What is the minimum age to obtain a learner's permit in most states?

In most states, the minimum age to obtain a learner's permit is 15 years old. This allows young drivers to begin gaining the necessary experience behind the wheel under the supervision of a licensed adult. The learner's permit serves as an important first step in the graduated licensing process, which is designed to help new drivers develop their skills and knowledge of driving rules in a safe environment.

At 15, applicants typically must also fulfill other requirements, such as passing a written test and possibly completing a driver's education course, depending on the state's regulations. While some states do allow for a learner's permit at 14, this is less common and not applicable in most areas. As for the options of 16 and 18 years old, those ages generally relate to the full provisional or regular driver's license rather than the initial learner's permit phase.