Part of shopping for a new or used vehicle is taking it for a test drive. Doing so helps you decide if it fits your lifestyle or if you’re better off with another model.
But what if you’re not yet 18 or are buying the vehicle for your 16-year-old?
What age can you test drive a car?
Most dealerships require shoppers to be 16 to 18 years old to test drive a car and have a valid driver’s license. However, no “laws” govern how old you must be for a test drive. Instead, dealerships set age restriction policies to meet state license qualifications and insurance requirements.
In this guide, I’ll provide further details about the legal age to test drive a car, allowing you to shop with complete confidence.
Additionally, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about what’s required for test drives, including:
- Can you test drive a car without insurance?
- Is it ok to test drive a car for fun?
- Can I test drive a car alone?
Let’s get started.
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Having A Full Driver’s License Is The Main Requirement For Taking A Test Drive
Regardless of your age, it is not permitted by law to drive a vehicle alone if you do not possess a valid driver’s license. Consequently, you are also prohibited from testing a vehicle without one.
One exception would be a driver with a learner’s permit or a provisionary license with a fully licensed passenger in the vehicle. Regardless, dealers have the final say as to what age they allow test drives.
Driver’s License Age Restrictions By State
Requirements for obtaining a driver’s license vary by state. Common stipulations include holding a provisional driver’s license for six months or more, taking a driving course, or clocking a certain number of hours driving at night.
Maryland, for example, requires drivers to hold a learner’s permit for nine months before being eligible for a provisional license. Then, another 18 months must pass before qualifying for a full license. Because of rules like these, even being 18 years old may not qualify you for test drives.
Here are the minimum ages for getting a learner’s permit, provisional license, and driver’s license in each state. Remember, there might be more rules, which you can check at your nearby DMV.
Alabama
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
Alaska
- Learner’s Permit: 14
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 16, 6 mos.
Arizona
- Learner’s Permit: 15, 6 mos.
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 16, 6 mos.
Arkansas
- Learner’s Permit: 14
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 18
California
- Learner’s Permit: 15, 6 mos.
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
Colorado
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
Connecticut
- Learner’s Permit: 16
- Provisional License: 16, 4 mos.
- Full License: 18
Delaware
- Learner’s Permit: 16
- Provisional License: 16, 6 mos.
- Full License: 17
Florida
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 18
Georgia
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 18
Hawaii
- Learner’s Permit: 15, 6 mos.
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
Idaho
- Learner’s Permit: 14, 6 mos.
- Provisional License: 15
- Full License: 16
Illinois
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 18
Indiana
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16, 3 mos.
- Full License: 18
Iowa
- Learner’s Permit: 14
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
Kansas
- Learner’s Permit: 14
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 16, 6 mos.
Kentucky
- Learner’s Permit: 16
- Provisional License: 16, 6 mos.
- Full License: 17
Louisiana
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
Maine
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 16, 9 mos.
Maryland
- Learner’s Permit: 15, 9 mos.
- Provisional License: 16, 6 mos.
- Full License: 18
Massachusetts
- Learner’s Permit: 16
- Provisional License: 16, 6 mos.
- Full License: 18
Michigan
- Learner’s Permit: 14, 9 mos.
- Provisional License: 16, 6 mos.
- Full License: 17
Minnesota
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
Mississippi
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 18
Missouri
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 18
Montana
- Learner’s Permit: 14, 6 mos.
- Provisional License: 15
- Full License: 16
Nebraska
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
Nevada
- Learner’s Permit: 16, 6 mos.
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 18
New Hampshire
- Learner’s Permit: 15, 6 mos.
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17, 1 mo.
New Jersey
- Learner’s Permit: 16
- Provisional License: 17
- Full License: 18
New Mexico
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 15, 6 mos.
- Full License: 16, 6 mos.
New York
- Learner’s Permit: 16
- Provisional License: 16, 6 mos.
- Full License: 18
North Carolina
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 16, 6 mos.
North Dakota
- Learner’s Permit: 14
- Provisional License: 15
- Full License: 16
Ohio
- Learner’s Permit: 15, 6 mos.
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 18
Oklahoma
- Learner’s Permit: 16, 6 mos.
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
Oregon
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
Pennsylvania
- Learner’s Permit: 16
- Provisional License: 16, 6 mos.
- Full License: 18
Rhode Island
- Learner’s Permit: 16
- Provisional License: 16, 6 mos.
- Full License: 17, 6 mos.
South Carolina
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 15, 6 mos.
- Full License: 16, 6 mos.
South Dakota
- Learner’s Permit: 14
- Provisional License: 14, 6 mos.
- Full License: 16
Tennessee
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
Texas
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 18
Utah
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
Vermont
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 16, 6 mos.
Virginia
- Learner’s Permit: 15, 6 mos.
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 18
Washington
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
West Virginia
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 17
Wisconsin
- Learner’s Permit: 15, 6 mos.
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 16, 9 mos.
Wyoming
- Learner’s Permit: 15
- Provisional License: 16
- Full License: 16, 6 mos.
Test Drives: FAQ
Generally, you do not need auto insurance to test drive a car at a dealership because the vehicles are already covered by their internal policy.
This is something to be careful of when test-driving a private seller’s car, whose policy needs to state that uninsured motorists are also covered.
Technically, you can test drive a car for fun, provided you meet dealer prerequisites, like having a valid driver’s license and meeting any age restrictions.
Just note that salespeople are rarely paid hourly, so if you have no intent on buying a vehicle, at least let them know upfront.
Many dealerships allow you to test drive cars without a representative present, but not all.
If you are permitted, your sales rep will take a copy of your auto insurance and driver’s license. They will then provide a temporary license plate and have you sign an agreement.
Have A Valid Driver’s License? Enjoy The Test Drive
In the end, a correct state driver’s permit will let you try out many cars without any problem.
Just know that exact policies vary between dealers, so don’t be too surprised if you’re denied a drive in the latest Chevy Corvette or Ford Lightning.
