Final answer:
To obtain a driver's license with a Driver's Education certificate, a person must typically be at least 15 or 16 years old for a provisional license, with full licensure usually at 18. Legal discrimination, like age-based restrictions for driving, is permissible under the equal protection clause if it serves a legitimate governmental interest.
Step-by-step explanation:
The age requirement to obtain a driver's license with a Driver's Education (D.E.) certificate varies by state in the United States. Typically, you must be at least 15 or 16 years old to get a provisional license after completing Driver's Education.
However, to obtain a full, unrestricted driver's license, you are often required to be at least 18 years old. The process of obtaining a license includes passing a written knowledge test, a vision test, and a road skills test.
The D.E. certificate usually indicates that you have completed a driver's education course, which is a requirement for young drivers in many states before they are eligible to take the driving tests.
Legal discrimination by the government, such as setting a minimum age for certain privileges, is considered a form of age-based restrictions. These laws are put in place for various reasons, such as public safety, health, and ensuring that individuals are of a certain maturity level before engaging in specific activities.
The equal protection clause is interpreted to allow reasonable classifications by law as long as they serve a legitimate governmental interest. Thus, states have the discretion to set age limits for activities like driving, smoking, and drinking alcohol.