PriceProtect™
DriveShield™
GarageGuard™
Services
Insurance
Car Insurance
Compare Car Insurance with Jerry
Jerry’s Expert Advice
Car Insurance Estimates
Home & Renters Insurance
Renters Insurance
Loans
Car Loan
Compare Car Loans with Jerry
Jerry's Expert Advice
Car Loan Guides
Repairs
Car Repair Estimates
Repair Estimates for Popular Services
Advice
Read Car Content
Browse Jerry Car Advice
Check Out Expert Car QnA
Learn About How We Create Content
Jerry Data & Research
Can you practice driving without a permit?
My eldest child turns 16 soon and is begging me to teach her how to drive. Can I start teaching her before she gets her permit if I’m in the car?
Jason Tushinski · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We all need to learn somehow, right? However, legally speaking, it is illegal to drive on public roads or highways without a valid driver’s permit or license. Learning to drive under the supervision of a fully licensed adult on private property—say, an empty parking lot—is more of a gray area. In such a case, double check your local laws to be sure.
Under no circumstances, however, can someone without a permit or driver’s license drive on public roads or highways. Here’s why:
- Legal age: Most states require drivers to be at least 16 years of age to legally drive (the legal age in some states is 18 and 14 in a handful of other states). If your 16-year-old is pulled over by police while learning how to drive, they can be issued multiple tickets and fines—even if they’re just learning.
- Liability: Without a permit, your teen isn’t insured. If they are involved in an accident or damage property, they can be held liable.
- Delayed driving eligibility: Getting caught practicing without a permit can result in a teen’s driving privileges being suspended or revoked—this means a delay in when they’ll be able to get their driving permit, let alone a full license.
- Difficulty finding Insurance: Once they do get their license, it may be difficult to find affordable insurance based on an ill-fated attempt to learn to drive without a permit.
We here at Jerry know how exciting it is to begin driving. But remember, driving without being licensed is illegal—wait until your teenage driver is of age in your state and with a driver’s permit in hand before they begin practicing.
When that teen driver of yours does get their license, they’ll need
car insurance
, and the car super app Jerry
is the best place to find a great policy at an affordable price—even for new drivers!Sign-up takes just 45 seconds, and then Jerry gets to work comparing more than 50 top quotes for them to choose from. Jerry will even sign them up to their new policy. Jerry will also automatically search for better rates before each renewal period!
Happy learning!
View full answer
- Gregory R.
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance
You Might Also Be Interested
Read Advice From Car Experts At Jerry
What Others Are Asking
Browse More Content
Insurance for Your Car
Insurance in Your State
Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance
No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls
Quotes from top insurance companies
