We live in Virginia. Our oldest, Dweezil, will be getting his learner’s permit in a couple of months (15 and 9 months). Shortly thereafter, but before his 16th birthday, we will be taking a cross-country driving trip.
Depending on how we think he’s doing, we might consider having him help with some of the driving - on the less-populated stretches of the interstates, mainly. This would actually be a huge help, as Typo Knig and I don’t have the best stamina for driving any more.
The GQ aspect is twofold: 1) Can someone with a learner’s permit generally drive out of state? and 2) What if they’re under that state’s legal driving age? (actually I guess that same question would apply if you were licensed, but in a state with a higher driving age).
My google-fu is failing me - I can’t get a good answer anywhere.
As you’d expect, this sort of thing varies from state to state. Pennsylvania (where I live) allows it, but PENNDOT reminds you to check your insurance to see if they cover someone on a learners permit driving out of state. Some insurance companies don’t allow it.
My son has a learner’s permit and can drive to MD and WV. Some states have certain restrictions. WV for example will honor any other state’s learners permit. I believe that New York won’t allow it if the driver doesn’t meet their own requirements for a learners permit. VA has a lower age limit than most states, IIRC (isn’t it 15 1/2 down there?) so you may run into that in NY or some other states if your son is under 16.
Some states also have restrictions on when the person with a learners permit can drive (9am to 9pm or some such).
So far I’ve been able to find out each state’s restrictions by looking on that state’s DMV web pages.
In Ontario, Canada, a driver with a learner’s permit cannot drive on major highways (such as divided highways) so you may want to check about him driving on the interstates in the US.
Currently six states (New Hampshire, Arizona, Hawaii, Vermont, Pennsylvania and South Carolina) and the District of Columbia ban permit drivers from other states. And several others will not recognize any driver (including those holding a drivers license) under 16.
Even when states grant reciprocity, you have to follow the rules for learner’s permits in that state – for example, you can’t drive in New York City with a leaner’s permit.