According to the New York new driver's brochure, a motorist with a learner's permit, junior permit or junior license may drive outside of New York State if it is allowable by the laws of the other state(s).

If you drive out of New York, you must obey that state's learner or junior permit and license restrictions that may apply. The NYS DMV suggests that you check with the police or motor vehicle authorities of the states which you plan on visiting in your automobile.

You will need to check with the DMVs to find out specifically if your will need to follow both the restrictions of your home/licensing state of New York and the state in which you are driving through or only the conditions placed on your by New York. We have read that it is only the conditions that NYS placed on you must be adhered to in some states, such as NJ; however we would advise you to double check this information with the Department of Motor Vehicles of New Jersey and any other state you plan to drive in with your son who has the NYS junior license.

According to the information we have read Pennsylvania does not allow a non-resident who is in possession of a valid learner’s permit from their home state to operate a Motor Vehicle while traveling through Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania law recognizes valid driver licenses issued in the person’s home state, but does not authorize the use of a learner’s permit issued in another state.

However a representative from PennDot stated that you can drive in Pennsylvania with an out of state permit or junior license but you must follow the restrictions or conditions placed on you by your home state.

Since we have received conflicting information we would recommend that you contact PennDot yourself directly to discuss your NYS junior license and see if they will allow you to drive legally in PA with it. 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.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) told us a while ago that with a valid learner’s permit or license from another state one may legally drive in New Jersey as long as you are driving a vehicle that is titled, registered, inspected, and insured in your home state. The out of state permit holder will be subject to the laws of his home state while driving in NJ.

Since state laws are amended constantly, especially considering graduated licensing programs, we would advise you to check with the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and the PA DMV to see what restrictions and conditions you will need to follow while operating a vehicle in these states. It is up to state laws if they allow you with your graduated license to drive at 16 1/2 in their state and with what restrictions. 

Once you know what state laws say about your son driving on their roadways with his NYS graduated license you should also check with your insurance company to make sure they will cover your son when he is driving out of state, typically they will.  Insurance companies have a say on if they will cover him as a driver as a GDL holder operating a car out of state however the state's laws of where he drives are what govern if he can legally drive there or not.

Get tips for teen drivers auto insurance at CarInsurance.com and then get a low cost quote for car insurance for the whole family.