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License to Drive

  • 1988
  • PG-13
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
24K
YOUR RATING
Corey Feldman, Corey Haim, and Heather Graham in License to Drive (1988)
Home Video Trailer from Anchor Bay Entertainment
Play trailer2:24
1 Video
99+ Photos
Teen ComedyComedy

A teen decides to go for a night on the town with his friends despite flunking his driver's test.A teen decides to go for a night on the town with his friends despite flunking his driver's test.A teen decides to go for a night on the town with his friends despite flunking his driver's test.

  • Director
    • Greg Beeman
  • Writer
    • Neil Tolkin
  • Stars
    • Corey Haim
    • Corey Feldman
    • Carol Kane
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    24K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Greg Beeman
    • Writer
      • Neil Tolkin
    • Stars
      • Corey Haim
      • Corey Feldman
      • Carol Kane
    • 89User reviews
    • 39Critic reviews
    • 36Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    License To Drive
    Trailer 2:24
    License To Drive

    Photos117

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    + 113
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    Top cast46

    Edit
    Corey Haim
    Corey Haim
    • Les Anderson
    Corey Feldman
    Corey Feldman
    • Dean
    Carol Kane
    Carol Kane
    • Mrs. Anderson
    Richard Masur
    Richard Masur
    • Mr. Anderson
    Heather Graham
    Heather Graham
    • Mercedes Lane
    Michael Manasseri
    Michael Manasseri
    • Charles
    Harvey Miller
    • The Professor
    Michael A. Nickles
    Michael A. Nickles
    • Paolo
    • (as M.A. Nickles)
    Nina Siemaszko
    Nina Siemaszko
    • Natalie Anderson
    Grant Goodeve
    Grant Goodeve
    • Natalie's DMV Examiner
    James Avery
    James Avery
    • Les' DMV Examiner
    Grant Heslov
    Grant Heslov
    • Karl
    Michael Ensign
    Michael Ensign
    • School Teacher…
    Helen Hanft
    Helen Hanft
    • Miss Hellberg
    Christopher Burton
    • Rudy
    Jill Jaress
    Jill Jaress
    • Dean's Mom
    Kimberly Hope
    • Dean's Sister
    Parley Baer
    Parley Baer
    • Grandpa Anderson
    • Director
      • Greg Beeman
    • Writer
      • Neil Tolkin
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews89

    6.323.6K
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    Featured reviews

    6vertigo_14

    An innocent girl. A harmless drive. What could possibly go wrong?

    Feast your eyes one of the last films that both Corey's will appear in that are of any merit for the rest of their brief careers. And this can be considered something of merit, despite the nature of the film, since they were only teen stars.

    License to Drive is a movie about taking chances, though you can probably figure out from beginning to end how the movie is going to go. No less, it's good 80s fun. Les Anderson (Haim) has turned 16 and is desperate to get his driver's license. Over-confident, it is no surprise that he flunks the exam. But he figures no one would notice. So, he lies to his folks and friends about the whole thing, expecting everything will be smooth sailing until he can retake the exam.

    But Les is wrong once again when his parents learned that he lied, serving up a harsh two week grounded term. But Les doens't know when to quit while he's ahead, and decides he's not going to let this little matter inconvenience him. After all, he has a Friday night date with his dream girl Mercedes Lane (Heather Graham). Hence the line, "an innocent girl, a harmless drive, what could possibly go wrong?" Everything. It all has to do with Les borrowing his grandfather's antique (and very off limits) Caddillac, a drunk date, and two friends looking for their newly licensed friend to show them a wild night. Sure it's predictable, but it's just a simple 80s comedy.
    7Aaron1375

    "You can drive in reverse, son?" "All is forgiven"!!!

    This was a rather funny movie featuring Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, showing that these two for a short span really had something going coming off the very cool vampire movie "The Lost Boys". This movie is just about your average teen trying to pass his driving test and getting his license along with his ultra bright and nerdy twin sister. He also gets to go out on a date with a very attractive lady as well named Mercedes (played by Heather Grahme). Well for some reason he does not do so well on the computer quiz portion of the driving test, but thanks to some luck the test results are wiped out and he is given the chance to take the driving portion of the test. Which of course is highly unlikely no matter how well his sister scored. Well he somehow manages to pass the driving portion despite having a driving instructor from hell while his sister gets the guy everyone should want during this part. In the end though they find his score and no license. Well through a series of strange events he gets his grampa's car and takes the hot girl out as she proceeds to get drunk and pass out. He then picks up his friends as they try to get to this cool hangout. Lets just say a lot of stuff happens and that car takes some hits. I especially found the drunk guy funny. In the end I found the end a bit much, but then most comedies I find have a weak spot in their armor. However, this was a rather funny comedy that passes the test.
    7indescreetman

    Get out of my Dreams, Get Into My Car! Oh yeah! 80's bliss...

