Minors' Rights & Restrictions

Minors' Rights & Restrictions

You might be a finely responsible young man or woman, but statistics don't lie. You have too many minor brethren that make up the majority of motor vehicle crashes.

So, to protect everyone from your relatively high odds of crashing, we rein you in, especially during your teenage years.

You'll first get this piece of paper that says "Learner's License" on it. You're permitted to drive, but you have to have a licensed driver who's 21 years of age or older in the front passenger seat at all times.

This bears repeating. You can't drive alone. Anywhere. This is huge. If a cop catches you driving alone with only a Learner's License, it's likely that you won't get your real license until you're at least 18.

Think you're cool because you're 16 and have your Intermediate License? You still can't drive between the hours of 11:00PM and 4:00AM without that 21-year-old in your passenger seat unless you're driving to or from work, school, church, or the hospital. You also can't have more than one unrelated minor in your car unless accompanied by that 21-year-old driver buddy.

The belief is that in this probationary time, you'll be extra super extra extra cautious. And if you're not, then you aren't ready to be inflicted on everyone else who has to use the same roads as you.

And while we're on the subject, anyone convicted of a serious traffic violation or involved in an accident will have to wait an additional six months to a year to upgrade their license, so be careful out there.

Already feeling antsy? Want to upgrade your Learner's License to an adult license? Let's play a little game to see if you're eligible.

Learner's License: Choose Your Own Adventure (As Long As It Sticks to State Rules)

Let's say you've had your Learner's License for a while now and want to upgrade to the real deal:

A. Are you 18 or older? If YES, go to B. If NO, go to C.
B. Congrats! Once you turn 18, you don't need that Learner's License anymore. Time to upgrade.
C. Are you at least 16 years old? If YES, go to D. If NO, go to E.
D. Have you successfully avoided incurring a moving traffic violation within the last twelve months? If YES, go to F. If NO, go to E.
E. Sorry kid, you're gonna have to wait a while.
F. Have you held your Intermediate License for at least six months? If YES, go to G. If NO, go to E.
G. Have you passed a driving test? If YES, go to H. If NO, go to E.
H. Congrats! You're the proud owner of a shiny new Class D Arkansas Driver's License.