A learner's permit is a restricted license that you must obtain in the United States before you can have an actual driver's license. The typical age to get a learner's permit is 16, although in some states you may be 15 years old. There are restrictions on what you can do when driving under a learner's permit and these rules vary from state to state. The learner must be accompanied by a licensed driver in order to operate the vehicle, a seat belt must be worn by the learner and the learner can only operate the vehicle during certain hours of the day.
To find out what restrictions are on drivers with learner's permits in your state, contact your local DMV or Secretary of State.
In order to obtain a learner's permit in the United States you must pass a written exam. Each state issues a permit booklet with information on being a driver that covers traffic control, intersections and turns, passing and defensive driving.
Once the learner is knowledgeable on all the "rules of the road," he can take the exam.
There is an application fee to take the exam, which can range between $25 to $50 depending on the state. Most states also require you to pass an eye exam before you can even take the written exam.
The written exam consists of multiple choice questions based on subjects in the driver's book. The learner must pass a determined number of questions in order to get a learner's permit.
After taking the learner's exam, you will be notified in writing if you have received your learner's permit. The learner will be issued a conditional permit and will have to have many hours of driving experience before a licensed exam can be taken.