Transportation and Vehicle Safety: Permit or Lisence?, communication devices, driving experience

Question
if your over the age of 18 and know how to drive is it a better idea to get your permit or just get the license? is there benefits of getting your permit first such as lower insurance? or should i get the permit for more experience. I'm in the state of Oregon if that helps at all.

Answer
Hello Danielle and welcome to AllExperts!

A drivers permit is better known as a provisional instruction permit. Its purpose is to allow those under age to gain driving experience while being subject to many restrictions as follows:

1)  You must be accompanied by a person who has a valid driver license.
2) They must be at least 21 years of age.
3) They must be sitting beside you.
4) The supervising driver must have had their license for at least three years
5) You will be required to have 50-100 hours of supervised driving before you can get your license.
6) Hands-free communication devices are prohibited.

A drivers license does not subject you to the above restrictions.

The only benefit to a provisional instruction permit is the owner of the vehicle in which you are operating will not be required to place you on their insurance policy, which will save a gaggle of money. If the car intended to be driven is legally is registered to you, then you WILL have to be insured even as a provisional permitted student.

The choice is yours, but all things being equal, you are much better off with a regular drivers license.

I hope this helps. Have a great day Danielle.

Terry