The New York Department of Motor Vehicles told us that NYS restricts driving privileges if you are under the age of 18 and have an out of state driver license, or you are any age and have an out of state learner permit. The NYS DMV went on to say that you must obey the restrictions of both your home state and the NYS restrictions for learner permits or junior licenses while in New York State.
This NYS DMV brochure on for New Drivers outlines what restrictions and conditions are placed on those with learner permits and junior (provisional) licenses that drive within the state of New York.
The New York Division of State Patrol notes on its site that non-residents of NYS, who have valid licenses issued by their home states or countries and are over the age of 18 may drive in New York State, subject to any restrictions on their licenses. Those drivers under 16 years of age are not permitted to drive in New York State no matter what type of license they hold.
You fall in the last category, those between 16 and 18 years of age. Those that are 16 or 17 years of age may drive in New York State, but are subject to and must obey, New York State Junior Operator restrictions which include:
No driving is permitted within the five boroughs of New York City: Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Richmond.
You may drive in all other areas of New York State, except the five boroughs of New York City with these conditions:
- Between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. without being accompanied, except Nassau and Suffolk Counties.
- Between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. without being accompanied when traveling to and from school or work.
- Between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. when accompanied by a parent or guardian.
So it appears that even though you have a full license that you would still be subject to obey NYS junior licensing restrictions, which includes not being able to drive in New York City (NYC) and the need to be accompanied by a supervising driver in certain sections of the state at certain times.
To make sure you can drive alone in the section of New York State that you wish to visit, and make sure there are not other restrictions NYS places upon you than the ones noted here and the ones you must follow from your home state of Connecticut, contact the NYS DMV directly.
You should be aware of the restrictions Connecticut has placed upon you but we will list the restrictions we are aware of here as a reminder. According to the Connecticut DMV after obtaining a driver's license, 16 and 17-year-old drivers may drive alone but there are certain restrictions still in place until a driver is eighteen years of age.
If you received your CT license on or after August 1, 2008 you have new curfew and passenger restrictions. The new curfew is that driving is prohibited between the hours of 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. unless the teen is traveling for employment, school, religious activities, medical necessity, or if the individual is an assigned driver in the Safe Ride Program.
Now during the first six months the newly licensed driver may not have any passengers in the vehicle except for a licensed driving instructor giving instruction; or his or her parents or legal guardian, at least one of whom holds a valid driver’s license; or one person who is providing instruction and is at least 20 years old, has held a driver’s license for four or more consecutive years and whose license has not been suspended during the four years prior to training.
During the second six months (months 7 through 12) the only additional passengers allowed in the vehicle are members of the driver’s immediate family.
Sixteen and 17-year-old CT license holders who have been issued a license before August 1, 2008, must follow the restrictions in effect at that time. So if you received your license previous to Aug 1, 2008 it appears your curfew would prohibit you from driving between the hours of midnight to 5 a.m. unless the individual is traveling for employment, school, religious activities or for a medical necessity, or if the individual is an assigned driver in a Safe Ride program.
Passenger restrictions in place for those teen drivers licensed before Aug 1, 2008 were in place for 6 months instead of 12 months and stated that during the first 3 months only parents or a legal guardian (at least one of whom holds a motor vehicle operator's license), or not more than one passenger who is a driving instructor licensed by the DMV, or a person 20 years of age or older who has held a license for 4 years and has not had his or her license suspended during that four year period. Passenger restrictions then continue during the second three months when the only additional passengers allowed are members of the teenage driver’s immediate family.
Other restrictions for Connecticut teen drivers, no matter when you obtained your license, include:
- Until their 18th birthday, teenage drivers may not transport more passengers than the number of seat belts in the vehicle.
- Until his or her 18th birthday, a driver may not operate any vehicle that requires a public passenger transportation permit, or a vanpool vehicle.
- Any driver issued a motorcycle endorsement may NOT transport a passenger for six months after obtaining the endorsement.
- Until their 18th birthday, teenage drivers may not use cell phones (even if they are "hands-free") or mobile electronic devices while they are driving. A "mobile electronic device" includes any hand-held computer or other device with any type of video display.
Also effective August 1, 200 the CT DMV will suspend the driver’s license of a 16- or 17-year-old for any conviction of violating a teen driving restriction, speeding, reckless driving, street racing or using a cell phone or text messaging device while driving. A first offense comes with a 30-Day license suspension, $125 license restoration fee and court fines.
Again to see if you can drive in alone at age 16 1/2 in the part of New York that you want to operate a vehicle in with your Connecticut license, check with the NYS DMV so that you will correctly follow their teen graduated drivers licensing (GDL) restrictions.
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