Junior permit and junior license limits

Key points

1. A junior learner may drive only with a licensed driver at least 21, or a parent, guardian or spouse 18 or older, in the front seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 3

   “You may only drive under the supervision of a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age or a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older and holds a driver’s license.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 3

2. Drivers under 18 may not carry more passengers than there are seat belts.

   Source: Handbook p. 2

   “drivers under the age of 18 cannot have more passengers in the vehicle than the number of seat belts.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 2

3. A junior license holder may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless a parent, guardian or spouse 18 or older is along.

   Source: Handbook p. 3

   “You may not drive between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., unless your parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older is with you.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 3

4. Work, volunteer fire company or public or charitable service is an exception, with a notarized affidavit or certificate.

   Source: Handbook p. 3

   “However, you may drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., if you are involved in public or charitable service, a member of a volunteer fire company or employed during those hours. In these cases, you must carry a notarized affidavit or certificate of authorization”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 3

5. At first, you may carry only one passenger under 18 who is not immediate family unless a parent or guardian is along.

   Source: Handbook p. 4

   “You may not carry more than one (1) passenger under the age of 18 who is not an immediate family member unless a parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is 18 years of age or older is in the vehicle with you.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 4

6. After the first six months, the limit rises to three non-family passengers under 18.

   Source: Handbook p. 4

   “After the first six (6) months of driving on a junior license, the limit is increased to no more than three (3) passengers under the age of 18”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 4

7. A junior driver gets a mandatory 90 day suspension for 6 or more points or for driving 26 mph or more over the limit.

   Source: Handbook p. 4

   “You will receive a mandatory 90-day suspension if you accumulate six (6) or more points or are convicted of driving 26 miles per hour (mph) or more over the posted speed limit.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 4

8. Your junior license automatically becomes a regular license when you turn 18.

   Source: Handbook p. 4

   “Your junior driver’s license will automatically become a regular driver’s license when you turn 18 years of age.”
   Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Handbook p. 4

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Pennsylvania practice test

1. 1. Which person may sit in the front seat and supervise a Pennsylvania learner's permit holder?

   1. Any licensed driver who is at least 16
   2. A licensed driver at least 21, or a licensed parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse at least 18
   3. Only a certified instructor, regardless of family relationship
   4. A passenger aged 18 who has never held a license
   Show answer

   A licensed driver at least 21, or a licensed parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse at least 18. A Pennsylvania permit holder may practice with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. The manual also permits a properly licensed parent, guardian, person in loco parentis, or spouse who is at least 18. The 16-year-old choice is below the general age requirement, and the instructor-only choice removes the listed family exceptions. The supervising driver must sit in the front seat. Before practice begins, verify both the supervisor's license and the required age or relationship.

2. 2. During what hours are junior license holders in Pennsylvania generally prohibited from driving, absent an exception for travel to/from employment or volunteer service?

   1. Midnight to 6 a.m.
   2. 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
   3. 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
   4. 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
   Show answer

   11 p.m. to 5 a.m.. The ordinary nighttime restriction for a Pennsylvania junior driver's license runs from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. The other time ranges shift both endpoints and therefore do not describe the junior-license rule. Limited exceptions include being with a qualifying adult or driving for specified employment, public, charitable, or volunteer service with required documentation. For a straightforward exam question, anchor the restriction to 11 at night and 5 in the morning before considering whether an exception is stated.

3. 3. For the first six months on a junior license in Pennsylvania, how many passengers under 18 who are not immediate family may a driver carry without a parent/guardian present?

   1. No more than two
   2. No more than three
   3. An unlimited number
   4. No more than one
   Show answer

   No more than one. During the first six months of a Pennsylvania junior license, the driver may carry no more than one passenger under 18 who is not an immediate family member, unless a qualifying adult is in the vehicle. Two, three, and unlimited choices exceed the initial cap. The later three-passenger allowance is conditional and cannot be applied early. When studying this rule, separate the first six months from the expanded period and check whether the question supplies the adult exception.

Source: the Pennsylvania Driver's Manual (PUB 95), Chapter 1: Non-Commercial Learner's Permit Information. 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.