50-state novice-driver restriction finder
Provisional License Restrictions by State (2026)
Last UpdatedJuly 26, 2026State guide facts, source links, and DMV-day reminders are reviewed for learner permit prep.
Compare nighttime driving limits, young-passenger rules, permit holding periods, supervised practice requirements, and the age when each restriction ends.
Quick answer
A provisional license allows solo driving, but not with full adult privileges
Most states limit late-night driving, young passengers, or both during the intermediate stage of graduated licensing. In this July 2026 comparison, 46 states use both types of restriction, 3 use a night limit only, and 1 uses a passenger limit only.
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Night and passenger restrictions by state
Passenger-vehicle graduated licensing comparison for young novice drivers. Exceptions for family, school, work, medical need, military service, and supervising adults vary by state. Restrictions can include exemptions and enforcement conditions not fully reproduced in a comparison table.
| State | Restriction pattern | Learner age | Permit holding period | Supervised practice | Provisional age | Night restriction | Passenger restriction | Night limit lifts | Passenger limit lifts | Official state source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama AL | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 50 hours (none with driver education) | 16 | midnight-6 a.m. | no more than one passenger | age 17 and licensed for 6 months (min. age: 17) | age 17 and licensed for 6 months (min. age: 17) | Open Alabama source |
| Alaska AK | Night + passenger limits | 14 | 6 months | 40 hours, 10 of which must be at night or in inclement weather | 16 | 1 a.m.-5 a.m. | no passengers younger than 21 | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | Open Alaska source |
| Arizona AZ | Night + passenger limits | 15, 6 months | 6 months | 30 hours, 10 of which must be at night (none with driver education) | 16 | midnight-5 a.m. secondary enforcement | no more than 1 passenger younger than 18 secondary enforcement | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | Open Arizona source |
| Arkansas AR | Night + passenger limits | 14 | 6 months | none | 16 | 11 p.m.-4 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger younger than 21 | age 18 | age 18 | Open Arkansas source |
| California CA | Night + passenger limits | 15, 6 months | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | 11 p.m.-5 a.m. secondary enforcement | no passengers younger than 20 (limited exception for immediate family) secondary enforcement | licensed for 12 months (min. age: 17) | licensed for 12 months (min. age: 17) | Open California source |
| Colorado CO | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 12 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | midnight-5 a.m. secondary enforcement | first 6 months—no passengers; second 6 months—no more than one passenger secondary enforcement | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | Open Colorado source |
| Connecticut CT | Night + passenger limits | 16 | 6 months (4 months with driver education) | 40 hours | 16, 4 months | 11 p.m. – 5 a.m. | first 6 months—no passengers other than parents or a driving instructor; second 6 months—no passengers other than parents, driving instructor or members of the immediate family | age 18 | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17, 4 mos.) | Open Connecticut source |
| Delaware DE | Night + passenger limits | 16 | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16, 6 months | 10 p.m.-6 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger | licensed for 6 months (min. age: 17) | licensed for 6 months (min. age: 17) | Open Delaware source |
| Florida FL | Night limit only | 15 | 12 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | 11 p.m.-6 a.m. for 16 year-olds; 1 a.m.-5 a.m. for 17 year-olds | none | age 18 | none | Open Florida source |
| Georgia GA | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 12 months | 40 hours, 6 of which must be at night | 16 | midnight-5 a.m. secondary enforcement | first 6 months—no passengers; second 6 months—no more than 1 passenger younger than 21; thereafter, no more than 3 passengers secondary enforcement | age 18 | age 18 | Open Georgia source |
| Hawaii HI | Night + passenger limits | 15, 6 months | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | 11 p.m.-5 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger younger than 18 (household members excepted) | licensed for 6 months and age 17 (min. age: 17) | licensed for 6 months and age 17 (min. age: 17) | Open Hawaii source |
| Idaho ID | Night + passenger limits | 14, 6 months | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 15 | 10 p.m.-5 a.m. | licensees 16 and younger can have no more than 1 passenger younger than 17 | age 16 | licensed for 6 months or age 17 (min. age: 15, 6 mos.) | Open Idaho source |
| Illinois IL | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 9 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | starts 10 p.m. Sun.-Thur., 11 p.m. Fri.-Sat., ends 6 a.m. | first 12 months—no more than 1 passenger younger than 20 | age 18 | licensed for 12 months or age 18 (min. age: 17) | Open Illinois source |
| Indiana IN | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | first 6 months, 10 p.m.-5 a.m.; thereafter, 11 p.m.-5 a.m. Sun.–Fri.; 1 a.m.-5 a.m. Sat.–Sun. | no passengers | age 18 and licensed for 6 months or age 21, whichever occurs first (min. age 18) | licensed for 6 months or age 21, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos. or 17, 3 mos. without driver education) | Open Indiana source |
| Iowa IA | Night + passenger limits | 14 | 12 months | 20 hours, 2 of which must be at night | 16 | 12:30 a.m.-5 a.m. | parental discretion | licensed for 12 months and age 17 or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | none | Open Iowa source |
