TRAFFIC RULES

Can You Drive Out of State With a Learner's Permit?

Sometimes. The state you're visiting decides whether it honors your permit, and your home state's permit rules still apply. Here's what each state says.

26 October, 2026

10 min read

Sometimes. Whether you can drive out of state with a learner's permit depends on the state you're visiting, because that state's laws decide whether your permit is honored, and your home state's permit restrictions still apply while you're there.

Only a few states say clearly in their official materials what they do with visiting permit holders. Florida, Maine, New Hampshire and New York say yes, with conditions. Utah says no. Most other states' handbooks don't address it, so you need to check with that state's DMV before you go. The full state-by-state list is below.

Are permits valid in other states?

There's no single national rule. Two sets of rules apply at the same time.

The state you're visiting decides. If its laws don't allow out-of-state learners to drive, your permit doesn't work there, no matter what your home state says.
Your home state's rules come with you. Your supervising-driver requirement, hours limits and other permit conditions don't disappear when you cross a state line. Some visiting states add their own restrictions on top.

Several state handbooks say this directly:

New York: A New York permit may be used outside New York only if the other state's laws allow it, and you must obey that state's restrictions. The handbook says to ask the police or motor vehicle authorities there (New York driver's manual, p. 17).
Massachusetts: A Class D or M permit may be used in another state as long as that doesn't violate that state's laws (Massachusetts driver's manual, p. 23).
Washington: A Washington instruction permit allows driving within Washington. It might not be valid in another state, so the Washington driver guide tells you to contact the state you plan to visit (p. 13).
Pennsylvania: Before driving out of state, check with your insurance company and the other state's Department of Transportation that your permit is valid there (Pennsylvania driver's manual, p. 6).
Vermont: Before driving in another state, contact that state's motor vehicle department or police to see if driving on a Vermont permit is legal there (Vermont driver's manual, p. 14).

States that honor out-of-state learner permits

These states say in official sources that visiting learners can drive there. Each one has conditions, so read them before you go.

Florida: Florida honors another state's learner's license or permit while you are vacationing in Florida. You must follow Florida's permit rules: daylight-only driving for the first three months after your permit was issued, then until 10 p.m., always with a licensed driver 21 or older in the front passenger seat (FLHSMV Visiting Florida FAQs).
Maine: A nonresident who is at least 16 and holds a valid license or learner's permit from their home state doesn't need a Maine license to drive in Maine (Maine motorist handbook, p. 7). If you're under 16, this doesn't cover you.
New Hampshire: According to the New Hampshire driver's manual (p. 8), out-of-state learners may drive in New Hampshire if they are at least 15½ and accompanied by a licensed responsible adult 25 or older. Note that the supervisor age (25+) may be higher than your home state requires.
New York: Drivers under 18 with an out-of-state learner permit may drive in New York but must obey New York's restrictions as well as their home state's, and must make sure the permit is valid outside their home state. People under 16 cannot drive in New York at all, even if licensed elsewhere (New York driver's manual, pp. 6, 18).

States that don't honor out-of-state learner permits

Utah: Drivers with an out-of-state learner permit may not drive in Utah (Utah driver handbook, p. 27).
Massachusetts (under 16): No one under 16 may drive in Massachusetts, even with a license or permit from another state, U.S. territory or country that allows it (Massachusetts driver's manual, p. 11). Whether Massachusetts honors visiting permit holders 16 and older is not stated, so check with the Massachusetts RMV.
New York (under 16): People under 16 cannot drive in New York State, even if licensed elsewhere (New York driver's manual, p. 6).

Unclear: Washington, D.C.

District of Columbia: DC DMV says that to learn to drive and practice driving in the District, you must have a valid DC DMV learner permit. That reads as not honoring out-of-state permits, but it may be aimed at DC residents. Check with DC DMV before driving there on another state's permit. For reference, a DC learner permit allows driving only between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

Can you drive out of state with a permit in your state? Everywhere else

For the states below, we could not confirm from official sources whether visiting learner permit holders may drive. Many of these handbooks explain that a visitor with a full license from another state can drive there, but they don't mention permits. Don't assume a permit counts the same as a license. Contact that state's DMV (linked where available) before you drive.

