Pennsylvania's driver's manual states that you must be at least 16 years old to first apply for a learner's permit, the first step in their graduated licensing system (GDL).

When applying for a learner's permit in Pennsylvania if you are under 18 years of age, your parent, guardian, person in loco parentis or spouse who is 18 years of age or older must complete the Parent or Guardian Consent Form.

As permit holder you are under certain restrictions such as a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age or a spouse, guardian or parent who is at least 18 years of age and holds a driverʼs license must ride with you in the front seat of your vehicle at all times. In addition, drivers under the age of 18 cannot have more passengers in the vehicle than the number of seat belts.

Your learner’s permit will be valid for one (1) year from the issue date printed on your initial learner’s permit. During this time, there are certain limitations on your driving privilege if you are under 18 years of age. They are:

• You may only drive under the supervision of a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age or a spouse, guardian or parent who is at least 18 years of age and holds a driver’s license. The supervising driver must sit in the front seat.
• You may not drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless your spouse, guardian or parent who is a licensed driver and is at least 18 years of age is with you.
• You may not carry more passengers than seat belts available in the vehicle you are driving.

Junior license is next step. Like the junior learner’s permit, there are some limitations to the junior driver’s license. They are:

• You may not drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless your spouse, guardian or parent, who is a licensed driver and is at least 18 years of age is with you.

However, you may drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., if you are involved in public or charitable service, a member of a volunteer fire company or employed during those hours. In these cases, you must carry a notarized affidavit or certificate of authorization from your employer, supervisor or fire chief indicating your probable schedule of activities. This notarized affidavit should be kept with your driver’s license.

• You may not carry more passengers than seat belts available in the vehicle you are driving.
• You will receive a mandatory 90-day suspension if you accumulate six (6) or more points or are convicted of driving 26 miles per hour (mph) or more over the posted speed limit.

You may get a regular driver’s license after you have held a junior driver’s license for one (1) year, if you meet the following conditions:

• Have passed a driver training course approved by the PA Department of Education.
• Have not been involved in a crash for which you are partially or fully responsible for one (1) year.
• Have not been convicted of any violation of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code for one (1) year.
• Have the consent of your parent, guardian, person in loco parentis or spouse, who is at least 18 years of age.

The minimum age to drive in Philadelphia, PA is the same as the rest of the state of Pennsylvania which is sixteen (16). For more information about the graduated licensing system in place in PA, contact the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) department of Driver Services.