| Kansas KS | Night + passenger limits | 14 | 12 months | 25 hours, in learner phase; 25 hours before age 16; 10 of the 50 hours must be at night | 16 | 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. | no more than one passenger younger than 18 | licensed for 6 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | licensed for 6 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | Open Kansas source |
| Kentucky KY | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 60 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | midnight-6 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger younger than 20 unless supervised by a driving instructor secondary enforcement | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | Open Kentucky source |
| Louisiana LA | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 50 hours, 15 of which must be at night | 16 | 11 p.m. – 5 a.m. | no more than one passenger younger than 21 between the hours of 6 pm-5 am; no passenger restriction from 5 am-6 pm | age 17 | age 17 | Open Louisiana source |
| Maine ME | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 70 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | midnight-5 a.m. | no passengers | licensed for 9 months (min. age: 16, 9 mos.) | licensed for 9 months (min. age: 16, 9 mos.) | Open Maine source |
| Maryland MD | Night + passenger limits | 15, 9 months | 9 months | 60 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16, 6 months | midnight-5 a.m. | no passengers younger than 18 secondary enforcement | age 18 | licensed for 5 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 11 mos.) | Open Maryland source |
| Massachusetts MA | Night + passenger limits | 16 | 6 months | 40 hours | 16, 6 months | 12:30 a.m.-5 a.m. (between 12:30 a.m.-1 a.m. and 4 a.m.-5 a.m. the night driving and passenger restrictions are subject to secondary enforcement; enforcement is primary at all other times) | no passengers younger than 18 (between 12:30 am–1 am and 4 am–5 am the night driving and passenger restrictions are secondarily enforced; enforcement is primary at all other times) | age 18 | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | Open Massachusetts source |
| Michigan MI | Night + passenger limits | 14, 9 months | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | 10 p.m.-5 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger younger than 21 | licensed for 6 months and age 17 or age 18 (min. age 17) | licensed for 6 months and age 17 or age 18 (min. age 17) | Open Michigan source |
| Minnesota MN | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 40 hours, 15 of which must be at night | 16 | midnight-5 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger younger than 20; second 6 months—no more than 3 passengers younger than 20 | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | Open Minnesota source |
| Mississippi MS | Night limit only | 15 | 12 months | none | 16 | 10 p.m.-6 a.m. Sun.-Thur., 11:30 p.m.-6 a.m. Fri.-Sat. | none | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | none | Open Mississippi source |
| Missouri MO | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 40 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | 1 a.m.-5 a.m. | first 6 months—no more than 1 passenger younger than 19; thereafter, no more than 3 passengers younger than 19 | age 18 | age 18 | Open Missouri source |
| Montana MT | Night + passenger limits | 14, 6 months | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 15 | 11 p.m.-5 a.m. | first 6 months—no more than 1 passenger younger than 18; second 6 months—no more than 3 passengers younger than 18 | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16) | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16) | Open Montana source |
| Nebraska NE | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night (none with driver education) | 16 | midnight-6 a.m. secondary enforcement | no more than 1 passenger younger than 19 secondary enforcement | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | Open Nebraska source |
| Nevada NV | Night + passenger limits | 15, 6 months | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night (none with defensive driving course) | 16 | 10 p.m.-5 a.m. secondary enforcement | no passengers younger than 18 secondary enforcement | age 18 | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | Open Nevada source |
| New Hampshire NH | Night + passenger limits | 15, 6 months | none | 40 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | 1 a.m.-4 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger younger than 25 | age 18 | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | Open New Hampshire source |
| New Jersey NJ | Night + passenger limits | 16 | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 17 | 11 p.m. – 5 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger (exception is limited to drivers' dependents) | licensed for 12 months or age 21, whichever occurs first (min. age: 18) | licensed for 12 months or age 21, whichever occurs first (min. age: 18) | Open New Jersey source |
| New Mexico NM | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 15, 6 months | midnight-5 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger younger than 21 | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | Open New Mexico source |
| New York NY | Night + passenger limits | 16 | 6 months | 50 hours, 15 of which must be at night | 16, 6 months | 9 p.m.-5 a.m. except for NYC (unsupervised driving prohibited at all times) and Long Island (limited daytime unsupervised driving) | no more than 1 passenger younger than 21 | age 17 with driver education; age 18 without (min. age: 17) | age 17 with driver education; age 18 without (min. age: 17) | Open New York source |
| North Carolina NC | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 9 months | 60 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | 9 p.m.-5 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger younger than 21 | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | Open North Carolina source |
