In New York, teenage drivers can get a junior license at the age of 16, provided they pass all the necessary written and driving tests. A New York junior license allows a teen to drive unsupervised in the state, but with restrictions. The graduated license laws sets limits on the number and age of passengers who those with a junior driver’s license can have in their vehicles.
In Upstate New York, a teen with a junior driver’s license can have no more than one passenger under the age of 21, unless those passengers are immediate family members. He can carry additional non-family passengers if a parent or guardian is also riding along. Every passenger must wear a seat belt and passengers under the age of four must ride in a federally-approved child safety seat. Between the hours of 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., the same passenger rules apply except only supervising drivers over the age of 21 can ride in the front seat during that time. No other passengers are allowed to ride up front.
A teen with a junior driver’s license may not drive alone in any of the five New York City boroughs, no exceptions. On Long Island, specifically Nassau and Suffolk counties, a teen with a junior driver’s license can only drive under the direct supervision of a parent, guardian or driving instructor. However, a teen is limited to the types of passengers he can drive. Only a supervising driver over the age of 21 may ride in the front seat. There can be no more than one passenger younger than 21, unless they are immediate family members.
