An open Arizona highway past a red rock butte under a blue sky

Quick answer

Not on public roads. Arizona law says a person may not drive a motor vehicle on a highway, which includes public streets, without a valid license, so a teen should wait for the instruction permit, available at 15 years and 6 months at the earliest. Before then, study the Arizona Driver License Manual, take ADOT's practice tests, and learn the car's controls while it is parked.

By DVDS Team

#practice driving without a permit#Arizona instruction permit#teen driver

Many teens want a head start before they are old enough for a permit. The short answer is that driving on public roads has to wait for the permit. The good news is that a lot of useful practice does not need a steering wheel in motion.

What Arizona Law Says

Arizona law (A.R.S. 28-3151) says a person shall not drive a motor vehicle on a highway without a valid driver license. The law defines a highway as every publicly maintained way that is open to the public for vehicle travel, so it covers ordinary city streets, not only freeways.

ADOT's permit test page is clear on the order of events: after you get your instruction permit, you can begin supervised driving practice.

When You Can Get a Permit

According to ADOT's Teen Driver Guide to Class G Permit and License:

You must be at least 15 years and 6 months old to apply for a Graduated Instruction Permit.
You must pass the knowledge test, in an office or through the Permit Test @ Home.
You pass a vision test and have your photo taken in an office, with a parent or guardian there to sign approval.

The written test has 30 multiple-choice questions, and you need 80 percent or higher to pass.

Practice You Can Do Before the Permit

1. Study the Arizona Driver License Manual

ADOT puts the Arizona Driver License Manual online in English and Spanish, and the test questions come from it. Read one section at a time. Our Arizona permit test study plan breaks it into steps.

2. Take the ADOT Practice Tests

ADOT publishes three practice tests. Take one early to find the sections you do not know yet, then use the other two to check your progress.

3. Be an Active Passenger

Every ride with a parent is a chance to practice the thinking part of driving. From the passenger seat, call out the speed limit, the next traffic sign, who has the right of way at each intersection, and where you would start to slow down. Ask the driver to explain choices out loud, such as when to change lanes or why they waited before a left turn.

4. Learn the Controls in a Parked Car

With the car parked and an adult present, learn where everything is: seat and mirror adjustment, turn signals, headlights, wipers, hazard lights and the parking brake. Knowing the controls by feel means your first supervised drive can focus on the road.

5. Read Up on Tricky Situations

Some situations are easier to understand on paper before you face them in traffic. Two good places to start are our guides to roundabouts and to pulling over for emergency vehicles.

Once the Permit Is Issued

With your permit, you can drive with a licensed driver 21 or older in the seat beside you. ADOT's standard path is at least 30 hours of supervised practice, including at least 10 at night, and then the road test. Another path is a high school or privately operated driver education program, which waives the road test. You must hold the permit for 6 months, or until you turn 18, before you can get your license, and the permit is valid for 12 months.

Start Lessons With Deer Valley Driving School

Every Deer Valley Driving School student needs a valid Arizona permit before behind-the-wheel lessons. When your permit is issued, see our Phoenix driving school page or find a location near you, compare packages on the programs and pricing page, and book your first lesson.