| North Dakota ND | Night limit only | 14 | <16: 12 months; 16: 6 months or until age 18, whichever comes first | <16: 50 hours; ≥ 16: none | 16; 15 for a parent requested restricted license | The holder of a restricted license may only drive a car belonging to a parent or guardian and may not drive between the later of sunset or 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. | none | age 16 | none | Open North Dakota source |
| Ohio OH | Night + passenger limits | 15, 6 months | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | midnight-6 a.m. (first 12 months), 1 a.m.-5 a.m. (second 12 months) secondary enforcement | first 12 months—no more than 1 passenger | licensed for 24 months (min. age: 18) | licensed for 12 months (min. age: 17) | Open Ohio source |
| Oklahoma OK | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | 10 p.m.-5 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger | licensed for 6 months with driver education, or 12 months without or age 18 (min age: 16, 6 mos.) | licensed for 6 months with driver education, 12 months without or age 18 (min age: 16, 6 mos.) | Open Oklahoma source |
| Oregon OR | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 50 hours (100 hours without driver education) | 16 | midnight-5 a.m. | first 6 months–no passengers younger than 20; second 6 months–no more than 3 passengers younger than 20 | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | Open Oregon source |
| Pennsylvania PA | Night + passenger limits | 16 | 6 months | 65 hours, 10 of which must be at night and 5 of which must be in inclement weather | 16, 6 months | 11 p.m.-5 a.m. | first 6 months— no more than 1 passenger younger than 18; thereafter, no more than 3 passengers | licensed for 12 months and age 17 with driver education or age 18 (min. age: 17) | licensed for 12 months and age 17 with driver education or age 18 (min. age: 17) | Open Pennsylvania source |
| Rhode Island RI | Night + passenger limits | 16 | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16, 6 months | 1 a.m.-5 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger younger than 21 | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17, 6 mos.) | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17, 6 mos.) | Open Rhode Island source |
| South Carolina SC | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 40 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 15, 6 months | 6 p.m.-6 a.m. EST; 8 p.m.-6 a.m. EDT | no more than 2 passengers younger than 21 unless transporting students to and from school | licensed for 12 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | licensed for 12 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | Open South Carolina source |
| South Dakota SD | Night + passenger limits | 14 | 9 months (6 months with driver education) | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night and 10 of which must be during inclement weather | 14, 9 months (14, 6 months with driver education) | 10 p.m.-6 a.m. | first 6 months—no passengers; thereafter—no more than 1 passenger younger than 18 | age 16 | licensed for 6 months or age 16, whichever occurs first (min. age: 15, 6 mos.) | Open South Dakota source |
| Tennessee TN | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | 11 p.m.-6 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | Open Tennessee source |
| Texas TX | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 30 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | midnight-5 a.m. secondary enforcement | no more than 1 passenger younger than 21 secondary enforcement | age 18 | age 18 | Open Texas source |
| Utah UT | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 40 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | midnight-5 a.m. | no passengers secondary enforcement | age 17 | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | Open Utah source |
| Vermont VT | Passenger limit only | 15 | 12 months | 40 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | none | first 3 months—no passengers without exception; second 3 months—no passengers secondary enforcement | none | licensed for 6 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | Open Vermont source |
| Virginia VA | Night + passenger limits | 15, 6 months | 9 months | 45 hours, 15 of which must be at night | 16, 3 months | midnight-4 a.m. secondary enforcement | first 12 months—no more than 1 passenger younger than 21; thereafter, no more than 3 passengers younger than 21 secondary enforcement | age 18 | age 18 | Open Virginia source |
| Washington WA | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | 1 a.m.-5 a.m. secondary enforcement | first 6 months—no passengers younger than 20; second 6 months—no more than 3 passengers younger than 20 secondary enforcement | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | licensed for 12 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | Open Washington source |
| West Virginia WV | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night (none with driver education) | 16 | 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. | first 6 months—no passengers younger than 20; second 6 months–no more than 1 passenger younger than 20 | licensed for 12 months and age 17 or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | licensed for 12 months and age 17 or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 17) | Open West Virginia source |
| Wisconsin WI | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 6 months | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | midnight-5 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger | licensed for 9 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 9 mos.) | licensed for 9 months or age 18, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 9 mos.) | Open Wisconsin source |
| Wyoming WY | Night + passenger limits | 15 | 10 days | 50 hours, 10 of which must be at night | 16 | 11 p.m.-5 a.m. | no more than 1 passenger younger than 18 | licensed for 6 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | licensed for 6 months or age 17, whichever occurs first (min. age: 16, 6 mos.) | Open Wyoming source |
No states match this filter.
