The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Driver and Vehicles Services department as well as the PA driver's manual both state that you must be 16 years of age or older in order to apply for a learner's permit, the first step in learning to drive in the state of PA.

When young drivers are issued a learner's permit, they will also receive a Parent/Guardian Certification Form, which is a form that documents the 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice. Young drivers must bring the completed certification form with them when they return to take the road portion of the driver licensing test (six months or more after obtaining their permit).

After a learner's permit the next step in the PA graduated driving program is the junior license. The earliest age that young drivers can qualify for a full unrestricted driver's license in PA is 17 ½. These drivers must have held a junior driver's license for at least one full year, remained crash- and conviction-free, and completed a state-approved driver's education course to qualify for an unrestricted license before the age of 18.

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