by Jim Thompson |
Last Updated: May 5, 2021 With summer road trips approaching, learning drivers often like to pitch in with the driving. Taking a leg or two of the trip behind the wheel is a great way to get some experience on the highway and to test driving skills in a new environment.
Way back in 19 (mumble-mumble) when I first got my permit, my family took a road trip to California and what happened is still a part of family legend. Hopefully your trip will leave you with great memories, too.
If you are planning on driving across state lines with your permit, you may want to tap your brakes for just a minute. Different states have different driving laws. Because of this, some states won’t allow drivers with just a permit to drive there. In other cases, young drivers in a different state have to abide by the rules of that state and not the one they call home. But how are you to know?
Lucky for you, you found this post. We are going to list the rules and regulations of driving with an out-of-state permit in every state. That way you won’t wind up on the wrong side of the law just because you’re giving dad a break behind the wheel!
BTW—If you are taking a road trip to move and not just visit, find out how to transfer your permit to your new home state.
I Just Got My Permit and Now We’re Moving?!?
Out-of-State Permit Rules for Every State
IMPORTANT NOTE—This information is accurate as of the publication date of this post. Laws concerning drivers licenses and permits don’t change very often, but we have provided phone numbers for each appropriate state agency so you can contact them for additional confirmation.
Alabama
Alabama allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Alabama ALEA .
Alaska
If you are planning an extended road trip, Alaska may be the place to go. Alaska allows you to drive on a permit for 90 days. Out-of-state permit holders must be accompanied by a 21 year old who has been licensed at least one year.
For confirmation, contact the Alaska DPS.
Arizona
If you are planning the same Texas to California road trip I took as a young driver, you’ll have to let your folks do Arizona. Arizona doesn’t allow driving with an out-of-state permit.
You can call an Arizona DOT office to see if they’ve changed their minds.
Arkansas
Arkansas allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Arkansas DFA.
California
Out-of-state permits can be used in California for only 10 days and only if you are between 16 and 18 years of age. After 10 days you will need to get either a Non-Resident Minor’s Certificate or a California license.
For confirmation, contact the California DMV.
Colorado
Colorado allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Colorado DOR.
Connecticut
Connecticut makes things complicated as you will have to follow your state rules and theirs. This means you will have to be accompanied by a 20-year-old that has been licensed for 4 years when you drive there. You will also need to have had your permit for 60 days in your home state before you will be allowed to drive on Connecticut’s limited access highways. For confirmation, contact the Connecticut DMV.
Delaware
Delaware allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Delaware DMV.
Florida
Florida makes things complicated as you will have to follow your state’s rules as well as theirs. This means you will need to be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older in the front seat. In addition, if you have had your permit for three months or less, you can only drive during daylight hours. If you have had it longer than three months, you can only drive until 10:00 p.m. For confirmation, contact the Florida HSMV.
Georgia
Georgia allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Georgia DDS.
Hawaii
Hawaii doesn’t allow driving with an out-of-state permit but you’ll probably be too busy swimming and surfing and going to luau’s to notice.
For confirmation, contact the Hawaii DMV.
Idaho
Idaho allows driving on an out-of-state permit under the following conditions: The permit holder must be at least 15 years old, (16 to drive after dark), and must be accompanied by a licensed driver in the front seat.
For confirmation, contact the Idaho DMV.
Illinois
Illinois allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Illinois SOS.
Indiana
Indiana allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state and only if you are accompanied in the front seat by a guardian or relative who holds a valid operator’s, chauffeur’s, or public passenger chauffeur’s license.
For confirmation, contact the Indiana BMV.
Iowa
Iowa allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Iowa DOT.
Kansas
Kansas allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact a Kansas DOR office.
Kentucky
Kentucky allows driving on an out-of-state permit under the following conditions: The permit holder must be at least 16 years old, no driving is allowed between midnight and 6:00 a.m., and they must be accompanied by a licensed driver age 21 or older in the front seat.
For confirmation, contact the Kentucky DMV.
Louisiana
Louisiana allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state with the further condition that you be accompanied by a 21-year-old licensed driver.
For confirmation, contact a Louisiana OMV office.
