How To Get A Learner's Permit
by: Michael Kabel

Are you ready to get behind the wheel? Depending on where you live, turning fifteen my mean you're finally eligible to get a learner's permit. With the right paperwork and your parents' permission, you'll be able to operate a motor vehicle when a licensed adult driver rides with you.

Learner's permits give you the freedom to learn.

Learner's permits allow you the real-world experience of driving a car. They're not a substitute for Driver's Education classes, however, and shouldn't be seen as a "junior driver's license." Instead, think of a learner's permit as a trial period while you get comfortable operating a car, truck, or van.

Some states require you wait a certain amount of time before getting your permit. Maryland, for example, issues permits to those who are fifteen years and nine months old. Other states may require you to wait until you're sixteen, though some allow them at fourteen in special circumstances. In some rare cases a full "hardship" driver's license can be issued to teens fourteen or fifteen years old who can show a family need for them to drive.

Where to go for the paperwork

Learner's permits are typically granted by the Department of Motor Vehicles in your state. They'll have offices in most cities and towns. A list of contact phone numbers for the DMV's of each state can be found at http://www.dmv-department-of-motor-vehicles.com/phonenumbers.htm. You can also save time by finding the nearest office online.

Getting the paperwork right

This is the tricky part, because the documents needed to get a learner's permit vary by state. Most will need proof of your identity, however. Any state-issued identification card you already have will work perfectly. So will a birth certificate, passport, or other government-issued photo ID. You'll probably also need a Social Security card, too, so be sure you've got yours before heading to the DMV office.

Your state's DMV will forms of their own for you to fill out, and probably some for your parents to sign, as well. You might want to see if you can download them from the Internet and fill them out before going to the DMV office. This will save time and you won't have to coordinate an extra trip there with your parents.

To help you organize, get a folder and designate it your "Forms' Box," including everything the state DMV says you need to bring with you. Paperwork is an important part of interacting with the government - maybe you've heard your parents or other adults complain as much before. Though it seems boring while you're doing it, you'll save yourself time and frustration by following all the instructions to the letter before turning in the forms.

By the way, it's best to get to the DMV offices as early as possible in the morning. They tend to fill up as people go there on business during their lunch breaks and after work. And bring cash for the permit fees, too.

How long you keep the permit

You'll need to keep the permit for several months to a year before you can apply for a full license. The typical length is somewhere around six months. As always, it's best to check with your state's individual requirements.