Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

What happens if I'm caught driving without a permit in New York?

I'm 15 and haven't gotten my permit yet. I want to practice driving, but can anything happen if I am caught without a permit?

avatar
Emily Maracle · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“Learning to drive is exciting and a part of growing up, but there can be serious consequences if you choose to drive without having a permit or license.
Based on your age, it’s illegal for you to operate a motor vehicle in New York. The law states that any person operating a motor vehicle must be at least 16 years old. If you are pulled over while driving, you’ll likely get multiple tickets and could face fines. You may be liable for any damage you cause if you’re in an accident as well.
Even if the vehicle you’re driving has
car insurance
, the company could choose to deny coverage because you’re not legally able to drive.
You also risk having your driving privileges revoked or suspended until a certain age. This means you wouldn’t be eligible to get a learner’s permit or driver’s license until a certain date. When you do get licensed, it’ll likely be harder to find
affordable car insurance
based on your record.
While learning to drive is exciting, you’ll need to wait until you turn 16. If you don’t, you may have to wait even longer to get a license and you may pay way more for car insurance.
Do yourself a favor and hop on the
Jerry
app to compare car insurance rates for a new driver without any violations. It’s not cheap for a teenager. Now imagine that price going way up as a result of driving without a permit. It’s probably not worth it. Keep that in mind the next time you feel the urge to drive your parents’ car.”
View full answer 
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

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings