Can I drive out of state under the age of 18?

[imported_bum]

People have told me my IL driver's license is not legal out of state until I'm 18. I looked through docmentation online and could not find this stated anywhere. Anybody know if this is true or untrue? I plan on taking a road trip out of state with a friend and I'd like to know.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

In most states a DL is valid at 16. You're probably fine.

 

[dug777]

it always amuses me that you let kids drive over there

i certainly wouldn't let my 16yr old drive unsupervised by a responsible adult interstate (altho it is a very, very, very long way from Perth to the next state ), let alone in heavy traffic, or unsupervised with other kids in the car.

EDIT: it's strange, but i always think of someone at 16 being vastly less mature & capable than someone at 17...

 

[imported_bum]

Yeah, either way I plan on going but I still wanna know. Friends from NY said their "junior" license (16-17 I think)allows only in state driving. Two people here in IL said that's true here, but I'm skeptical.

 

[dug777]

Certainly we couldn't drive in other states with our Western Australian 'L' plates. "P" plates yes (17 & over).

 

[Lonyo]

Ring up your states office for driving and ask?

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Lonyo
Ring up your states office for driving and ask?

i'm assuming that this isn't an appropriate time

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: dug777
it always amuses me that you let kids drive over there

i certainly wouldn't let my 16yr old drive unsupervised by a responsible adult interstate (altho it is a very, very, very long way from Perth to the next state ), let alone in heavy traffic, or unsupervised with other kids in the car.

EDIT: it's strange, but i always think of someone at 16 being vastly less mature & capable than someone at 17...

I believe a DL from one state is good in any other state in the US. Thus, if you have a DL, you are fine. Doesnt matter about the age.

Ehhh, I was allowed to drive at 16, and I got my license then. MY parents didnt really let me go out all that often until a little while later they finally let me drive on my own. It was all gradual. Slowly then they let me carry ppl (to their knowledge.. of course I did so many times without them knowing), and finally they let me drive to school everyday and pretty much go all over the place.

So I was pretty surprised when my parents let me go down to SoCal with a bunch of friends last summer even though I've been driving for something like 3 years by then? 2 cars, and they were worried, but the 7 of us did fine.

I'm even more surprised this time that they let me drive down a few months ago just making the decision to do so spontaneously....

 

[Injury]

It varies state to state. I do believe that the policy is, if the state that issued the license allows driving out of state you are fine. Which, if that is true doesn't make sense for states that don't allow it... because it's not like they are going to catch someone driving out of state in their jurisdiction.

 

[thebigdude]

As long as you have a valid driver's lisence in your home state you are fine to drive anywhere in the US

The only thing you have to worry about is if the place you are driving has a curfew on driver's under a certain age.

 

[Vinfinite]

I think at 18 you should be fine

 

[Ryan]

I drove across country by myself when I was 17 - you should be fine.

 

[xanis]

You're fine, I drive to NJ and New York pretty frequently without any problems.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: dug777
it always amuses me that you let kids drive over there

i certainly wouldn't let my 16yr old drive unsupervised by a responsible adult interstate (altho it is a very, very, very long way from Perth to the next state ), let alone in heavy traffic, or unsupervised with other kids in the car.

EDIT: it's strange, but i always think of someone at 16 being vastly less mature & capable than someone at 17...

strange, I feel the same way about 17 vs 18.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: thebigdude
As long as you have a valid driver's lisence in your home state you are fine to drive anywhere in the US

The only thing you have to worry about is if the place you are driving has a curfew on driver's under a certain age.

not true.

Texas allows for 14 year olds to get a junior license... exen with a valid texas license, a 14 yr old could not legally drive in pennsylvania, regardless of out of state license. I know this, because I work at PENNDOT.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

what you need to check on is the legality of transporting a minor across state lines. In many states an adult would need permission from the paents, not sure how it works when the driver is a minor also.

 

[EatSpam]

Originally posted by: bum
Yeah, either way I plan on going but I still wanna know. Friends from NY said their "junior" license (16-17 I think)allows only in state driving. Two people here in IL said that's true here, but I'm skeptical.

I never heard that when I was 16, but its been a few years....

 

[Abel007]

If you are legal to drive in one state, then all other states have to honor it.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

When we were in Hawaii, and my dad cut his foot on some glass, my sister and I went to go get the car. I was 15 at the time, she 18. A cop asked to make sure one of us was atleast 18.

 

[DaShen]

I live in Texas. It would take me 7-9 hours to drive out of state. No thanks. Plus, I am over 25, so that doesn't matter.

 

[dmcowen674]

Is it a Permit or a License???

 

[bhanson]

The ignorance in this thread is amazing. Just because you have a license in one state does not automatically give you the right to drive in another. A prime example is my area between Idaho/Oregon. In Idaho you may get your license at 15, but in Oregon the minimum is 16. Drivers here that are not yet 16 but have their licenses may not legally drive in Oregon.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: bhanson
The ignorance in this thread is amazing. Just because you have a license in one state does not automatically give you the right to drive in another. A prime example is my area between Idaho/Oregon. In Idaho you may get your license at 15, but in Oregon the minimum is 16. Drivers here that are not yet 16 but have their licenses may not legally drive in Oregon.

Driving in Other States FAQ

The minimum driving age in most states is 16 to 18

The state you are driving in has precidence.

If your home state allows you to drive at 15, but you are planning on visiting another state whose minimum age is 16 you can not drive in that state..

State-by-state Driving Rules for Teenage Drivers

 

[SirStev0]

Junior Liscence in PA is only good in state

 

[mwtgg]

Originally posted by: SirStev0
Junior Liscence in PA is only good in state

Says who?