Why do you have to be 16 to get a drivers license?

[TheOMGer]

I know in some states you can get it at 15, but why do most states have it set at 16?(P.S, I wasn't sure what section to put this thread in.)

[Ryan in the House]

I wasn't aware that any states allowed you to apply for a driver's license as early as 15 years old - which states do that?

Anyway, I think 16 is the required age because people are getting into driving classes in their Sophomore year, and by that time they're probably 15, so they can apply for their learner's permit with the knowledge they get from the class; then, after all that time driving around with a supervisor, their skills are assumably high enough to drive a car by themselves.

In most states, 16 is the minimum age requirement to get married (with parental consent), so being 16 does open many possibilities - it's really nothing new.

[darckonquest]

Ryan said:

I wasn't aware that any states allowed you to apply for a driver's license as early as 15 years old - which states do that?

Most as far as I'm aware - it's called a "hardship" license. Issued in instances where the young individual can not get to school (or something the state believes is important) because of parents working and bus not running where they live, stuff like that. However, from what I hear it's fairly easy to get one around here.
-DarC

[TheOMGer]

Ryan said:

I wasn't aware that any states allowed you to apply for a driver's license as early as 15 years old - which states do that?

Anyway, I think 16 is the required age because people are getting into driving classes in their Sophomore year, and by that time they're probably 15, so they can apply for their learner's permit with the knowledge they get from the class; then, after all that time driving around with a supervisor, their skills are assumably high enough to drive a car by themselves.

In most states, 16 is the minimum age requirement to get married (with parental consent), so being 16 does open many possibilities - it's really nothing new.

I'm not sure what states you can do it in, but I think that it might be Alabama, or some other state in the deep south.

[Creative]

wrong section dude.. this is for forum questions

[darckonquest]

state laws my friend

[moonchester]

Guys be happy that you can drive at 16 here in England its 17 But we can drink at 18!!

[Aaron]

it's a permit at 16.. but we can drive by ourselves at 17

[Ryan in the House]

You can get a permit at 15, Aaron. You need to be 16 to get a license. That's how it was in VA, at least.

[hannie]

in this matter, sweden's the worst! Here we have to wait 'til we're 18 to get a drivers lice! BUT, we can drink when we're 18 , so... *hehe* P-A-R-T-Y !!!

[Ryan in the House]

Kind of weird how that works out, Hannie.

[Wickil]

Maybe they figure you either have money for beer or money for your car?