Your date first licensed is the day you received your first unrestricted license, not the day you received a permit or probationary license.
Question: What does age first licensed mean?
Answer: If a car insurance company asks for your date first licensed or age first licensed, they want to know the day you received your first unrestricted driver’s license. It is not the day that you passed your written test or road test, entered driver training or got your learner’s permit or probationary license.
While you can legally drive with a learner’s permit, there are restrictions on your driving (like having a family member in the car) because you are still in an official learning period. Additionally, even after you complete your driver education course or pass your knowledge test and driving test, there may be a waiting period before you get your official license from the driver licensing office.
Why does it matter when you got your license?
Insurance companies use this information to learn more about your driving experience as a fully licensed driver.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, teen drivers are more likely to get into an accident and will therefore always see higher auto insurance rates than other drivers. This is due in part to a lack of driving experience, which can cause young drivers to make more mistakes on the road.
How to find your date first licensed
If you still have your original driver’s license, you can check the issue date for your date first licensed.
If you don’t have your old license anymore, however, you can contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). They’ll be able to provide you with more information about your driving experience. This can be done over the phone but, in some states, you may be able to go online to access your driving history.
As you gain driving experience, compare quotes from different insurers to see if you qualify for better rates or additional discounts.
