Is it necessary to get a learner's permit before you get a driver's license?

1) Check with your state. Info on this is undoubtedly online. But I suspect you'll need a learner's permit everywhere in the US.
2) Driving lessons will get you the practice you need with someone in the car with you, but of course you'll have to pay for that.
3) If you're having problems coming up with the $$ for driving lessons, then consider how you're going to pay for auto insurance.

I'll call my nearest DMV office and ask if it's necessary to get another learner's permit.

Call around and see what various driving instruction outfits cost, as well.

I can just look up info about driving instruction costs online.

Not to mention buying a car in the first place.

I'm amazed that Mr Goldman is still alive.

He dosn't seem to have the qualities necessary to live independently.

How OLD do you think I am?

I think you stopped growing intellectually when you were about thirteen.

Sorry but that's the impression I get.

I think biologically you're in your mid 40s.

Btw, most adults 25+ would not need to ask the questions you do, and for a lot of us it's much younger than that.

You ask the sort of questions people already know the answers to by the time they reach adulthood.

I'm not trying to be rude, and I don't mean to offend but I have to give an honest, detailed answer to your question.

I'm in my late 40's.

Which in itself is quite an achievement.

Are you trying to be funny? I lived a sheltered existence and lived around relatives most of my life.

Most adults would know where to go to find answers if they did not know something themselves.

This thread is a case in point. You needed to be told to ask your state's driving agency.

Most people wouldn't need to ask that.

Looking at an electrical item, most people would check it out on line to find out the specifics, not ask the person selling the item if it took batteries, and would have bought the necessary batteries before the item arrived.

You don't do any of that.

Having such a sheltered upbringing doesn't seem to have helped you become a fully functioning adult.

Have you considered the cost of a vehicle, its insurance and all the other necessary documentation ( over here cars need road tax and an MOT certificate if over a certain age,) let alone running costs?

You trying to insult me or whatever you call yourself doing is not helping me. I bless you and forgive you.

I'm not trying to insult you, I'm explaining why I've come to certain conclusions.

I'm sorry I can't be of more practical help, but I only know how to drive on the left hand side of the road.

Okay... and you can probably find an online 'chat' person to ask that question of, right? Or the information might be on their website. They are more uptodate on current requirements than we likely are. Izzy lives in the UK and I am in Canada, for example, so we would have no idea of the rules where you live. I think it's best to go to the source when there is one, and driving schools or your local motor vehicle licensing place are the sources for this question.

Good luck, JGoldman10. Driving is fun, but I also consider it a life-saving skill. My daughter flunked her test three times but she's a very good driver now.

As to your initial question - if your permit has/had an expiry date you will have to renew it/get another one. You cannot drive anywhere in NA without a legal license or legal learner's permit.

I don't know everything, and I'm not ashamed to ask for help if I need it. As I said, I should have learned how to drive a long time ago but I didn't because I had a repressed phobia of driving.

Why do you want to learn how to drive now?

Because normal adults drive.