New York, like many other states in the country, has adopted what is referred to as a graduated approach to driver’s licenses for people under the age of 18. This means that drivers who receive learner’s permits or junior drivers’ licenses can only operate motor vehicles under certain restrictions. These restrictions ease in a graduated fashion until they are eventually lifted.
The New York Department of Motor Vehicles website indicates that teenagers in New York will automatically be graduated from a junior driver’s license to a senior license upon turning 18. New York teenagers who are under 18 years old can earn a senior license before turning 18 if they successfully pass a college driving instruction course or if they have graduated from high school. Under New York traffic law, a teenager must be 16 years old before being granted a junior learner’s permit. Out-of-state residents who are under 16 are not allowed to drive in New York even if they are allowed to do so in their home states.
Junior drivers in New York are required to follow all traffic laws. The requirements or restrictions for junior drivers vary based upon region. For these purposes, the state is split into three sections. The first is Long Island, the second is the area covering all five New York City Boroughs and the last one is everything north of New York City. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to a teen getting license suspension or revocation.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but general information about the graduated driver’s license approach in New York.