Teen Driver GDL Restrictions Explained for Parents

When a teen passes the road test, they usually do not get a full, unrestricted license. They get something in between: a provisional, intermediate or junior license with limits on when they can drive and who can ride with them. This system is called graduated driver licensing, or GDL.

The rules can feel fussy, especially when your teen's friends need a ride home after practice. But each limit targets a specific, well-documented risk. This guide explains the stages, the most common restrictions, how they differ by state, and why they exist.

The three stages

According to NHTSA, all 50 states and DC use a three-stage GDL system. The details vary, but the shape is the same:

1. Learner's permit. The teen drives only with a licensed adult supervisor. Most states require a set number of supervised practice hours (see Learner's Permit Practice Hours by State: A Log Guide) and a minimum holding period.
2. Intermediate license. Granted after a road test. The teen can drive alone, but with limits on night driving and teen passengers.
3. Full license. The restrictions are lifted, usually after a set time without problems or at a certain age.

NHTSA says GDL systems can reduce teen crash risk by as much as 50%.

Night driving restrictions

The intermediate stage usually includes a curfew, a window of late-night hours when the teen cannot drive without a supervisor (often with exceptions for work, school or emergencies).

Why: the CDC says nighttime driving is riskier for all drivers but particularly dangerous for teens. It reports that the nighttime fatal crash rate for drivers 16 to 19 is about 3 times that of adults 30 to 59, per mile driven.

Passenger restrictions

Most of the states in the table below limit how many young passengers a new driver can carry, at least for the first months. Some ban non-family passengers entirely at first.

Why: the CDC says teen or young adult passengers increase the crash risk of unsupervised teen drivers, and that the risk rises with each additional passenger. NHTSA cites a study finding teens were about 2.5 times more likely to engage in risky behavior with one teen peer in the car, and about 3 times more likely with multiple passengers, compared with driving alone.

How the rules differ: examples by state

Here is how several states handle the intermediate stage, based on the IIHS graduated licensing laws table. IIHS notes its table may not be current, so confirm with your state agency.

State	Night limit	Passenger limit
California	11 p.m. to 5 a.m.	No passengers under 20 (limited family exception)
Florida	11 p.m. to 6 a.m. at 16; 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. at 17	None
Illinois	From 10 p.m. Sun to Thu and 11 p.m. Fri to Sat, until 6 a.m.	First 12 months: no more than 1 passenger under 20
New Jersey	11 p.m. to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger (limited dependents exception)
New York	9 p.m. to 5 a.m., except NYC	No more than 1 passenger under 21
Ohio	Midnight to 6 a.m. (first 12 months), then 1 a.m. to 5 a.m.	First 12 months: no more than 1 passenger
Pennsylvania	11 p.m. to 5 a.m.	First 6 months: no more than 1 under 18; then no more than 3
Texas	Midnight to 5 a.m.	No more than 1 passenger under 21

State agencies spell out their own rules in more detail. A few examples:

Notice how much variety there is. A New York teen may face a 9 p.m. limit, while a Texas teen's starts at midnight. Florida has no passenger restriction in the IIHS table, while California bars passengers under 20. If your family drives across state lines, look up each state's rules.

Phones

Some states also restrict phone use by new drivers, separate from adult phone laws. West Virginia, for instance, bans cell phone use and texting by permit and intermediate license holders and treats it as a primary offense. Check your state's rules, and consider a phone-free rule in the car whatever the law says.

Why age and timing matter too

GDL is not only about curfews and passengers. IIHS says strong night and passenger restrictions, along with a later licensing age, reduce fatal crashes and insurance losses. It reports that raising the licensing age from 16 to 17 is associated with a 13% lower fatal crash rate among 15 to 17 year olds.

The CDC adds that crash risk is particularly high during the first months of licensure. That is exactly the period the intermediate stage covers.

Seat belts and the basics

GDL rules sit on top of the basics. NHTSA reports that 51% of teen passenger vehicle drivers who died in 2024 were unbuckled. No curfew or passenger limit replaces buckling up on every trip.

FAQ

What does GDL stand for?

Graduated driver licensing. It is a three-stage system (learner's permit, intermediate license, full license) that all 50 states and DC use, according to NHTSA.

What time is the curfew for teen drivers?

It depends on the state. In the IIHS table it ranges from 9 p.m. in New York (outside NYC) to midnight in Texas, Colorado and Georgia. Check your state agency for exact hours and exceptions.

Can my teen drive friends home?

Often not right away. Many states in the IIHS table limit young passengers for the first 6 to 12 months. Georgia allows only immediate family in the first 6 months, and California bars passengers under 20 during the intermediate stage.

Does GDL actually reduce crashes?

Research says yes. NHTSA says GDL can reduce teen crash risk by as much as 50%, and IIHS says strong night and passenger restrictions reduce fatal crashes.

Start with real training

GDL limits work best when the new driver has had solid training before driving alone. If you are choosing lessons, pick a school your state has licensed. You can browse driving schools in our directory to see each school's license details, and check a certificate issued through RoadVerified.