Teen Driving Laws

    Permit age, required supervised hours, and intermediate license restrictions for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

    How Graduated Driver Licensing Works

    Stage 1

    Learner's Permit

    The first stage permits a new driver to operate a vehicle only while accompanied by a licensed adult supervisor. Most states require the permit to be held for a minimum period and require a stated number of supervised practice hours, part of which may need to be completed at night, before the applicant may advance to the next stage.

    Stage 2

    Intermediate License

    The second stage permits unsupervised driving under defined conditions. Holders are ordinarily prohibited from driving during specified nighttime hours and are limited in the number or age of passengers they may carry. These restrictions remain in effect until the driver reaches a stated age or has held the license for a stated period.

    Stage 3

    Full License

    The final stage removes the nighttime and passenger restrictions imposed during the intermediate stage. A driver who satisfies the conditions for removal holds full driving privileges, subject to the same traffic laws that govern all licensed drivers. Certain states continue to apply specific provisions, such as mobile device prohibitions, to drivers under a stated age.

    Select Your State

    Choose a jurisdiction to view its permit, supervised driving, and intermediate license requirements.

    Virginia

    Minimum permit age

    15 years 6 months

    Holding period: 9 months

    Required supervised driving hours

    45 hours, 15 of them at night

    Minimum age for unsupervised driving

    16 years 3 months

    Nighttime operationSecondary

    Midnight to 4 a.m.

    Conditions for removal: Age 18

    Passenger limitationsSecondary

    First 12 months: no more than one passenger under 21. After that: no more than three passengers under 21

    Conditions for removal: Age 18

    A restriction designated Secondary may not serve as the sole basis for a traffic stop. It may, however, be cited in conjunction with another violation.

    Additional provisions

    • Both restrictions also apply to learner's permit holders.
    • Driver education is required for license applicants under 22. Programs for students under 18 include a 90-minute segment for parents. Parent participation is required in Planning District 8 (Northern Virginia), and encouraged but not required elsewhere.
    • Applicants aged 18 to 21 must hold a permit at least 90 days.

    Virginia requires 45 hours of supervised driving.

    Drivvy records each drive automatically, with day and night hours tracked separately against Virginia's requirement, and exports a log your licensing agency will accept.

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    Frequently asked questions

    What is the minimum age for a learner's permit in Virginia?
    The minimum age for a learner's permit in Virginia is 15 years 6 months. The permit must be held for 9 months.
    How many supervised driving hours does Virginia require?
    Virginia requires 45 hours, 15 of them at night.
    What restrictions apply to intermediate license holders in Virginia?
    Nighttime operation: Midnight to 4 a.m.. Conditions for removal: Age 18. Passenger limitations: First 12 months: no more than one passenger under 21. After that: no more than three passengers under 21. Conditions for removal: Age 18.

    Complete index of jurisdictions

    About this information

    Requirements are compiled from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's graduated licensing laws table, current as of October 2026, and restructured by Drivvy.

    Last reviewed October 19, 2026.

    This material is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Licensing requirements are subject to amendment, and certain provisions vary according to the applicant's age, driver education status, or locality. Readers are advised to verify the requirements then in force with the relevant state licensing agency before relying upon any statement made here.

    Source: https://www.iihs.org/research-areas/teenagers/graduated-licensing-laws-table