Alabama: Not confirmed. Drivers 16+ with a valid home-state license may drive without an Alabama license; permits aren't mentioned. Alabama permit holders must carry the permit and show it to an officer on request (Alabama manual, pp. 7, 18).
Alaska: Not confirmed. Nonresidents 16+ with a valid license from elsewhere are exempt for 90 days; permits aren't mentioned (Alaska manual, p. 6).
Arizona: Not confirmed. Arizona credits permit time held in another state for people applying in Arizona, but that's not the same as letting visitors drive (Arizona manual).
Arkansas: Not confirmed. Active-duty military and nonresident students 16+ may drive on a valid out-of-state license; permits aren't mentioned (Arkansas manual, p. 14).
California: Not confirmed. An out-of-state instruction permit counts toward California's 6-month holding period for minors applying there; visiting isn't covered (California handbook).
Colorado: Not confirmed (Colorado handbook). If you have a Colorado permit, your front-seat supervisor must be 21+ and hold a valid Colorado license (p. 4).
Connecticut: Not confirmed (Connecticut manual).
Delaware: Not confirmed for learner's permits. A Delaware Driving Privilege Card is valid for driving only within Delaware (Delaware manual, p. 23).
Georgia: Not confirmed. Nonresidents 16+ with a valid home-state license need no Georgia license, but restrictions that would apply to a Georgia license still apply; permits aren't mentioned (Georgia manual, p. 6).
Hawaii: Not confirmed. People 18+ with a valid license from any state or D.C. are exempt; permits aren't mentioned (Hawaii manual, p. 10).
Idaho: Not confirmed (Idaho manual).
Illinois: Not confirmed (Illinois Rules of the Road).
Indiana: Not confirmed (Indiana manual).
Iowa: Not confirmed. Visitors and students with a current home license need no Iowa license; permits aren't mentioned (Iowa manual, p. 4).
Kansas: Not confirmed (Kansas handbook).
Kentucky: Not confirmed. New residents with an out-of-state permit must transfer to a Kentucky permit first; visiting isn't covered (Kentucky manual, p. 20).
Louisiana: Not confirmed. Check directly with Louisiana's Office of Motor Vehicles.
Maryland: Not confirmed (Maryland manual).
Michigan: Not confirmed (Michigan handbook).
Minnesota: Not confirmed. Nonresidents 15+ with a valid home-state license may drive; permits aren't mentioned (Minnesota manual, p. 11).
Mississippi: Not confirmed. Nonresident military families and out-of-state college students may drive on their out-of-state license; permits aren't mentioned (Mississippi manual, p. 12).
Missouri: Not confirmed (Missouri guide).
Montana: Not confirmed (Montana manual).
Nebraska: Not confirmed (Nebraska manual).
Nevada: Not confirmed (Nevada handbook).
New Jersey: Not confirmed (New Jersey manual).
New Mexico: Not confirmed (New Mexico manual).
North Carolina: Not confirmed. New residents 15 to under 18 with an out-of-state permit should contact a local driver license office; visiting isn't covered (North Carolina handbook, p. 9).
North Dakota: Not confirmed. Nonresidents must be at least 16 to drive on a valid home license; permits aren't mentioned (North Dakota manual, p. 7).
Ohio: Not confirmed (Ohio Digest).
Oklahoma: Not confirmed (Oklahoma manual).
Oregon: Not confirmed. An out-of-state permit counts toward Oregon's 6-month permit requirement; visiting isn't covered (Oregon manual, p. 98).
Pennsylvania: Not confirmed for visitors (Pennsylvania manual).
Rhode Island: Not confirmed (Rhode Island manual).
South Carolina: Not confirmed. Temporary residents and visitors may drive on a valid out-of-state license; permits aren't mentioned (South Carolina manual, pp. 18–19).
South Dakota: Not confirmed. Nonresidents 16+ may drive on a valid home-state license; permits aren't mentioned (South Dakota manual, p. 5).
Tennessee: Not confirmed. A 15-year-old new resident with a valid out-of-state permit qualifies only for a Tennessee learner permit (Tennessee manual, p. 28).
Texas: Not confirmed. Nonresidents 16+ with a valid home-state or Canadian license may drive Class C or M vehicles; permits aren't mentioned (Texas handbook, p. 7).
Vermont: Not confirmed for visitors. Vermont residents must get a Vermont Learner's Permit to drive in Vermont (Vermont manual, p. 13).
Virginia: Not confirmed (Virginia manual).
Washington: Not confirmed. According to the Washington driver guide (p. 11), nonresidents and short-term visitors 16+ with a valid home license may drive; permits aren't mentioned. Check with the Washington Department of Licensing.
West Virginia: Not confirmed. Nonresidents 16+ with a valid license from another state are exempt for up to 90 days per calendar year; permits aren't mentioned (West Virginia handbook, p. 11).
Wisconsin: Not confirmed (Wisconsin handbook).
Wyoming: Not confirmed (Wyoming manual).

A note for New Hampshire learners

New Hampshire doesn't issue learner permits. Unlicensed residents 15½ and older practice with a parent, guardian or licensed adult 25 or older. Because there's no permit card to show, whether New Hampshire learners can practice in other states isn't covered in the handbook. Check with the state you plan to visit.

Can I drive with my permit in another state? Road trip tips

Check before you leave, not at the border. Contact the visiting state's DMV or police, as the New York and Vermont handbooks advise. If you'll pass through several states, check each one. One "no" state on the route (like Utah) means the licensed driver takes over there.
Call your insurance company. Pennsylvania's handbook specifically says to confirm with your insurer before driving out of state on a permit.
Carry your paperwork. Bring your physical permit. Oklahoma's handbook says to carry a physical copy of your vehicle insurance and registration for any out-of-state trip.
Follow the stricter rule. You must meet both your home state's restrictions and the visiting state's. In Florida, that means daylight-only driving for your first three months with a permit and a 21+ licensed driver beside you. In New Hampshire, your supervisor must be 25+.
Know where learners can't drive. In New York, no learner may drive on New York City park streets, on Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority bridges or tunnels, or on the Cross County, Hutchinson River, Saw Mill River or Taconic State parkways in Westchester County.
Check your supervisor's license. Colorado requires the supervisor of a Colorado permit holder to hold a valid Colorado license. Make sure your own state's supervisor rules still work for the adult riding with you.
Keep records if the hours count. If any of a Minnesota teen's six months of permit driving happened outside Minnesota, they need a certified driving record from that state when applying for the provisional license.

Moving, not visiting?

Moving to a new state is a different situation. Several states let your old permit time count (Arizona, California and Oregon say so), but you'll usually need that state's own permit. Kentucky requires new residents to transfer to a Kentucky permit, Tennessee gives a 15-year-old new resident a Tennessee learner permit, North Carolina asks new residents 15 to under 18 to contact a local driver license office, and New Jersey puts new residents under 18 into its GDL program. If you'll need to take a new knowledge test, our permit practice tests cover every state.