Are you thinking about buying a first car for your child? Odds are your teenage son or daughter is already daydreaming about fast rides and freedom from your family's minivan. You’d rather they research safety features and crash tests, but before they start thinking about what they’ll be driving, they need to follow the necessary steps to legally get behind the wheel of any car.
From earning a learner’s permit through passing the written and driving exam, navigating the steps of getting a license requires a lot of work. And rightfully so. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), on average, every day six teens ages 16 to 19 die from motor vehicle injuries. One key to preventing such outcomes is learning appropriate driving skills—in the classroom and on the road.
Different states structure these driving programs in different ways. (Check this resource for your state’s specific requirements for young drivers.) Still, four steps in the process are fairly universal no matter where you live.
1. Get a Learner’s Permit
For most teen drivers, the first step to getting a driver’s license is obtaining a learner’s permit. The age at which would-be drivers can do this will depend on their state. In some areas, teens can get on the road as young as 14 (hello, Alaskans!). In others, they’ll have to wait until turning 16 (sorry, New Yorkers). The most common age is 15 years old, but you can find your specific state’s criteria here.
Some states allow drivers to apply for permits by mail if they meet certain conditions. However, as your consent will likely be required, it’s probably best for parents to just go with their child to the DMV in person to get the permit. (For clarity, we’ll refer to your state’s driving office as the “DMV” throughout this article, though your actual state may call it the MVD, MVA, RMV, or something else.)
When you go there, bring a few things with you. The big one to remember is a couple forms of personal identification. This can include your child’s birth certificate and Social Security card. Be sure to pack the original versions, as your state may not accept photocopies of these documents. (And your teenager will not be happy if that happens.)
To qualify for a permit, teens will need to pass a vision test and a written exam on driving skills and your state’s traffic laws. They can study for the latter by reviewing your state’s DMV handbook, and it may be worth trying some online practice tests. If your child is currently enrolled in a driver’s education course, he or she may not need to take the written test. If that applies to your state, be sure to bring proof of their enrollment to the DMV.
Provided everything goes well, you (or your child) will likely need to pay a fee for the permit as a final step.
2. Complete Driver’s Ed
Depending on where you live, this may actually be your child’s first step in the process of getting a driver’s license. Some states require a teen driver to be enrolled in or have completed a driver’s education course before receiving a learner’s permit. If your state does not require this before granting the permit, it will likely require it afterward—and before issuing a provisional license.
Driver's education programs cover a variety of things that new drivers need to know. Topics typically include road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving techniques. Although the actual curriculum and requirements vary by state, students should expect to spend some time learning in the classroom (perhaps as much as 30 hours) as well as a minimum number of hours practicing on the road (often at least six hours). Some states offer online education programs as well.
Teen drivers should strive to get ample experience from driver’s ed, not just the minimum requirement. This is essential, as it not only lets them practice driving in a real-world, safe environment, but it also lets parents take a figurative backseat when it comes to teaching the kids how to drive. (Anyone who has ever jammed on a phantom brake while practicing driving with their child knows that this separation is good for both parents and drivers.)
3. Upgrade to a Provisional License
In all states, teenage drivers go through what’s called a “graduated driver licensing” program, or GDL. This means that they get a provisional license (called a “probational license” in some states) before graduating to a full, unrestricted driver’s license. Drivers are typically between 16 and 17 years old when they enter this intermediate driving phase.
Obtaining the provisional license will likely mirror many of the same steps required for a learner’s permit. There will be another fee for the new license, as well as another written exam at the DMV. You’ll need the correct paperwork again, too; not only the personal ID this time, but also proof of completion of driver’s ed and behind-the-wheel training hours.
But the biggest new wrinkle for getting a provisional license? That honor goes to the driving test, which your son or daughter will need to pass to prove their skill and attention on the road. This can obviously be stressful and emotional, and there’s no guarantee that your child will pass (which is OK! In some states, pass rates have been lower than 50%). The key is preparation, which is why the two previous steps in this process are so important.
Once your driver passes the tests and gains a provisional license, he or she receives more freedom on the road—but must still deal with different regulations than fully licensed drivers do. Provisional drivers should expect to have certain hours in which a licensed adult must accompany them in the car. This is typically the wee hours of the morning, but sometimes these hours start as early as 10 pm. Drivers may also face a restriction on the number of passengers in the car (family members notwithstanding). And perhaps most importantly, provisional drivers must maintain a clean driving record.
4. Get an Actual Driver's License
Once your child successfully passes all the previous steps, he or she will be ready for the last one: getting an actual driver’s license. Believe it or not, but this is the easiest part of the entire process.
At this point, the biggest hurdle in their way may just be time. Most states require a minimum age (usually 18) or a minimum amount of time with a learner’s permit and provisional license before handing over full licenses. Once those benchmarks are met, the state will upgrade teen drivers automatically. The new license will arrive in the mail—and your child can chauffeur you to the dealership to find a car for them.
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