Beginning to drive is an exciting process but can also be a dangerous one since immature and inexperienced drivers are shown statistically to be in more accidents than experienced drivers. The minimum age to drive is not usually as low as 14 or 14 and a half due to this fact however the minimum age to begin the licensing process differs across the US so some states may allow you to get a permit at this early age.

The age at which you may start to legally drive a car varies from state to state within America depending upon the state laws that are in place. Just as some states a have graduated driver licensing (GDL) program while others do not. The age at which US states allow for a teenager to drive is typically fifteen or sixteen. The youngest age in the US at which you can drive appears to be 14 years old in South Dakota who can apply for an instructional permit.

The South Dakota Driver Licensing division notes that 14 is the minimum age that you can obtain a driver license in SD however, it will be restricted since it is an Instruction Permit. This permit allows you to drive under supervision. Between the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. you can drive with any licensed adult and from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. with a legal guardian.

To get an Instruction Permit at age 14 in South Dakota, you and a guardian must go to your local issuing station. You must hold this permit for a minimum of 180 days, unless a state approved drivers education class has been successfully completed then it must be held for 90 days. After this time period you can apply for your Restricted Minor's Permit if you have driven six months violation-free.

To get a full Operator's license in South Dakota you must be at least 16 and if you are still a minor, have your parent/guardian's written approval.

There are other states in which you can start the licensing process at 14 or so, such as Texas and Michigan.

In Texas a teen can enroll in a driver education class at age fourteen (14). At 14 years of age one can enter the classroom phase of driver education, and then the teen must be at least 15 years to enter the in-car phase. Those are the minimum ages and some schools require students to be older.

A TX student is not permitted to apply for an instruction permit until he or she is at least 15 years of age and has completed at least Module One (minimum of six instructional hours) of a driver education classroom program. So while you can start driver education classes in Texas at age 14 the TX DPS notes specifically that the legal driving age in Texas is 15 years of age, no exceptions.

In the state of Michigan one can apply for a level one learner's license at an early age. One must be at least 14 years 9 months old and have successfully completed Segment 1 of an approved driver education program and present a Segment 1 Certificate of Completion to the MI Secretary of State Office (SOS). You must also have a parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult sign the Level 1 application

There may be other states that allow you to start the licensing process at 14 or 14 1/2 however to find out at what age your state allows you to first get behind of the wheel of a car you will need to contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles.

Typically each state's DMV website gives information on the minimum age requirement for starting the licensing process. The DMV site may allow you to look at the driver's manual which will not only give you the minimum age for driving in state but also include the basics of how to obtain a driver's license.

If your state does allow you at 14 1/2 to obtain a learner's permit this does not mean you can drive with this permit in all states in America. Since each state has their own licensing laws other states may not allow a teen to legally drive in their state at this early age. Many states require you to be at least 16 years of age, whether you are a state resident or from out of state. Some states do not accept a learner's permit as a license at all and thus without a full license will not allow you to drive in their state no matter your age.

So if you do obtain a learner's license at 14 and a half in your state of residence and then want to drive in other states with this permit you would need to contact any state that you wish to drive in to find out their laws. If you can drive in other states at this age and with only a permit you may need to follow both your state’s restrictions and conditions for a permit as well as the other state’s restrictions for a permit.

When you do obtain your learner's permit, at whatever age your state allows, you will need to make sure you are properly covered by insurance whether you are driving in state or out of state. Your parents will need to inform their auto insurance provider when you start the licensing process and their agent will tell them when you need to be added to the policy.