A provisional license is a license with special conditions that is given to people between the ages of 15 1/2 to 18 years old. It is also referred to as a provisional instruction permit, a learners permit, or a driver's permit. To obtain a provisional license, a person must first obtain a provisional instruction permit, which requires completing a driver education course and passing a written test. The permit and driver license are called "provisional" because they have additional restrictions placed on them that adults (18 and over) do not have. Some common restrictions include:
- Shall not drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied and supervised by a licensed driver who is the parent/guardian, a licensed driver who is 25 years of age or older, or a certified driving instructor.
- Limits on passengers under 20 years old in the car for the first year.
- Curfews, like not being able to drive between 11 pm and 5 am (exceptions for work can be applied for) .
- Not allowed to be employed in a job that requires driving a vehicle.
Provisional licenses are designed to decrease motor vehicle collisions involving teens and to give new drivers an opportunity to practice driving with special conditions.
