My son is 17 and has a NJ provisional driver's license, he wants to drive to Pennsylvania. Does PA have any restrictions regarding his driving in PA?

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) told us that minors with a provisional license are allowed to drive out of state while those with only a NJ learner's permit cannot. So the NJ MVC says as long as you hold a valid New Jersey Provisional Driver License it is legal according to them to drive out of state.

The NJ MVC noted to us that all driving restrictions stay with you even out of state. So if your son does drive out of New Jersey with a provisional license he will need to abide by the conditions associated with this type of license.

According to the New Jersey MVC a person with a provisional license must observe the following requirements and restrictions, effective May 1, 2010:

• May not operate a motor vehicle after 11:01 p.m. and before 5:00 a.m.
• May not use a hand-held or hands-free interactive, wireless communication device
• Unless over age 21, GDL drivers may only drive with the following passengers:
• Special Permit Holders:
  -Supervising driver who is over 21 and licensed to drive for at least three (3) years
  -Parent(s), guardian(s) or dependent(s)
  -One additional passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Examination Permit Holders
  -Supervising driver who is over 21 and licensed to drive for at least three (3) years
  -Parent(s), guardian(s) or dependent(s)
  -One additional passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian
• Probationary (formerly Provisional) License Holder
  -Parent(s), guardian(s) or dependent(s)
  -One additional passenger unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Failure to abide by any GDL restriction during operation of a vehicle by a learner's permit, an examination permit or probationary license holder, who is subject to the GDL requirements, is a violation subject to a $100 fine. See N.J.S.A. 39:3-13.8While it may legal per New Jersey laws for your son to drive out of state that does not mean that all other states will accept his NJ provisional (graduated license or GDL). So you should check with the Department of Motor Vehicles for any state(s) in which you plan on driving into to see if they first allow you to operate a vehicle in their state with your NJ provisional license and if they do if they place any additional restrictions on you beyond those from NJ you must abide by.

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We contacted the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) who told us that your son can drive in Pennsylvania with an out of state permit or junior license but you must follow the restrictions or conditions placed on him by his home state.

You contact PennDot yourself directly to discuss your son's NJ provisional license and the restrictions they have on him while operating a vehicle in PA. They told us that PA DMV service representatives are available between the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Their in-state number is 800-932-4600 and out-of-state phone number is 717-391-6190.

Get information on teen auto insurance here. And remember when your son is driving out of state with his provisional license make sure your car insurance coverages will follow him.