is later) – 5 a.m. | No passenger restrictions | Driver education is required for license applicants younger than 16. |
| Ohio | 16 years | Age 16: midnight-6 a.m.; age 17: 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.; secondary enforcement | First 12 months, no more than 1 unless supervised | Driver education is required of license applicants younger than 18. Applicants who are 18 and older and who have failed the road test must complete an abbreviated driver training course. |
| Oklahoma | 16 years | 10 p.m.-5 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger | A person who has been issued an intermediate Class D license shall not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger unless all passengers live in the same household as the custodial legal parent or legal guardian or a licensed driver at least 21 years of age is actually occupying a seat beside the intermediate Class D licensee. |
| Oregon | 16 years | Midnight-5 a.m. | First 6 mos. no passengers younger than 18 | Driver education is required of license applicants younger than 18. However, it is waived for applicants who certify an additional 50 hours of supervised driving. |
| Pennsylvania | 16 years, 6 mos. | 11 p.m.-5 a.m. | First 6 months, no more than 1 passenger younger than 18; thereafter, no more than 3 passengers | – |
| Rhone Island | 16 years, 6 mos. | 1 a.m.-5 a.m. | First 12 mos. no more than 1 passenger younger than 21 | Driver education is required of license applicants younger than 18. Parents or guardians of applicants who are younger than 18 will be required to attend a course of instruction on the content of the driver education curriculum and the requirements of graduated licensing. |
| South Carolina | 15 years, 6 mos. | 6 p.m.-6 a.m. EST; 8 p.m.-6 a.m. EDT | No more than 2 passengers under 21 except when driving to and from school | – |
| South Dakota | 14 + minimum of 6 months | 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. (exemption for going directly to or from school event, work or church event and driving agricultural machinery) | No passengers outside of household for first 6 months; 1 passenger outside of household after 6 months. | – |
| Tennessee | 16 Years | 11 p.m.-6 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger | – |
| Texas | 16 Years | Midnight-5 a.m.; secondary enforcement | No more than 1 passenger under 21; secondary enforcement | The minimum license is 18 for applicants who don’t complete driver education. |
| Utah | 16 Years | Midnight-5 a.m. | for first six months, no passengers; secondary enforcement | In Utah license applicants who are younger than 19 must have completed driver education. |
| Vermont | 16 Years | None | First 3 mos. No passengers; second 3 mos. no passengers except family; secondary enforcement | In Vermont, driver education is required for license applicants younger than 18. |
| Virginia | 16 years, 3 mos. | Midnight-4 a.m.; secondary enforcement | First 12 months: no more than 1 under 21 (secondary enforcement) Thereafter: no more than 3 under 21 under certain conditions (secondary enforcement) | Driver education is required for license applicants younger than 18. Virginia has implemented a 90-minute segment for parents of driver education students. |
| Washington | 16 years | 1 a.m.-5 a.m.; secondary enforcement | First 6 mos. No passengers younger than 20; 2nd 6 mos. No more than 3 passengers younger than 20; secondary enforcement | Intermediate license holders with a crash or violation history are ineligible for an unrestricted license until age 18. |
| West Virginia | 16 years | 10 p.m.-5 a.m. | No passengers younger than 20 for first 6 mos. No more than 1 passenger younger than 20 for second 6 mos. | – |
| Wisconsin | 16 years | Midnight-5 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger | Driver education is required for license applicants younger than 18. |
| Wyoming | 16 years | 11 p.m.-5 a.m. | No more than 1 passenger younger than 18 | All applicants for an unrestricted license who are younger than 17 must have completed driver education and must have held an intermediate license for at least six months. |
Once young drivers have acquired enough supervised driving experience, they are granted full driving privileges. At this point, in most states, drivers are permitted to have passengers in the car and drive at any time.
Here’s when each state allows full privileges:
| State | Full privilege minimum age |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 17 years |
| Alaska | 16 years, six months |
| Arizona | 16 years, six months |
| Arkansas | 18 years |
| California | 17 years |
| Colorado | 17 years |
| Connecticut | Nighttime Driving: 18 Driving with Passengers: 17 years, 4 months |
| Delaware | 17 years |
| District of Columbia | 18 years |
| Florida | 18 years |
| Georgia | 18 years |
| Hawaii | 17 years |
| Idaho | Nighttime driving: 16 Driving with passengers: 15 years, 6 months |
| Illinois | 17 years, driving with passengers; 18 years, nighttime driving |
| Indiana | 17 years with drivers ed, driving with passengers; 17 years, three months, without drivers ed; 18 years, nighttime driving |
| Iowa | 17 years |
| Kansas | 16 years, six months |
| Kentucky | 17 years |
| Louisiana | 17 years |
| Maine | 16 years |
| Maryland | 16 years, 11 months, driving with passengers; 18 years, nighttime driving |
| Massachusetts | 17 years, driving with passengers; 18 years, nighttime driving |
| Michigan | 17 years |
| Minnesota | 16 years, six months, nighttime driving; 17 years, driving with passengers |
| Mississippi | 18 years |
| Missouri | 18 years |
| Montana | 16 years |
| Nebraska | 16 years, six months, driving with passengers; 17 years, nighttime driving |
| Nevada | 16 years, six months, driving with passengers; 18 years, nighttime driving |
| New Hampshire | 16 years, six months, driving with passengers; 17 years, one month, nighttime driving |
| New Jersey | 18 years |
| New Mexico | 16 years, six months |
| New York | 17 years with drivers ed; 18 years without drivers ed |
| North Carolina | 16 years, six months |
| North Dakota | 16 years |
| Ohio | 17 years, driving with passengers; 18 years, nighttime driving |
| Oklahoma | 16 years, six months with drivers ed; 17 years without drivers ed |
| Oregon | 17 years |
| Pennsylvania | 17 years with drivers ed and 12 months free of crash or conviction; 18 years without drivers ed |
| Rhode Island | 17 years, six months |
| South Carolina | 16 years, six months |
| South Dakota | 16 years |
| Tennessee | 17 years |
| Texas | 18 years |
| Utah | 16 years, six months, driving with passengers; 17 years, nighttime driving |
| Vermont | 16 years, six months |
| Virginia | 18 years |
| Washington | 18 years |
| West Virginia | 17 years |
| Wisconsin | 16 years, nine months |
| Wyoming | 16 years, six months |
The process of renewing an expired license varies from state to state. However, most Department of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) allow online renewal, provided the license has not been expired for a long duration. In some cases, the driver may need to retake vision, written, and road tests.
It’s important to note that licenses do not traditionally expire without notice. DMVs usually send notifications via mail or email several weeks before the license expiration date. To avoid the risk of driving with an expired license, drivers should ensure that their contact information is up-to-date with the DMV.
A valid driver’s license verifies that the holder has fulfilled all legal requirements to drive, including passing the necessary tests. It also serves as a government-issued identification document. This makes it invaluable not just for driving, but also for various other transactions.
In conclusion, it is illegal to drive with an expired license, and doing so can result in significant penalties. As responsible citizens, it’s essential to regularly check the status of your license and renew it in a timely manner.
