LAutoviaTest
QuizLessonsHazard PerceptionHow It WorksPricingBlog
Sign InGet Started Free
← All Rankings

Highest Minimum Driving Age by Country

Countries ranked by the minimum legal age to hold a full Class B driving licence. Most of the world sets 18 as the floor, but a few notable exceptions go higher — and several countries allow earlier provisional licences.

#CountryMin AgeNotesExplore
🥇#1
🇪🇸Spain18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
🥈#2
🇩🇪Germany18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
🥉#3
🇮🇹Italy18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
4🇳🇱Netherlands18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
5🇵🇹Portugal18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
6🇵🇱Poland18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
7🇯🇵Japan18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
8🇧🇷Brazil18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
9🇲🇽Mexico18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
10🇦🇷Argentina18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
11🇸🇪Sweden18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
12🇻🇳Vietnam18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
13🇨🇭Switzerland18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
14🇫🇮Finland18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
15🇳🇴Norway18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
16🇰🇷South Korea18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
17🇦🇹Austria18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
18🇹🇷Turkey18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
19🇪🇪Estonia18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
Practice →
20🇷🇴Romania18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
21🇨🇿Czechia18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
22🇺🇦Ukraine18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
Practice →
23🇬🇷Greece18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
24🇸🇦Saudi Arabia18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
25🇱🇺Luxembourg18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
26🇰🇼Kuwait18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
Practice →
27🇧🇭Bahrain18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
Practice →
28🇶🇦Qatar18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
Practice →
29🇴🇲Oman18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
Practice →
30🇪🇬Egypt18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
Based on AutoviaTest's driving-test database covering 67 countries.Updated 2026
🥇#1🇪🇸Spain
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
🥈#2🇩🇪Germany
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
🥉#3🇮🇹Italy
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#4🇳🇱Netherlands
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#5🇵🇹Portugal
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#6🇵🇱Poland
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#7🇯🇵Japan
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#8🇧🇷Brazil
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#9🇲🇽Mexico
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#10🇦🇷Argentina
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#11🇸🇪Sweden
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#12🇻🇳Vietnam
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#13🇨🇭Switzerland
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#14🇫🇮Finland
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#15🇳🇴Norway
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#16🇰🇷South Korea
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#17🇦🇹Austria
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#18🇹🇷Turkey
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#19🇪🇪Estonia
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →
#20🇷🇴Romania
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#21🇨🇿Czechia
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#22🇺🇦Ukraine
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →
#23🇬🇷Greece
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#24🇸🇦Saudi Arabia
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#25🇱🇺Luxembourg
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#26🇰🇼Kuwait
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →
#27🇧🇭Bahrain
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →
#28🇶🇦Qatar
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →
#29🇴🇲Oman
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →
#30🇪🇬Egypt
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
Based on AutoviaTest's database covering 67 countries · Updated 2026

Methodology

The ranking uses the minimum age to hold a full unrestricted Class B (passenger car) driving licence. Many countries allow provisional or learner licences earlier (often 15-17) with conditions like supervised driving only, restricted hours, or lower alcohol limits.

Graduated licensing systems that require additional stages after the initial age (common in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, most US states) are not factored into this ranking — the age shown is the final full-licence age.

