Learner's permit

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A learner's permit is a restricted license that is given to a person who is learning to drive but has not yet satisfied the requirements necessary to obtain a driver's license. Having a learner's permit for a certain length of time is usually one of the requirements (along with driver's education and a road test) for applying for a full-fledged driver's license. To get a learner's permit, one must typically pass a written test about rules of the road, although the process varies between jurisdictions.

In the United States, the minimum age at which a person can receive a learner's permit varies by state, ranging from 14 to 16. Usually, with a learner's permit, the person may only drive with a person who has had a driver's license for over three years and is also older than a minimum age. If the learner is a minor, the learner must have permission from his or her parent or guardian. The length of time that the learner must have their learners permit before they can get their drivers license depends on their age. Usually, if the learner is a minor, the learner must have the learners permit for six months before he or she can get a drivers license. If the learner is an adult, the learner need only have the learners permit for a few weeks before he or she can get a drivers license.

In Australia the minimum age varies from state to state but is typically between 14 years and 17 years (in most states, 16). Requirements for approval of a learner's permit also vary from state to state. For example, in New South Wales and Victoria, a driver must be able to answer a random selection of multiple-choice questions, [1] while other states require that a person undergo a state-approved driving course before attaining their learner's permit. In all states, the vehicle under control of a learner must display an L-plate and have a licensed driver in the car whilst driving. P-plate drivers that have passed L-plate are on a three year probation. P-Plate drivers may drive unaccompanied by a full licence holder.

In Canada, the minimum age is 16 in order to get a G1.

In the United Kingdom, the minimum age is 17 to get a learners license. When driving under a learners license, the learner must be accompanied by a driver holding a full driving license who is either over the age of 21 and has held a full driver's license for a minimum of 3 years. The vehicle being driven by the learner must also be fitted with l-plates on both the back and front of the vehicle. This tells other road users that the vehicle is being operated by a driver without their full license and that they may make mistakes easily and that the driver may not be fully competant yet. The l-plate consists of a white square plate (often tied to the vehicle or attached by magnets) with a large red L in the middle.

In New Zealand Any person 14 years or over can sit their learners licensing test, which is a theory multiple choice test on road rules. Once they have passed this, they may drive with an adult who has had their full license for at least two years. They must display L plates at all times when driving. After at least 6 months have passed, they take a road test in order to receive their restricted license. On a restricted license, you may only drive between 5am and 10pm; with no passengers other than your dependent children, spouse, or persons holding a full license for more than 2 years. If you sit your practical test in an automatic car you are only legally allowed to drive an automatic while on your restricted. You can sit a full license road test, after 18 months or 1 years if you undertake a defensive driving course.