Arizona Instruction Permit Driving Restrictions: Supervision, Solo Driving, Night and Passenger Rules

An Arizona Instruction Permit (Class G) lets you practice driving but you cannot drive alone. A licensed supervisor aged 21 or older must sit in the front seat beside you at all times.

Your permit stays valid for 12 months. You must hold it for at least 6 months without suspension before upgrading to a Class G License. View the official Class G Permit Restrictions Flyer for a printable summary.

Arizona Permit Supervision Rules: Who Qualifies and Who Does Not

Every permit drive requires a qualifying supervisor beside you. Under A.R.S. 28-3154, the person must be at least 21, hold a valid Class A, B, C, or D driver license, and sit beside you in the front seat. For the full supervisor rules, see the dedicated Arizona permit supervisor guide.

Where and When Can You Drive With an Arizona Instruction Permit?

You may practice on Arizona public roads, including freeways, when a qualifying supervisor is seated beside you. The normal Class D/G instruction-permit rule does not create a separate age-16 freeway restriction. Night driving is also allowed while you are properly supervised.

You cannot drive alone. School, work, errands and short trips do not create a solo-driving exception.

Can you drive after midnight with an Arizona instruction permit?

Yes, if you are driving under the instruction-permit rules with a qualified supervisor beside you. The midnight-to-5 a.m. restriction applies later to certain Class G drivers, not as a permit-specific curfew.

Can you drive to work with an Arizona instruction permit?

Yes, but only with the required supervisor beside you. Going to work does not create an exception that lets a permit holder drive alone.

Arizona Permit Passenger Limits: What the Law Says

The instruction permit does not use the same under-18 passenger restriction that applies during the first six months of a Class G license. You may carry friends or siblings while practicing, but the required supervisor must still sit beside you and normal seat-belt rules still apply.

Can you carry friends or siblings while driving on an Arizona permit?

Yes. The permit itself does not impose the later Class G passenger limit, but carrying passengers never removes the requirement for a qualified supervisor in the front seat.

Instruction Permit vs. First Six Months of a Class G License

Cell Phone Use on an Arizona Instruction Permit: Prohibited

The wireless-device restriction applies while you hold the instruction permit itself. Under A.R.S. 28-3154, a permit holder may not use a wireless communication device while driving except for the limited emergency situation described in the statute.

The permit-specific violation is not a stand-alone basis for a stop by itself under the same statute. An officer must have reasonable cause to believe another motor-vehicle violation occurred before stopping or citing solely for this permit restriction.

Can you use GPS on your phone with an Arizona instruction permit?

Do not handle or use the phone for navigation while driving on the permit. Set the route before moving or have your supervisor handle the phone while you drive.

Can You Drive to School or Work With an Arizona Instruction Permit?

You may drive to school, work or another destination only when the required supervisor is beside you. Arizona does not create a school or work exception that allows an instruction-permit holder to drive alone.

Those supervised trips may still be useful practice. Detailed practice-hour requirements belong to the separate Arizona practice-hours guide.

What Happens If You Break Arizona Instruction Permit Restrictions?

Breaking an instruction-permit restriction can lead to a citation, court consequences or an MVD licensing action depending on the actual violation. The fixed $75/$100 sequence in A.R.S. 28-3174 applies to Class G license restrictions, not the basic supervision rule for an instruction permit.

For driving-alone consequences and other traffic violations, use the dedicated Arizona pages rather than assuming one automatic fine or suspension applies to every permit case.

Practice Requirements Before Your Arizona Class G License

Arizona recognizes more than one path before a teen moves from the permit to a Class G license. The standard supervised-practice path requires 30 hours, including 10 at night, while qualifying driver education can change the required practice path. Detailed hour totals, certification and forms belong in the separate practice-hours guide.

What Mistakes Get Arizona Permit Holders Cited?

• Driving without the required qualified supervisor
• Using a wireless communication device while driving outside the statutory emergency exception
• Assuming school, work or a short errand allows solo driving

Arizona Instruction Permit: Quick Rules Reference

An Arizona instruction permit lets you practice driving on public roads with a qualified driver aged 21 or older seated beside you.

Download the Arizona Driver License Manual for the current driving rules. Arizona's teen permit requirements are also available on the ADOT teen driver page.