Hardship Licenses for Minors

Jonita Davis
Jonita Davis, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Jun 30, 2011 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."

Teens are eager to get behind that wheel long before they are legal to do so. For most, they must endure the wait. State laws allowing hardship licenses relieve other teens suffering from the wait. The licenses are not given without restrictions. Different states have varying requirements that include academic limitations, parental consent, work requirements, and even necessity. Although the hardship license was created to help legalize teens driving farm equipment, they are given to teenagers in much less dire need of a license.

Eligibility

The states that issue hardship licenses have minimum age requirements for doing so. It is either 14 or 15. You must prove hardship as well. Hardships include family emergencies, needing drive to and from school (must live in rural areas), and to help with the family farm.

Location

Hardship licenses are issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles in your area. Speak with your school's administrative officials before going to find out what you will need to bring in order to receive your license.

Requirements

You must bring a parent, as the licenses are not issued without parent permission. Also bring your birth certificate, social security card and school ID if you have one. Make sure your parent has a driver's license or ID with them as well. The DMV may also require your last report card or a special form from the school.

The Process

After the ID is presented, you will take a written exam that covers the rules of the road. Pass the test and you receive a paper slip that is a permit. You must hold the permit with receiving a violation for at least 30 days depending on the state. After that, you return to take a practical test that involves actually driving a preplanned route. Pass this and you get your hardship license.

"Hardship License (Class H or XH)," Tennessess Government: Department of Safety and Homeland Security
Texas State Legislature, "Texas Transportation Code--Section 521.223.Hardship License," OneCL
Learner Permits, "What is a Learner's Permit," Wyoming Department of Transportation

Published by Jonita Davis

Jo Davis is a freelance writer, author of both fiction and nonfiction. Online bylines include USA Today Travel and Connect ED, along with thousands of other web content clips. Davis's fiction credits include...  View profile

  • The states that issue hardship licenses have minimum age requirements for doing so.
  • Hardship licenses are issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles in your area.
  • You must bring a parent, as the licenses are not issued without parent permission.
You will take a written exam that covers the rules of the road. Pass the test and you receive a paper slip that is a permit. You must hold the permit with receiving a violation for at least 30 days depending on the state you live in.

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