Get your permit after 18
By Jeffrey Heng, Co-Managing Editor
After 18 years of living on this planet, I finally got my hands on my Pennsylvania learner’s permit a month ago after years of getting rides from my younger peers: From one of my friends forgetting to pick me up at Wilson Farm Park, to almost crashing into a tree and to a classmate jokingly threatening to run me over after dropping me off at my house, it’s about time I hit the roads behind the wheel myself.
In all seriousness though, getting your permit at, or even after, the age of 18 is not as bad of an idea as some may think. Getting my permit as an 18-year-old has some advantages, such as not having to wait the six-month training period to log any hours before applying for my driver’s license. After the age of 18, you have full autonomy in terms of working toward getting your license at a pace that feels right for you.
In addition, waiting until you turn 18 to get your permit is beneficial as you have more time to mature as a young adult and can gain more situational awareness for the road. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the crash rate per mile driven for 16-year-olds is about 1.5 times higher than it is for 18 to 19-year-old drivers. Although the delay may be slightly tedious, waiting a few years until you turn 18 can provide individuals ample time to best prepare themselves for not only their permit test, but also when they’re actually on the road. Likewise, you could use the extra time before getting your permit to focus on other priorities.
Don’t get me wrong; there are lots of advantages to getting your permit before you turn 18. For one, the required training period to log hours of driving in specific weather conditions is a way for many 16 and 17-year-olds to gain valuable driving experience, especially with an experienced adult as a guide. However, getting your permit after you turn 18 doesn’t necessarily equate to having less practice before you get your driver’s license, even if there is no required amount of hours to log. No matter what age you are, everyone should practice driving for however much time they feel is necessary to feel they’ve mastered the required skills — because ultimately, those 18 and older have the benefits of doing so while having more control over their life behind the wheel.
Don’t get your permit after 18
By Abby Chong, Co-Managing Editor
For many teens, 16 isn’t just an age. It’s the start of a journey toward independence and responsibility behind the wheel. In Pennsylvania, teens become eligible to apply for a learner’s permit once they turn 16 years old, giving them time to practice driving under supervision and develop safe habits. The earlier teens start driving with guidance, the more confident, prepared and safe they’ll be when it’s time to drive on their own.
Pennsylvania law requires all drivers under 18 to complete 65 hours of supervised driving, including at least 10 hours at night and five in bad weather. This training takes time but builds essential driving foundations, like handling unexpected road situations, reading traffic patterns and maintaining focus. In contrast, teens who wait until they are 18 to get their license can bypass these required driving hours, leading to missed learning experiences that help reduce crash risk.
Teens in high school are involved in a range of activities — like jobs, sports, volunteer work and clubs — and being able to drive gives them the freedom to pursue these interests without depending on others for rides. That independence teaches real-life skills like time management, self-reliance and responsibility, all of which are important as teens prepare to become adults.
Some argue that teens aren’t mature enough to handle the responsibility of driving, but that’s exactly why starting earlier makes sense. Learning to drive while under the supervision of a parent or trusted adult gives teens the chance to make mistakes and learn from them while in a controlled environment. According to a study by the Governors Highway Safety Association in April 2025, “Teens with more supervised driving practice during the learner’s permit phase have fewer crashes.” Not only does this help make teens more reliable and safe drivers, it gives them more practice with real-world scenarios like driving at night or in bad weather. These early experiences help teens develop better judgment and avoid risky behavior later on when they’re driving solo.
The reality is this: Learning to drive takes time, and the more time teens have to practice with guidance, the better. Getting a permit at 16 isn’t about pushing teens into adulthood too soon; it’s about giving them a safe and supported path toward independence.
So, if you’re turning 16 this school year, don’t wait. Apply for your permit, start practicing and take advantage of the time you have now to become a safer, more confident driver. You’ll thank yourself later, and so will everyone else on the road.
Abby Chong can be reached at [email protected].
Jeffrey Heng can be reached at [email protected].
