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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.

#	Country	Min Age	Notes	Explore
🥇#1	🇪🇸스페인	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
🥈#2	🇩🇪독일	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
🥉#3	🇮🇹이탈리아	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
4	🇳🇱네덜란드	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
5	🇵🇹포르투갈	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
6	🇵🇱폴란드	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
7	🇯🇵일본	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
8	🇧🇷브라질	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
9	🇲🇽멕시코	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
10	🇦🇷아르헨티나	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
11	🇸🇪스웨덴	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
12	🇻🇳베트남	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
13	🇨🇭스위스	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
14	🇫🇮핀란드	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
15	🇳🇴노르웨이	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
16	🇰🇷대한민국	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
17	🇦🇹오스트리아	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
18	🇹🇷터키	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
19	🇪🇪에스토니아	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Practice →
20	🇷🇴루마니아	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
21	🇨🇿체코	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
22	🇺🇦우크라이나	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Practice →
23	🇬🇷그리스	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
24	🇸🇦사우디아라비아	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
25	🇱🇺룩셈부르크	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
26	🇰🇼쿠웨이트	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Practice →
27	🇧🇭바레인	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Practice →
28	🇶🇦카타르	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Practice →
29	🇴🇲오만	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Practice →
30	🇪🇬이집트	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →

Based on AutoviaTest's driving-test database covering 67 countries.Updated 2026

🥇#1🇪🇸스페인

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

🥈#2🇩🇪독일

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

🥉#3🇮🇹이탈리아

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#4🇳🇱네덜란드

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#5🇵🇹포르투갈

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#6🇵🇱폴란드

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#7🇯🇵일본

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#8🇧🇷브라질

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#9🇲🇽멕시코

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#10🇦🇷아르헨티나

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#11🇸🇪스웨덴

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#12🇻🇳베트남

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#13🇨🇭스위스

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#14🇫🇮핀란드

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#15🇳🇴노르웨이

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#16🇰🇷대한민국

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#17🇦🇹오스트리아

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#18🇹🇷터키

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#19🇪🇪에스토니아

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →

#20🇷🇴루마니아

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#21🇨🇿체코

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#22🇺🇦우크라이나

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →

#23🇬🇷그리스

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#24🇸🇦사우디아라비아

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#25🇱🇺룩셈부르크

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#26🇰🇼쿠웨이트

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →

#27🇧🇭바레인

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →

#28🇶🇦카타르

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →

#29🇴🇲오만

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →

#30🇪🇬이집트

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

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.

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

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Start free practice test→Browse all rankings

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← All Rankings

Highest Minimum Driving Age by Country

#	Country	Min Age	Notes	Explore
🥇#1	🇪🇸스페인	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
🥈#2	🇩🇪독일	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
🥉#3	🇮🇹이탈리아	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
4	🇳🇱네덜란드	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
5	🇵🇹포르투갈	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
6	🇵🇱폴란드	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
7	🇯🇵일본	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
8	🇧🇷브라질	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
9	🇲🇽멕시코	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
10	🇦🇷아르헨티나	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
11	🇸🇪스웨덴	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
12	🇻🇳베트남	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
13	🇨🇭스위스	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
14	🇫🇮핀란드	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
15	🇳🇴노르웨이	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
16	🇰🇷대한민국	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
17	🇦🇹오스트리아	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
18	🇹🇷터키	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
19	🇪🇪에스토니아	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Practice →
20	🇷🇴루마니아	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
21	🇨🇿체코	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
22	🇺🇦우크라이나	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Practice →
23	🇬🇷그리스	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
24	🇸🇦사우디아라비아	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
25	🇱🇺룩셈부르크	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →
26	🇰🇼쿠웨이트	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Practice →
27	🇧🇭바레인	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Practice →
28	🇶🇦카타르	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Practice →
29	🇴🇲오만	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Practice →
30	🇪🇬이집트	18 years	18 is the most common minimum age globally.	Facts Practice →

Based on AutoviaTest's driving-test database covering 67 countries.Updated 2026

🥇#1🇪🇸스페인

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

🥈#2🇩🇪독일

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

🥉#3🇮🇹이탈리아

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#4🇳🇱네덜란드

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#5🇵🇹포르투갈

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#6🇵🇱폴란드

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#7🇯🇵일본

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#8🇧🇷브라질

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#9🇲🇽멕시코

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#10🇦🇷아르헨티나

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#11🇸🇪스웨덴

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#12🇻🇳베트남

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#13🇨🇭스위스

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#14🇫🇮핀란드

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#15🇳🇴노르웨이

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#16🇰🇷대한민국

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#17🇦🇹오스트리아

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#18🇹🇷터키

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#19🇪🇪에스토니아

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →

#20🇷🇴루마니아

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#21🇨🇿체코

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#22🇺🇦우크라이나

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →

#23🇬🇷그리스

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#24🇸🇦사우디아라비아

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#25🇱🇺룩셈부르크

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

#26🇰🇼쿠웨이트

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →

#27🇧🇭바레인

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →

#28🇶🇦카타르

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →

#29🇴🇲오만

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

Practice →

#30🇪🇬이집트

18 years

18 is the most common minimum age globally.

View Facts Practice →

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

Methodology

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?+

Which country has the highest minimum driving age?+

Can teenagers drive before their legal minimum age?+

Why do different countries set different minimum driving ages?+

Does a higher minimum age mean safer roads for young drivers?+

Can I drive abroad before the local minimum age with my home licence?+

What is a graduated licensing system?+

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.

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