PA Junior License Rules

Are you wondering what the ‘PA Cinderella License Curfew’ is, or what happens if you get a ticket under 18? The team at Driven2Drive is here to answer all your questions, including the requirements to get a junior license, as well as specific rules that a junior license holder needs to follow.

What Is a Junior License?

A junior license may be obtained by those under the age of 18 who have completed 65 hours behind the wheel with a learner’s permit (including 10 hours of night driving and 5 hours of bad-weather driving), as well as the skills test for a junior license.

If you’re over the age of 18, you do not need to complete the 65 hours of driving time, only the skills test.

For drivers 18 and under who plan to obtain their graduated license before turning 18, a PennDOT approved driver’s education course must be completed. If not, a junior license automatically becomes a graduated license upon turning 18. —Edgar Snyder & Associates

The junior license comes between the learner’s license and driver’s license. It offers a way to be out on the road unsupervised (without another driver’s license holder) before one has obtained a driver’s license—as those under 18 are required to wait at least six months before scheduling the driver’s license test after obtaining their learner’s licenses.

What Is a Provisional License in PA?

When a driver has been stripped of his/her/their license owing to violations but has gone five years or more without committing further crimes, a probationary license (PL), a class C (non-commercial) limited driver’s license, is issued.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Drivers with a provisional license in Pennsylvania may not drive a moped, motorcycle, or commercial vehicle.

Requirements for Obtaining a Pennsylvania Junior License

Before obtaining one’s license, potential drivers need to show the correct documentation, pass medical exams for safety reasons, and pass several other requirements. To get your driver’s license in Pennsylvania, you must have the following:

• A completed application of form DL-180 (used for new drivers 18 or older) or form DL-180TD (for drivers under 18), or form DL-180R (for new Pennsylvania residents transferring an active license from another state).
• A passed medical exam (Forms DL-180 and DL-180TD must be signed by a medical professional).
• A passed eye exam
• A passed written knowledge test
• A passed behind-the-wheel driving test
• 65 hours of driving practice (if you’re under 18)
• Proof of identity (original Social Security card, as well as a birth certificate, U.S. passport, Certificate of U.S. Citizenship, or Certificate of Naturalization).
• Proof of residence in the form of two documents (this could be tax records, mortgage documentation, lease agreements, an A W-2 form, a current weapons permit, or a current utility bill).
• A fee of $35 (to see all the different types, click here).

Junior Licence Rules

If you meet all the permit requirements and you’ve passed your road test, you may obtain a junior license. However, there are certain important rules to take note of:

Rule One: Nighttime Driving Restriction

Also known as the PA Cinderella License Curfew.

Junior license holders may not be on the roads between 11 pm and 5 am, except for work purposes or volunteering services (in which case drivers will need to carry proof of this in the form of documentation).

Rule Two: Passenger Limitation

For the first six months that a young driver holds a junior license, they may not transport more than one non-immediate family member under the age of 18 with them in the car, unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

After six months, they may transport up to three non-immediate family members under the age of 18.

Junior license holders who have committed a traffic violation or car crash in the last six months must abide by these restrictions until they turn 18.

IMPORTANT NOTE: a driver may never have more passengers in their car than available seat belts (this applies to any kind of license or vehicle).

Getting Your Hours of Practice Behind the Wheel

The PA junior driver’s license offers a well-structured format to enable young drivers to put in driving time on the road—while being restricted—before graduating with a driver’s license. This builds up the driver’s experience and confidence while ensuring they are off the road during the more dangerous road time (11 pm – 5 am, when there may be more reckless or drunk driving on the roads). By keeping the number of passengers in the vehicle low, fewer people are exposed to the risk of injury or death with these drivers (who are still becoming accustomed to the driving experience somewhat).

Do you want to take the next step, and get your junior license, but need some more practice with the support of a professional first? Book your driving lesson with us today.