driving out of state on a learner's permit (laws)

[Swordsmith]

This may be out of date, or in accurate, but elsewhere on the web I found a state by state listing showing whether they accept out of state permits. Most do, as long as you obey both their laws and the laws of the issuing state. There are some oddities, like places that allow their residents to get a permit at 15 but won't allow out of state permit holders to drive until 16, but I'm ignoring those for the moment. Basically, if you're 16 and have a permit, you can drive with a licensed parent next to you (and probably with just about any driver next to you) in any state except the following:

State by State Restrictions for out of State Permit Holders.

Arizona: Will “NOT” accept any out of state learner's permit.

California: If you are a visitor in California, between 16 and 18 years old, you may drive here with your home state license or instruction permit for only 10 days after you arrive in California. After 10 days you must have either a Nonresident Minor's Certificate or a California license.

That's a yes if you're just passing through but a no if you're staying for a while. Alaska has a similar law but it's 90 days, which is a lot less likely to bite anyone.

Connecticut: operation upon limited access highways is prohibited for the first sixty days from date of issuance of the learners permit.

Sort of a no, given that many only hold their permit for a few months before getting a license, but if you've held a permit for a while, then it becomes a yes.

District of Columbia :A learners permit issued by a jurisdiction other than the District of Columbia is “NOT” valid in the District of Columbia.


Hawaii: Will “NOT” accept any out of state learner's permit.


New Hampshire: Will “NOT” accept any out of state learner's permits.

New York: An out of state learner's permit is “NOT” valid in New York City. Rest of the state seems to be OK though.

Pennsylvania: A nonresident who is in possession of a valid learner's permit from their home state may “NOT” operate a Motor Vehicle while traveling through Pennsylvania.

South Carolina: South Carolina does “NOT” recognize an out-of-state beginner's permit

Vermont: Will “NOT” accept any out of state learner's permit.

Special weirdnesses:

I'm not clear on MO; I've read this several times and it's about as clear as mud:

Missouri: Missouri laws do not allow an individual to operate a motor vehicle on the roadways of this state unless the driver is at least 15 years and 182 days old, has passed the written test, possesses a valid Restricted Temporary Instruction Permit, and operates a vehicle with a parent, grandparent or guardian. A disabled parent, grandparent or guardian may designate a maximum of two persons to accompany the driver in the vehicle for the purpose of giving instruction in driving. The designated person must be at least 21 years of age, must occupy the seat beside the driver and must be a licensed operator for the type of motor vehicle being operated.

is that a yes or a no?

Rhode Island: Will accept any valid learner's permit subject to restriction mandated by the issuing state provided that issuing state accepts their state permit. (Reciprocity)

This means my son, with a learner's permit from PA, can't drive in Rhode Island, although someone from, say, MD, could.

 

[ungawd]

Missouri is a yes if the permit holder is at least 15 1/2 years old and is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed representative.

WV should be good as we allow reciprocity and issue permits at 15. The law here stated the permitted must be accompanied by a licensed person 21 years old or older. There is a curfew between 11pm and 5am for those under 16. Ohio also allows for permitted drivers regardless of age. Florida is the same, or used to be at least, as I drove down there legally at 15 but that was years ago.

I don't understand your RI reasoning. They allow reciprocity from MD but not PA?
Oh, I see the conundrum from PA's end.

If you have AAA I bet they could tell you.

 

[RobbyS]

I always thought you could drive in Missouri with a permit. I'm about 15 minutes from St. Louis on the Illinois side. I went over there all the time with my permit, last year.

 

[Swordsmith]

Missouri is a yes if the permit holder is at least 15 1/2 years old and is accompanied by a parent, guardian, or licensed representative.[/quote[
For other state's permits? Because the only thing I saw was the statement I quoted which didn't say jack about other states, either yes or no, seemed clear as mud to me.

I don't understand your RI reasoning. They allow reciprocity from MD but not PA?
Oh, I see the conundrum from PA's end.

Yeah, most states allow you to drive on other state's permits, but Rhode Island has reciprocity, which is to say they will only let you drive there on your state's permit if you do the same for their permit drivers... PA doesn't allow permits other than their own, so PA permit drivers can't drive in Rhode Island.

All states I didn't list seemed to be a clear yes, they often had little restrictions like minimum age or limited hours or so forth, but overall most states treat each other's permit holders like they do their own.