In the United States, the driving age is determined by the state or territory, with the most common age being sixteen. The minimum age for a license varies from 14 to 18 years. Most states and territories also have learner driver's licenses (also called learner's permit), which allow a person to drive provided they are accompanied by a licensed driver unless goin to work or school. There has also been a trend toward "graduated driver's licenses," in which new (especially young) drivers are gradually allowed more driving privileges instead of being given complete driving privileges all at once. Learner's permits are granted by some states to drivers as young as fourteen. Some states also issue driver's licenses to 14 or 15 year old drivers to drive alone. New Jersey issues licenses to 17 year olds and in New York City, senior licenses may be obtained only by 18 year olds or 17 year olds who have completed a driver's education course.
In all of these states, the laws which apply are those of the state in which the driver operates the motor vehicle. (Example: a 14 year-old learner's permit holder in Arkansas would have to wait until 14½ to drive in Montana, or a 16 year-old driver's license holder from West Virginia must follow all learner's permit standards for driving in Pennsylvania until he or she turns 16½).
Many states share a common system of license classes, with some exceptions, and commercial license classes are standardized by the federal law of 49 CFR part 383.
