Thursday, September 19

Provisional driver's license: what is it and what are your privileges


Los permisos de aprendizaje son considerados licencias provisionales por su tiempo de duración.
Learning permits are considered provisional licenses due to their duration.

Photo: Jan Baborák / Unsplash

Provisional driving licenses are driving licenses that have a certain duration in time and are normally associated with several restrictions . These types of documents grant some privileges as long as the driver meets various conditions imposed by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). In the United States, the most representative are commercial learning permits – which are granted to drivers who are in the process of obtaining a commercial driver’s license for a duration of 14 days — and also provisional licenses issued to teen drivers when they are in the process of obtaining an unrestricted standard driver’s license .

In the case of adolescents, provisional licenses grant the driving privilege as long as the applicant makes use of this privilege in the company of an adult with a valid driver’s license in the state where he resides . In other words, teenage drivers cannot drive alone, at least not until they reach the legal age to do so or until the DMV authorizes it. Something similar happens with commercial apprentices, who must use their license in the company of an experienced commercial driver with the necessary guarantees and endorsements during the 14 trial days.

Although laws differ from state to state, provisional licenses or permits are almost always subject to the same restrictions :

1. Age limit for the carrier that also applies to its passengers, except for the adult who supervises it.

2. Limit hours to use your privileges: Most states prohibit these drivers from operating a car between 11 pm and 5 am

When drivers who have this type of documentation do not comply with the rules, may also be subject to suspension or revocation of their privileges , even the DMV can postpone the date so that obtain an unrestricted standard driver’s license, thus lengthening the application process.

To apply for a provisional driver’s license or permit, as opposed to commercial drivers, adolescents will need the authorization of a parent or legal guardian to carry out the procedure before the DMV. This authorization is normally justified by signing the corresponding form, where the adult agrees to be responsible for the driver and for any damages that may be caused during the use of their privileges.

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