Yes — but only with supervision. Six US states let 14-year-olds get a learner's permit and drive with a licensed adult in the car. No state, however, allows a 14-year-old to drive alone. Here's exactly which states allow it, what "driving at 14" really means, and what comes next.
The 6 states that allow driving at 14
- Alaska — permit at 14
- Arkansas — permit at 14
- Iowa — permit at 14
- Kansas — permit at 14
- North Dakota — permit at 14
- South Dakota — permit at 14 (and the youngest restricted license in the country at 14½)
Just above 14: Idaho and Montana issue permits at 14½, and Michigan at 14 years 9 months. For every state's ages, see our complete 50-state driving age table.
What "driving at 14" actually means
At 14 you get a learner's permit, not a license. That means:
- A licensed adult (usually 21+, often a parent) must be in the front seat every time you drive.
- Most of these states require holding the permit 6–12 months and logging supervised practice hours before the next stage.
- Night-driving and passenger restrictions typically apply even after you graduate to a restricted license.
In other words: at 14 you're learning, not commuting. The permit is practice time under adult supervision — the foundation of the graduated licensing system every state uses.
Can a 14-year-old drive alone anywhere?
No. The youngest age for any kind of solo driving in the US is 14½ — South Dakota's restricted license — and even that carries restrictions on nighttime driving. Everywhere else, unsupervised driving starts at 15 at the earliest, and more commonly at 16.
Why these states start so early
The 14-permit states are mostly rural: long distances between towns, farm and ranch work, and limited public transport make driving a practical necessity for teens. Denser states tend to set higher minimums — which is part of why the driving age differs in every state.
What comes after 14
The usual path: supervised permit (6–12 months + practice hours) → restricted/intermediate license with limits → full unrestricted license (16 to 18 depending on the state). Wondering about the permit stage specifically? See how old you have to be to get a learner's permit.
Note: licensing ages can change. Confirm the current rules with your state's DMV.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive at 14 in the USA?
Yes, in six states — Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota — you can get a learner's permit at 14. But it is supervised driving only; no state allows a 14-year-old to drive unsupervised.
Which states allow driving at 14?
Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota issue learner's permits at 14. Idaho and Montana start at 14½, and Michigan at 14 years 9 months.
Can a 14-year-old drive alone anywhere in the US?
No. No state allows unsupervised driving at 14. The youngest restricted license age is 14½ in South Dakota — and even that comes with restrictions.
What comes after driving at 14?
After a supervised permit period — usually 6 to 12 months with logged practice hours — teens graduate to a restricted license with limits on night driving and passengers, then eventually a full license.