Can I drive on a private road without a license?

[theartist]

I'm 17 and hold a learner's permit, and I live in Virginia. The road I want to drive (without a license-holding adult) is my neighborhood road, which like I said, is privately owned. Is this legal?
Are there any situations where driving without a license WOULD be legal?

[acreature]

Not sure about VA. It is legal to do so in NC as long as the general public do not have access, (gated and guarded community)

[theartist]

So not if it was a regular road that happened to be privately owned?

[Citicop]

I'm 17 and hold a learner's permit, and I live in Virginia. The road I want to drive (without a license-holding adult) is my neighborhood road, which like I said, is privately owned. Is this legal?
Are there any situations where driving without a license WOULD be legal?

Welcome to the forum.

Perhaps you should post an introduction if you intend to stick around so we can start to get to know you.


In Missouri, for instance, your road (if accessible to the public) would still count as a public roadway and you could still be cited for driving without a license.

There are no circumstances in Missouri I am aware of in which an unlicensed driver may legally drive a vehicle.

-Citicop.

[acreature]

So not if it was a regular road that happened to be privately owned?

If it can be accessed by the general public, there are many laws that can be enforced.

[theartist]

Welcome to the forum.

Perhaps you should post an introduction if you intend to stick around so we can start to get to know you.


In Missouri, for instance, your road (if accessible to the public) would still count as a public roadway and you could still be cited for driving without a license.

There are no circumstances in Missouri I am aware of in which an unlicensed driver may legally drive a vehicle.

-Citicop.

I probably won't stick around...haha, sorry. I just need to know this answer...

[Citicop]

I probably won't stick around...haha, sorry. I just need to know this answer...

Then did it occur to you to call your local police department and ask them? Perhaps they know.

-Citicop.

[theartist]

If it can be accessed by the general public, there are many laws that can be enforced.

Okay. Thanks!

[theartist]

Then did it occur to you to call your local police department and ask them? Perhaps they know.

-Citicop.

I'm far too lazy for that. :P But I may end up needing to if I can't find my answer...

[acreature]

Then did it occur to you to call your local police department and ask them? Perhaps they know.

-Citicop.

Word to his Momz, he came to drop bombz.

[Curt581]

That question is state and locality specific. Some places, yes, some no.

In my state, the road better be owned by you or your parents, not some HOA gated community. Even if not strictly illegal, most of those have policies prohibiting unlicensed driving. If they allowed it, they'd be accepting civil liability in case of an accident.

I can't think of any situations where driving without a license would be legal.

Don't waste energy trying to find a way around the law. Just get your regular license or wait until you can. Problem solved.

[Citicop]

I'm far too lazy for that. :P But I may end up needing to if I can't find my answer...

Too lazy to pick up a phone to get an answer to a question you want.

And you get to vote next year.

YAY AMERICA!

Citicop.

[Curt581]

Too lazy to pick up a phone to get an answer to a question you want.

And you get to vote next year.

YAY AMERICA!

Citicop.

These are the children we've raised.

Sometimes I just want to hurl.

[theartist]

Don't waste energy trying to find a way around the law. Just get your regular license or wait until you can. Problem solved.

I'm only trying to because I need to drive from my home to my bus stop and back (over a mile of walking with a 25-lb backpack), and my parents are making me wait until 18 to get a license...

[Curt581]

I'm only trying to because I need to drive from my home to my bus stop and back (over a mile of walking with a 25-lb backpack), and my parents are making me wait until 18 to get a license...

Sucks to be you.

Man up and do it. It's good exercise.