The legality and restrictions surrounding unsupervised driving for provisional license holders vary significantly by jurisdiction. Typically, a learner’s permit grants the privilege to operate a vehicle only under the direct supervision of a licensed driver who meets specific age and experience requirements. This supervised driving period allows novice drivers to gain practical experience and develop essential road skills under controlled conditions. For example, some areas may mandate a certain number of supervised driving hours, including nighttime driving, before a provisional driver can apply for a full license.
Graduated driver licensing programs, which incorporate staged licensing with increasing privileges, are designed to enhance road safety by gradually introducing new drivers to more complex driving situations. Restricting solo driving during the permit phase is a key component of this approach. The rationale is to provide learner drivers ample opportunity to refine their skills and judgment while minimizing the risks associated with inexperience. Historically, the introduction of graduated licensing systems has correlated with a reduction in traffic accidents involving young drivers, highlighting the importance of supervised driving in the early stages of licensure.