Ties are broken alphabetically. Commercial driver licence ages (typically 21+ for heavy goods and buses) are excluded.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum driving age in most countries?+
The global median minimum age for a full Class B driving licence is 18, adopted by most European countries, Japan, and many others. The United States varies by state, with full unrestricted licences typically available from 17-18. A handful of countries set the age at 16 (e.g. parts of Canada and some US states), and a few go as high as 21 (e.g. Algeria for commercial vehicles).
Which country has the highest minimum driving age?+
Based on AutoviaTest's database of 67 countries, countries requiring 18+ for an unrestricted Class B licence are the strictest category. Many countries in the Middle East and parts of Asia apply 18 as a firm minimum without provisional-licence exceptions, while others allow earlier learner permits.
Can teenagers drive before their legal minimum age?+
Most countries allow provisional, learner, or accompanied-driver licences before the full minimum age. Germany's "Begleitetes Fahren ab 17" allows 17-year-olds to drive with a registered adult, Norway's Trafikalt grunnkurs can start at 15, and the UK allows provisional licences at 15 years 9 months. The minimum age in AutoviaTest's ranking is the age for a full unrestricted licence.
Why do different countries set different minimum driving ages?+
Minimum ages balance public-safety concerns (young drivers are statistically higher-risk) against practical needs (rural access, economic participation). Countries with strong public transport networks often set higher ages, while countries with dispersed populations and limited transit tend to set lower ones. Graduated licensing systems (learner → provisional → full) are increasingly common as a middle ground.
Does a higher minimum age mean safer roads for young drivers?+
Evidence suggests yes, but only as part of a package. Countries that combine a higher minimum age with mandatory training, graduated licensing, and zero-tolerance alcohol limits for novices (e.g. Norway, Sweden, Germany) see the lowest young-driver fatality rates. Raising the age alone has a smaller effect without complementary policies.
Can I drive abroad before the local minimum age with my home licence?+
Generally, no. If you are resident in a country with a higher minimum age, that country's rules apply — even if your home licence would permit driving. Tourists with valid foreign licences are usually allowed to drive at the age their licence was issued for, but this varies. Always check the destination country's rules before driving abroad.
What is a graduated licensing system?+
Graduated licensing (GDL) is a multi-stage process where drivers earn progressively more privileges over time. Typical stages are: Learner (supervised only) → Provisional/Intermediate (with restrictions like no late-night driving, no passengers, lower alcohol limits) → Full unrestricted licence. New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and most US states use GDL systems. The ages in this ranking refer to the final Full licence stage.

Data Sources

This ranking is compiled from official licensing authorities and government road-safety bodies. All values are normalised to allow direct comparison across countries.

  • •
    European Commission — Driving Licence Directive
  • •
    NHTSA — Graduated Driver Licensing (USA)
  • •
    UK Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
  • •
    Statens vegvesen — Norway (Trafikalt grunnkurs)
  • •
    NZ Transport Agency — Waka Kotahi
  • •
    Austroads — Australia/NZ licensing framework
  • •
    Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) — Spain
  • •
    Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) — Germany

Last updated April 2026. AutoviaTest normalises data from government sources into a single comparable format. Methodology and licence: CC BY 4.0.

Preparing for your first driving test?

AutoviaTest offers free practice tests based on official question banks for 60+ countries. Whether you're learning at 16 or taking a refresher at 30, we've got you covered.

Start free practice test→Browse all rankings

Free · No signup · 60+ countries

LAutoviaTest

Your global partner for driving test preparation. Pass your test with confidence.

Follow us on YouTubeFollow us on InstagramFollow us on TikTok

Learning Resources

  • Practice Quiz
  • Lessons
  • Practice Tests
  • Pricing
  • Blog

For Schools

  • For Driving Schools
  • School Login
  • Get in Touch

Resources

  • Driving Test
  • Global Driving Test Rankings
  • Test Guides
  • Road Safety
  • Road Safety for Business
  • Road Safety Certification Protocol (RSCP)
  • Road Signs
  • FAQ
  • International Driving Guide
  • Driving in Europe
  • Driving in United States
  • India Driving Facts
  • Expat License Guide
  • Traffic Law Reports
  • Driving Schools
  • 2026 Rule Changes

License Types

  • Car License (B)
  • Motorcycle License (A)
  • Truck License (C)
  • Bus License (D)
  • Moped License (AM)
  • View All License Types →

City Guides

  • Barcelona
  • Paris
  • Rome
  • London
  • Bangkok
  • Tokyo
  • View All City Guides →

Popular Cities

  • Madrid
  • Barcelona
  • Paris
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • London
  • View All Cities →

Hazard Perception

  • Spain
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • United Kingdom
  • Poland
  • Switzerland
  • Denmark
  • Sweden

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Cookie Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Contact Us

Wellness

  • Reduce your stress, nervousness and anxiety with Manifested

AutoviaTest is an independent educational platform. Our content is based on official driving regulations and verified against government sources in each country. Practice materials are designed to help you prepare for your official driving test. For the most current requirements, always check with your local driving authority.

© 2026 AutoviaTest. All rights reserved.