Instruction permits and the graduated license

Key points

1. You may get a graduated instruction permit at 15 years and 6 months.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “If you are at least 15 years and 6 months of age you may be issued a graduated and/or a motorcycle instruction permit.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 12

2. A permit holder must drive with a Class A, B, C or D licensed driver at least 21 in the seat beside them.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “you must be accompanied by a Class A, B, C or D licensed driver at least 21 years of age, who occupies the seat beside you.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 12

3. Graduated and operator permits are valid for 12 months.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “These permits are valid for 12 months.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 12

4. A graduated license is for drivers at least 16 but under 18.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “A graduated driver license is issued to an applicant who is at least 16, but less than 18, years of age”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 12

5. You must hold an Arizona instruction permit at least 6 months before applying for a graduated license.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “An applicant for a graduated license must have held an Arizona instruction permit for at least 6 months.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 13

6. Without driver education, a parent must certify 30 hours of supervised practice, including 10 at night.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “the applicant either has completed at least 30 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 13

7. For the first 6 months, a graduated driver may not drive from midnight to 5:00 a.m., with some exceptions.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “For the first 6 months, a driver with a graduated driver license shall not drive a motor vehicle between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 12

8. For the first 6 months, a graduated driver may carry no more than 1 passenger under 18, with some exceptions.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “For the first 6 months, a driver with a graduated driver license shall not drive a motor vehicle containing more than one passenger under the age of 18”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 12

9. A graduated driver's second traffic conviction brings a 3 month suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “Second conviction of a traffic violation: 3-month suspension of driving privilege.”
   Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 13

10. You must be at least 18 to apply for a Class D operator license.

    Source: Handbook p. 15

    “You must be at least 18 years of age to apply for an operator license.”
    Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Handbook p. 15

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Arizona practice test

1. 1. How old must an applicant be to receive an Arizona graduated instruction permit?

   1. At least 16 years and 6 months
   2. At least 15 years and 6 months
   3. At least 15 years
   4. At least 18 years
   Show answer

   At least 15 years and 6 months. Arizona allows a graduated instruction permit once the applicant reaches 15 years and 6 months. The age is younger than the 16-year threshold for a graduated driver license, while the 18-year figure applies to an operator permit. A useful study cue is to separate the half-year permit age from the later license age. The permit starts supervised practice, so reaching the qualifying birthday does not by itself authorize unsupervised driving. The applicant still has to follow the required supervision conditions and complete the licensing steps described elsewhere in the manual.

2. 2. What is the minimum age for an Arizona graduated driver license?

   1. 15 years and 6 months
   2. 17 years
   3. 18 years
   4. 16 years
   Show answer

   16 years. A Class G graduated license begins at age 16, provided the applicant meets the other requirements. The 15 years and 6 months choice is the threshold for an instruction permit, not the license itself. Seventeen is not the minimum, and 18 is the upper edge of the manual's stated graduated-license age range rather than the starting point. Remember the sequence as permit first, supervised experience next, and Class G eligibility at 16. The manual also says an applicant for a graduated license must have held an Arizona instruction permit for at least six months.

3. 3. During the first six months of a graduated license, which overnight driving period is restricted unless an exception applies?

   1. 1:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
   2. 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
   3. 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
   4. Midnight to 5:00 a.m.
   Show answer

   Midnight to 5:00 a.m.. For the first six months, an Arizona graduated-license driver may not drive between midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless a listed exception applies. Those exceptions include a qualified parent or guardian in the front passenger seat, or travel directly to or from certain school, work, religious, or family-emergency activities. The 10:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. choices begin too early, while 1:00 a.m. begins too late. Picture the restricted window as the five darkest hours around midnight, then check whether the trip fits an exception before driving.

Source: the Arizona Driver License Manual and Customer Service Guide, Licensing: Classes of Licenses. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.