2023-01-05 08:00:00
You can find out from how many years you can get your driver’s license in the USA, what age you have to be in the countries in Europe and what you have to consider as a tourist when driving in the USA in the article.
Driving a car without an accompanying person is permitted in Germany from the age of 18, provided you have a driver’s license. In the US, each state sets its own minimum age for a driver’s license. This may differ from state to state.
How old do you have to be to drive in the US?
In the USA there is a 3-step system, first you get a probationary driver’s license:
Learner’s Permit: Similar to ours, this is regarding that Driving with a companion an adult. Age can here between 14 and 16 years vary.
Intermediate License / Restricted License / Provisional License: You can drive here without an accompanying person. However, certain requirements must be observed. These can be, for example, limited exit times, cell phone use in the car and the number of passengers. For example, in North and South Dakota, a driver’s license can be issued as early as 14 years and 3 months. In most states (37) you have to be 16 or 16.5 years old.
Full-Privilege License: Die unrestricted driving license is the last step. Again, age differs from state to state and ranges between 16 and 18 years. 22 US states are 18 years old (e.g. Indiana, Georgia and Florida), 10 states are 17 years old (e.g. California, Colorado and Iowa) and 15 states are 16 years old (e.g. California, Colorado). . e.g. Hawaii, Arizona and Nevada) and 16.5 years (e.g. New Mexico, North Carolina and Texas).
Where can you drive a car at the age of 14?
The Learner’s Permit can be taken in Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota and South Dakota at the age of 14. In Idaho and Montana, the minimum age is 14.5 years, closely followed by Michigan at 14 years and 8 months.
Also read: This means the time in the USA
How does driver training work in the USA
In most states there are theoretical and practical classes. The exam includes a written theory test, a practical driving test, a traffic sign knowledge test, an eye test and proof of legal residency in the United States.
Driving license in Europe
You have a full driving license in Europe from the age of 18. In some countries you can get your driver’s license earlier under special conditions. In Germany, for example, a driver’s license can be obtained from the age of 17. However, up to the age of 18 you can only drive a car if you are accompanied by an adult who is over 30 years old, is not under the influence of alcohol and has had a driver’s license for at least 5 years. Other rules of other countries in Europe:
- Austria, Belgium, Spain, Norway and Sweden: Up to their 18th birthday, novice drivers aged 17 and over must attach a sign with the inscription “L17” (driving license at 17) in the vehicle. Here, too, an accompanying person must act as a passenger. The same rules apply here as we do.
- Netherlands, Switzerland, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Denmark and Finland: Driving license possible from the age of 18.
- France: After 21 driving lessons and a passed theory test, citizens in France can drive a car at the age of 16, but only when accompanied by an adult. You have a full driver’s license at the age of 18.
Driving in the USA as a tourist: you should bear this in mind
Since each state makes its own laws, you should first and foremost inform yourself regarding the respective rules. Many rules are the same across states, but some may differ.
Alcohol limit and driving alcohol in the USA
Driving under the influence of alcohol is generally prohibited, unlike in Germany, a limit of 0.8 per mille is accepted in most states in the USA. For novice drivers and those under the age of 21, this is 0.0 per mille. If you are carrying alcohol with you, opened bottles or cans may only be taken in the trunk. If you are traveling with a motorhome, the alcohol must be out of the driver’s reach. Persons under the age of 21 are not permitted to carry alcohol.
Smoking in the car – is it allowed?
If minors are traveling in the car (ie under 21 years of age in the USA), smoking is not permitted in the car.
Compulsory headlights and overtaking
Headlights are compulsory in most US states. This means that you also have to drive with the dipped headlights on during the day.
overtake
Overtaking is prohibited at blind spots such as crests, bends, intersections, etc. Many states allow overtaking on the right, but it is discouraged.
Who has the right of way?
At intersections with stop signs, you will often see a 4-WAY or All Way sign. This means that whoever was at the intersection first is allowed to continue first. Should this lead to ambiguities, the further procedure will be regulated by a show of hands. When arriving at the same time, right before left applies.
Turning right at red traffic lights is partially permitted
The first thing that stands out in the USA is that there are traffic lights behind the intersection or on the side of the road behind them. In most states, you can make a right turn following a full stop at a red light. If this is expressly forbidden, it will be marked with “no right run on red”.
Park and Hold
You can tell where you can park and stop from the various curb markings. On highways, curb parking is not allowed unless you can find parking lane markings on the ground. Parking is prohibited within 3 meters of a hydrant.
- Red: Absolutely no stopping
- Yellow/Black: Stop for emergency vehicles or loading zone (max. 20 minutes for loading and unloading. The driver must be close to the car.
- Green: short-term parking according to the signs
- White: Max. 5 minutes during business hours
- Blue: Disabled parking space
Other important road signs
- YIELD: Give way
- Ped Xing (=Pedestrian Crossing): Pedestrians cross the roadway
- Tow Away: Tow away zone
- DO NOT PASS: No overtaking
- NO TURNS: No turns
- ONE WAY: one-way street
- Keep in Lane: no lane changes / stay in lane
- Car Pool Lane or Diamant Lane: Lane only for car pools, mostly from 2 people per vehicle (number is on the sign)
- WRONG WAY: Turn around immediately, can be a freeway entrance and/or wrong direction)
Behavior at traffic controls
In the event of a traffic stop, stay in the car, open the window and keep both hands visible on the wheel. Then wait for the police officer’s instructions.
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