The Tennessee Department of Public Safety (DPS) stated to us that TN recognizes a valid out of state learner permit, following all the rules, regulations, and restrictions of the issuing State as well as allows its holders of permits to travel out of state. Their representative noted however that you should check with the other states you plan to drive through with your permit to find out if they will accept your TN permit and if there are restrictions/conditions there to follow.

We previously have contacted Kentucky, Illinois and Missouri to see if they allowed teen out of state permit holders to operate a car in their state. Following are their Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) responses.

Kentucky said that they allow the holder of a valid instruction permit issued by their home state/jurisdiction to operate a motor vehicle. KY notes that an out of state permit driver must be at least 16 years of age and abide by the following restrictions while in Kentucky:

• a licensed operator over the age of 21 must be in the front seat beside the driver and
• you cannot operate a vehicle between the hours of 12 Midnight and 6:00 AM, plus
• the operator would be required to adhere to any other restrictions placed on the operation of the motor vehicle by the issuing state.

The Illinois Secretary of State (SOS) told us that they accept any valid learner’s permit, subject to restrictions mandated by the issuing state. You may also want to check and see if they have any extra time, passenger or cell phone restrictions you would have to follow.

The Missouri Department of Revenue representative told us that if you are over the age of 16, you can drive in Missouri on an out of state learner's permit by following the restrictions set forth by your home state. Missouri though does not recognize an out-of-state instruction permit when the visiting permit holder is under the age of 16.Being that you are 17 though that is not an issue for you.

Though MO, IL and KY said that out of state permit holders could drive in their states we would still advise that you contact their Department of Motor Vehicles about driving there with a licensed supervising driver in the vehicle (since you are a permit holder) and to make sure there are not other restrictions that you will need to follow.

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