LAutoviaTest
QuizLeçonsPerception des RisquesComment ça marcheTarifsBlog
Se connecterCommencer Gratuitement
← 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
🇪🇸Espagne18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
🥈#2
🇩🇪Allemagne18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
🥉#3
🇮🇹Italie18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
4🇳🇱Pays-Bas18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
5🇵🇹Portugal18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
6🇵🇱Pologne18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
7🇯🇵Japon18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
8🇧🇷Brésil18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
9🇲🇽Mexique18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
10🇦🇷Argentine18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
11🇸🇪Suède18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
12🇻🇳Viêt Nam18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
13🇨🇭Suisse18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
14🇫🇮Finlande18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
15🇳🇴Norvège18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
16🇰🇷Corée du Sud18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
17🇦🇹Autriche18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
18🇹🇷Turquie18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
19🇪🇪Estonie18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
Practice →
20🇷🇴Roumanie18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
21🇨🇿Tchéquie18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
22🇺🇦Ukraine18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
Practice →
23🇬🇷Grèce18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
24🇸🇦Arabie saoudite18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
25🇱🇺Luxembourg18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
26🇰🇼Koweït18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
Practice →
27🇧🇭Bahreïn18 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🇪🇬Égypte18 years18 is the most common minimum age globally.
FactsPractice →
Based on AutoviaTest's driving-test database covering 67 countries.Updated 2026
🥇#1🇪🇸Espagne
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
🥈#2🇩🇪Allemagne
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
🥉#3🇮🇹Italie
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#4🇳🇱Pays-Bas
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🇵🇱Pologne
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#7🇯🇵Japon
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#8🇧🇷Brésil
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#9🇲🇽Mexique
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#10🇦🇷Argentine
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#11🇸🇪Suède
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#12🇻🇳Viêt Nam
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#13🇨🇭Suisse
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#14🇫🇮Finlande
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#15🇳🇴Norvège
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#16🇰🇷Corée du Sud
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#17🇦🇹Autriche
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#18🇹🇷Turquie
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#19🇪🇪Estonie
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →
#20🇷🇴Roumanie
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#21🇨🇿Tchéquie
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🇬🇷Grèce
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View FactsPractice →
#24🇸🇦Arabie saoudite
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🇰🇼Koweït
18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →
#27🇧🇭Bahreïn
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🇪🇬Égypte
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

Votre partenaire mondial pour la préparation aux examens de conduite. Réussissez votre examen en toute confiance.

Suivez-nous sur YouTubeSuivez-nous sur InstagramSuivez-nous sur TikTok

Ressources d'Apprentissage

  • Quiz d'Entraînement
  • Leçons
  • Tests d'Entraînement
  • Tarifs
  • Blog

Pour les Auto-écoles

  • Pour les Auto-écoles
  • Connexion Auto-école
  • Nous Contacter

Ressources

  • Examen de Conduite
  • Classements mondiaux des examens de conduite
  • Guides d'Examen
  • Sécurité Routière
  • Sécurité Routière pour Entreprises
  • Road Safety Certification Protocol (RSCP)
  • Panneaux Routiers
  • FAQ
  • Guide International de Conduite
  • Conduire en Europe
  • Conduire aux États-Unis
  • Faits sur la conduite en Inde
  • Guide Permis pour Expatriés
  • Rapports sur le Code de la Route
  • Auto-écoles
  • Changements 2026

Types de Permis

  • Permis B (Voiture)
  • Permis A (Moto)
  • Permis C (Camion)
  • Permis D (Bus)
  • Permis AM (Cyclomoteur)
  • Voir tous les types de permis →

Guides des Villes

  • Barcelone
  • Paris
  • Rome
  • Londres
  • Bangkok
  • Tokyo
  • Voir Tous les Guides →

Villes Populaires

  • Madrid
  • Barcelone
  • Paris
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Londres
  • Voir toutes les villes →

Perception des Dangers

  • Espagne
  • France
  • Allemagne
  • Italie
  • Pays-Bas
  • Portugal
  • Royaume-Uni
  • Pologne
  • Suisse
  • Danemark
  • Suède

Mentions légales

  • Politique de Confidentialité
  • Conditions de Service
  • Politique des Cookies
  • Directives éditoriales
  • Nous Contacter

Bien-être

  • Réduisez votre stress, nervosité et anxiété avec Manifested

AutoviaTest est une plateforme éducative indépendante. Notre contenu est basé sur les réglementations officielles de conduite et vérifié auprès de sources gouvernementales dans chaque pays. Les supports de pratique sont conçus pour vous aider à préparer votre examen officiel. Pour les exigences les plus récentes, consultez toujours votre autorité locale.

© 2026 AutoviaTest. Tous droits réservés.