    License To Drive was one of those 80's flicks that I had always wanted to see, and yet, never could find a copy. Till now! It was playing on TV recently and I have not only watched it, but am waiting to see if I am fortunate to find the DVD so I can buy it.

    Quite simply, if you are a fan of the 80's and/or love your nostalgia then this film is for you! Typical 80's groove, lingo, starring leads (introducing a young and very attractive Heather Graham in her screen debut as the delicious Mercedes Lane) and, something that definitely deserves a mention is the soundtrack! Great tunes that suit the mood perfectly. Billy Ocean's "Get Outta My Dreams, Get Into My Car" was a highlight and with the title "License to Drive" was the ultimate song. There are others by Belinda Carlise and the Breakfast Club that will have you not only reminiscing, but toe tapping and humming as well.

    Also, look out for James Avery as Les' DMV Instructor. What a champion! Anyway everyone, Get Outta Your Seats... Get it into your DVD player...

    Have fun, Cheers!
    Chiron1987

    Fun and Lightweight...Just what a teenage comedy needs to be!

    License to Drive is one of those few movies to come on at three in the morning on a Friday night that will always capture my attention. It is a fun comedy, and one of the last of its genre at the near end of the decadent 80s.

    One-time teen sensations, Corey Haim and Corey Feldmen, hot off Joel Schumacher's teen vampire opus The Lost Boys, star as a pair of friends who spend one wild night in Haim's character, Les Anderson's grandfather's 16-year old prize Cadillac. Well, naturally, hilarity ensues, as does every driving disaster known to man.

    Great performances abound, especially our two starring Coreys, but also look for stand-out turns by Richard Masur and Carol Kane as the hapless parents of Les. Also keep your eyes opened for a young Heather Graham, who plays the aptly named Mercedes, and the object of young Les' affection.

    All in all, an enjoyable, breezy comedy.

    Highly recommended.
    8roisinodonoghue

    A fun movie!

    I freaking love this movie!Its hilarious!The bit with the drunk just kills me every time.This is an absolute classic,one of the best 80s movies.Haim is SO funny in this(RIP)!and so is Feldman.I laugh so hard every single time I watch it, it just never gets old!Carol Kane does a great job as the pregnant mother and Richard Masur is brilliant.This is a timeless film, I showed it to my friends and they loved it!I may turn them into Corey fans!Heather Graham does a good job in this too, she was quite funny and I like the dress she wears at the party.If you have not seen this movie yet, then rent it,order it,it is well worth it!Id recommend it to Corey fans and comedy lovers.8/10

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Neither Corey Feldman nor Corey Haim had a driver's license when filming started.
    • Goofs
      The license plate on the caddy changes from "GRANDPA" to "GRANPA" in various scenes.
    • Quotes

      Dean: Natalie! I was wondering, if you were driving 55 miles per hour and you collided with a runaway train, would it make ANY improvement on your face?

    • Alternate versions
      To receive a PG certificate, 7 seconds were cut from the original UK video version with the removal of the line "You mustn't fuck with the Department of Motor Vehicles." The line was reinstated for the 2012 UK DVD, which is rated 12.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Arthur 2: On the Rocks/Short Circuit 2/Coming to America/A Handful of Dust/License to Drive (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Drive My Car
      Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney

      Produced By Stephen Bray and Michael Verdick

      Performed by The Breakfast Club

      Courtesy of MCA Records

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    FAQ19

    • How long is License to Drive?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 6, 1988 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sin permiso para manejar
    • Filming locations
      • Johnie's Broiler - 7447 Firestone Blvd., Downey, California, USA(Archies Atomic)
    • Production companies
      • Twentieth Century Fox
      • Davis Entertainment
      • Licht/Mueller Film Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $8,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $22,433,275
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,850,934
      • Jul 10, 1988
    • Gross worldwide
      • $22,433,275
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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