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Is Drivers Ed Required If You're 18? State-by-State
Most states drop the drivers ed rule at 18, but not all. See which states require a course for adults 18 to 24, from Texas and Ohio to Virginia and Washington.
In most states, no: drivers ed is required only for applicants under 18, so turning 18 removes the requirement. But a growing group of states, including Texas, Ohio, Virginia, Illinois and soon Washington, still require some form of driver education or a shorter adult course for young adults.
Here is where things stand, based on the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) graduated licensing laws table and state agency pages.
Key takeaways
- In most states with a drivers ed rule, it applies to applicants under 18.
- Some states extend it: Texas (6-hour course for 18 to 24), Virginia (under 22), Ohio (under 21) and Utah (under 19).
- Others require a shorter adult course for young adults, like Illinois and Colorado.
- Maryland and Louisiana require driver education regardless of age, per IIHS.
- Washington is phasing in a requirement for young adults starting January 1, 2027.
- Rules change. Always confirm with your state's licensing agency.
States that require drivers ed or a course past 18
The table below summarizes the IIHS footnotes for states that require something from applicants 18 or older. IIHS compiles laws from all states; check with your state agency for the latest version.
| State | Who must take a course | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Applicants 18 through 20: a 4-hour prequalification driver awareness program | IIHS |
| Florida | Applicants 18 or older: an approved traffic and substance abuse education course | IIHS |
| Illinois | Applicants 18 through 20 who did not take drivers ed in school: a 6-hour adult driver education course | IIHS |
| Louisiana | All license applicants: a driver education course | IIHS |
| Maryland | Driver education required regardless of age | IIHS |
| Ohio | License applicants younger than 21: driver education | IIHS |
| Texas | Ages 18 through 24: a 6-hour adult driver education course | Texas DPS |
| Utah | License applicants younger than 19: driver education | IIHS |
| Virginia | License applicants younger than 22: driver education | IIHS |
| Washington | Phasing in: ages 18 to under 19 from Jan. 1, 2027, rising to under 22 by Jan. 1, 2030 | ESHB 1878 |
Some states also require adults to hold a permit for a set time before the road test, even without a course. IIHS lists Connecticut (three months for an adult learner's permit), Rhode Island (thirty days), South Carolina (30 days) and Virginia (at least 90 days for ages 18 to 21), among others.
A closer look at four states
Texas
Texas is the clearest example of an adult requirement. The Department of Public Safety says a 6-hour adult driver education course is required for all persons between the ages of 18 and 24 before testing for a license. People 25 and older do not need it.
Adults testing in Texas also need an Impact Texas Driver certificate, and DPS says it must be dated within 90 days of the driving skills test. New residents 18 or older who surrender a valid out-of-state license are exempt from the adult course. For details, see Texas 6-Hour Adult Drivers Ed: Who Needs It.
Ohio
IIHS says Ohio requires driver education for license applicants younger than 21. Older first-time applicants have their own rule: Ohio's Traffic Safety Office says an applicant 21 or older who fails the first road or maneuverability test must complete an abbreviated adult course before the second attempt.
That course is a 4-hour class (in person or state-approved online), followed by either 4 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed instructor or 24 hours of driving with a licensed driver 21 or older, documented on an affidavit.
Washington
Washington currently requires driver education for applicants under 18. A 2025 law, Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1878, phases in a requirement for young adults seeking their first license:
- January 1, 2027: ages 18 but under 19
- January 1, 2028: ages 18 but under 20
- January 1, 2029: ages 18 but under 21
- January 1, 2030: ages 18 but under 22
The law also adds rules for applicants under 25, such as a free online work zone and first responder safety course. Our guide Washington's Expanded Drivers Ed Law for Young Adults covers it in full.
Illinois and Colorado
Neither requires full drivers ed for adults, but both require a shorter course for young adults. In Illinois, applicants 18 through 20 who did not take drivers ed in school need a 6-hour adult driver education course. In Colorado, applicants 18 through 20 need a 4-hour prequalification driver awareness program.
States where 18 is the cutoff
Many states require drivers ed only for applicants under 18. In the IIHS table, that includes Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon and Rhode Island, among others. Michigan says plainly that neither driver education nor an intermediate license is required for applicants 18 and older.
Should you take drivers ed anyway?
Even where the law does not require it, adult beginners often benefit from professional lessons. You learn in a dual-control car with a trained instructor who can spot and correct habits early. It can also help with insurance; see Does Driver's Ed Lower Car Insurance? Discounts by State. If you are deciding how many lessons you need, read How Many Driving Lessons Does an Adult Beginner Need?.
Whichever course you take, make sure the school or online provider is licensed or approved in your state. A certificate from an unapproved provider may not be accepted at the DMV.
FAQ
Do I need drivers ed if I'm 18?
In most states, no. But Texas (ages 18 to 24), Ohio (under 21), Virginia (under 22) and Utah (under 19) require some form of driver education past 18, according to Texas DPS and IIHS. Illinois, Colorado and Florida require a shorter course for some adults.
Do I need drivers ed if I'm 25 or older?
Usually not. Texas says people 25 and older do not need the adult course. IIHS lists Maryland and Louisiana as requiring driver education regardless of age, so check if you live there.
Which states require drivers ed for under 25?
Texas requires a 6-hour adult course through age 24. Washington's new law reaches applicants under 22 by 2030, plus extra rules for applicants under 25. IIHS lists Virginia's requirement as under 22.
Is online drivers ed accepted for adults?
Often, if the provider is approved by your state. Texas lets certified driving schools offer courses online, and Ohio accepts a state-approved online class for its abbreviated adult course. Check your state's approved provider list.
Find a verified driving school
Whether your state requires it or not, good lessons make new drivers safer. Browse driving schools in our directory and look for the verified check mark.
Sources
- iihs.org/research-areas/teenagers/graduated-licensing-laws-table
- dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/choosing-driver-education-course
- dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/apply-texas-driver-license
- otso.ohio.gov/programs/ohio-driver-training/for-drivers/adult-drivers
- wtsc.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Young-Driver-Safety-Bill.pdf
- lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/Biennium/2025-26/Xml/Bills/House%20Passed%20Legislature/1878-S.PL.xml