A Guide to Teen Driving Laws in PA

While you can start driving at age 16 in Pennsylvania, teen drivers must adhere to certain extra rules.

What Are the Teen Driving Laws in PA?

There are several restrictions for teen drivers in PA. Pennsylvania driving laws provide for three different licenses, attained progressively.

1. Learner’s Licence

A learner’s permit is obtained by passing a written exam. Once a teen driver has a learner’s license, they may drive on the roads with the following restrictions:

• The driver must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age, or a parent, guardian, and spouse who is at least 18 years of age and licensed, with the same or higher class vehicle that appears on the learner’s permit.
• The driver must complete 6 months of driving before taking the junior license test. This includes 65 hours of adult-supervised skill-building, including 10 hours of nighttime driving and 5 hours of bad-weather driving. This does not apply to motorcycle learners.
• The driver may not be behind the wheel between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Young drivers may travel for employment and for volunteer or charitable service during these hours, but they must carry proper documentation.
• The number of passengers must not exceed the number of seat belts in the vehicle. This applies to all drivers under age 18.
• A young driver’s permit will be suspended for 90 days if they accumulate six or more points or are convicted of a single high-speed violation (driving 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit).
• You may not drive out of state with a learner’s permit. Doing so will result in fines, suspensions, or impounding of the vehicle.
• A learner’s permit is valid for one year (it may be renewed upon request).

Read our posts on what you need to get your learner’s permit in PA and what happens if you fail your PA permit test.

Motorcycle license requirements:

Successful completion of a Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program Basic Rider Course is a requirement for a young rider before a motorcycle license can be issued.

Take a look at our guide to insurance for learner drivers, too.

2. Junior License

If you’re under 18, but 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), you may do the skills test for a junior license, and hopefully pass!

If you’re over 18, you do not need to complete the 65 hours of driving time, only the skills test. Read our guide to passing the PA driver’s test for help.

There are still some restrictions in place for junior license holders (whether 18 or above):

• The driver may not be behind the wheel between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Exceptions for employment and volunteer or charitable service will apply, but young drivers must carry proper documentation proving a need to travel.
• The number of passengers must not exceed the number of seat belts in the vehicle, and all seatbelts must be worn. This applies to all passengers and drivers under the age of 18.
• Drivers may not carry more than one passenger under the age of 18 who is not an immediate family member unless one of their parents or guardians is in the vehicle with them.
• After the first six months of driving on a junior license, the limit is increased to no more than three passengers under the age of 18. The increased limit does not apply to any junior driver who has ever been involved in a crash in which they were partially or fully responsible or who is convicted of any driving violation.
• A young driver’s junior license will be suspended for 90 days if they accumulate six or more points or are convicted of a single highspeed violation (driving 26 miles per hour or more over the posted speed limit).

3. Unrestricted Licence

In some cases, an unrestricted license may be issued to an under-18, if they have maintained a crash-and conviction-free record for 12 months and completed an approved driver’s education course.

Under 18 unrestricted license holders have the following restrictions:

• The number of passengers must not exceed the number of seat belts in the vehicle.
• Drivers and occupants under the age of 18 must wear a seat belt, and children under the age of eight must be securely fastened in a restraint system. Failure to comply with this law’s seat belt provisions is a primary offense, meaning that a driver can be pulled over and cited solely for that violation.

What Are the Consequences for Violating PA Teen Driving Laws?

This depends on several factors, including which license the teen has at that time, and if they have previous offenses. See the points above for detailed information.

Find lessons for learner drivers near you!