Understand the stages
Learner, provisional, and unrestricted licenses are different
Learner stage
The new driver practices with an eligible supervising driver and normally cannot drive alone.
Provisional stage
Solo driving begins, but nighttime and passenger limits reduce the highest-risk situations for novice drivers.
Unrestricted stage
Graduated restrictions end after the state age or holding requirement is met, unless another license restriction applies.
Young novice drivers: this page compares passenger-vehicle graduated licensing rules. Adult first-time applicants, hardship licenses, farm permits, and court restrictions can follow different rules.
Why the table needs detail
The same restriction label can mean a different rule
Provisional drivers generally face an 11 p.m.-5 a.m. limit and cannot transport passengers younger than 20, subject to exceptions and secondary-enforcement language.
The restriction is time-based in this comparison: 11 p.m.-6 a.m. at age 16 and 1 a.m.-5 a.m. at age 17.
The comparison lists midnight-5 a.m. plus no more than one passenger younger than 21, with state exceptions needing a source check.
Regional rules matter: New York City and Long Island have special unsupervised-driving limits beyond the general 9 p.m.-5 a.m. rule.
Before the first solo trip
Turn the state rule into a family driving plan
- Write down the exact curfew. Include when driving is prohibited and when a documented exception applies.
- Define allowed passengers. Separate siblings and household members from unrelated young passengers when state law does.
- Keep required proof. If the state recognizes a work, school, or medical exception, carry the document it requires.
- Plan the route and return time. A trip that starts legally can become a violation if it runs past the restricted hour.
- Set a phone rule. Graduated-license restrictions do not replace distracted-driving and handheld-device laws.
If a restriction is violated
A citation can delay the unrestricted license
Consequences vary by state and can include fines, points, a longer provisional period, suspension, parent notification, or a reset of a violation-free holding period. A restriction may be enforced only when the driver is stopped for another reason in states using secondary enforcement, but it is still a legal requirement.
Frequently asked questions
Provisional license restrictions explained
Can a provisional driver drive alone?
Usually yes during allowed hours and situations. Solo driving is the key difference between the learner and provisional stages, but the state can restrict night driving, passengers, highways, phones, or trip purpose.
Can a provisional driver carry siblings?
It depends on the state. Some passenger rules exempt immediate family or household members, while others require a qualified adult. Check the exact exception language before the trip.
Can a provisional driver drive to work after curfew?
Some states provide work, school, medical, religious, or emergency exceptions. The driver may need written proof and must follow the route or purpose allowed by state law.
When do provisional license restrictions end?
They may end at a stated age, after a minimum holding period, or after a violation-free period. The night and passenger limits can end at different times.
Is a provisional license the same as a learner permit?
No. A learner normally requires supervision. A provisional or intermediate license generally permits independent driving with graduated restrictions.
What does secondary enforcement mean?
It generally means an officer cannot stop the driver only for that listed restriction, but can cite it after a stop for another enforceable reason. State wording controls.
Do adult first-time drivers have the same restrictions?
Not necessarily. This comparison focuses on young novice drivers in state graduated licensing systems. Adult learner and first-license rules can be different.
Sources and method
How this comparison was checked
The national comparison was structured from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s current graduated licensing laws table and paired with an official state licensing source for each row. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explains the three-stage graduated licensing model and why state rules vary.
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