The Qualifications
Teens can start driving at 15½ under the supervision of a qualified driver who is at least 25 years old. There is no permitting program, so teens only need proof of their age (usually in the form of a birth certificate).
At 16, teens can apply for their youth operator license. In order to do so, any driver under 18 must have completed driver’s education and at least 40 hours of additional driving, 10 of which were at night.
The Class
Driver’s education in the Granite State consists of 30 hours of classroom instruction, 10 hours of driving with a certified instructor, and six hours of observation. The cost for the classes varies across the state, but in the Upper Valley they typically cost about $700.
The Test
Teens need to pass a vision test, a written test and a road test, all of which are administered by the Department of Motor Vehicles and require parental permission. There is no cost to take the test, but if teens pass they must pay $50 for their license.
The Restrictions
Teens with a youth operator license (all drivers between over 16 but under 18) cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.
For the first six months that they have their license they can drive with only one passenger younger than 25 (other than immediate family).
They can’t transport more passengers than there are seat belts in their car.
For more information visit: www.dmv.org/nh-new-hampshire/teen-drivers.php.
The Qualifications
The first step to getting a junior driver’s license in Vermont is to get a learner’s permit, which teens can get when they are 15. It costs $32 to take the learner’s permit test, and $20 to be issued a permit.
After they have had their learner’s permit for at least a year and have a clean driving record for six months, have passed driver’s education and have completed at least 40 additional hours of driving with any driver over 25 (including 10 at night), teens can apply for a junior driver’s license. It costs $19 to take the road test and $32 to be issued a license.
The Class
Driver education in Vermont consists of 30 hours of classroom instruction, six hours of driving with an instructor and six hours of observation.
Most school systems offer driver education to high school students for free, although students can also opt for a private course, which costs between $650 and $1,200.
The Test
Teen drivers in Vermont must pass driver’s ed and a road test administered by the DMV.
The Restrictions
For the first three months that they have their junior driver’s license, teens cannot drive anyone under 25 years old. During the second three months they can begin driving immediate family.
After six months there are no passenger restrictions.
For the first year (or until they turn 18) holders of junior driver’s licenses can’t drive for work (for example, they couldn’t be a pizza delivery driver).
Teens can lose their junior driver’s license for infractions such as speeding or other violations.
For more information visit http://dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/new/junior-drivers-license.
— Kelly Burch