Maine
Maine allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you are 16 and follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Maine BMV.
Maryland
Maryland allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you are 15 years and nine months old and are accompanied in the front seat by a driver who is at least 21 years old that has been licensed a minimum of three years.
For confirmation, contact a Maryland MVA office.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts allows driving on an out-of-state permit with the following conditions: The permit holder must be at least 16 years of age and accompanied at all times by a driver at least 21 years of age licensed in the same state. Further, permit holders under the age of 18 may not operate a motor vehicle between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed parent or legal guardian.
For confirmation, contact the Massachusetts RMV.
Michigan
Michigan allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you are at least 16, are accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat, and follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Michigan SOS.
Minnesota
Minnesota allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you are 15 and follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Minnesota DPS.
Mississippi
Mississippi allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Mississippi DPS.
Missouri
Missouri allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you are at least 15 years, 182 days old, and are accompanied by a parent, grandparent or guardian. To make things more complicated, Missouri law allows a disabled parent, grandparent or guardian to designate up to two other 21 year old licensed drivers who may accompany you instead,
For confirmation (and maybe more clarification), contact the Missouri DOR.
Montana
Montana allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state and are accompanied by a licensed driver.
For confirmation, contact the Montana MVD.
Nebraska
Nebraska allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Nebraska DMV.
Nevada
Nevada allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Nevada DMV.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire doesn’t even issue permits to their new drivers, but you can drive on yours provided that you are 151/2 and are accompanied by a parent or other licensed driver over the age of 25.
For confirmation, contact the New Hampshire DMV.
New Jersey
New Jersey allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state and provided you are driving a car titled, registered, and insured in your home state.
For confirmation, contact the New Jersey MVC.
New Mexico
New Mexico allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the New Mexico MVD.
New York
New York makes things complicated as you will have to follow your state’s rules as well as theirs. This means you have to be at least 16. Your permit is also not allowed in New York City, Nassau County or Suffolk County.
For confirmation (and maybe more clarification), contact the New York DMV.
North Carolina
North Carolina allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you are at least 16 and follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the North Carolina DMV.
North Dakota
North Dakota allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you are at least 16 and follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the North Dakota DOT.
Ohio
Ohio allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Ohio DPS.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you are at least 16 and follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Oklahoma DPS.
Oregon
Oregon allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you are at least 15 and are accompanied in the front seat by a licensed driver at least 21 years old.
For confirmation, contact the Oregon DMV.
Pennsylvania
As of now, Pennsylvania does NOT allow driving with an out-of-state permit.
You can contact the Pennsylvania DMV to see if they’ve changed their minds.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as your state will accept one of theirs.
For confirmation, contact the Rhode Island DMV.
South Carolina
As of now, South Carolina does NOT allow driving with an out-of-state permit.
You can contact the South Carolina DMV to see if they’ve changed their minds.
South Dakota
South Dakota allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as your state will accept one of theirs.
For confirmation, contact the South Dakota DPS.
Tennessee
Tennessee accepts permits from some states, but not all.
To see if your permit makes the cut, contact a Tennessee Licensing Center.
Texas
Texas allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you are at least 16 and are accompanied in the front seat by a licensed driver at least 18 years old.
For confirmation, contact the Texas DPS.
Utah
Utah allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Utah DMV.
Vermont
Vermont does NOT allow driving with an out-of-state permit, unless you are on vacation.
For confirmation, contact the Vermont DMV.
Virginia
Virginia allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you are at least 15 and are accompanied in the front seat by a licensed driver at least 21 or, if a sibling, at least 18 years old.
For confirmation, contact the Virginia DMV.
Washington
The state of Washington allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you are at least 15 and are accompanied in the front seat by a licensed driver at with least five years of driving experience.
For confirmation, contact the Washington DOL.
West Virginia
West Virginia allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the West Virginia DMV.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you are at least 16 and follow Wisconsin’s permit rules and traffic laws.
For confirmation (and clarification), contact the Wisconsin DMV.
Wyoming
Wyoming allows driving with an out-of-state permit as long as you follow the permit rules of your home state.
For confirmation, contact the Wyoming DOT.