I apologize for any confusion, but you ARE NOT allowed to drive the vans if you do not have a license.
No apology necessary, everyone understood which part you were addressing.
Plebes
with state licenses do drive the USMA vans on approved trip sections (Clubs, sports, classroom trips) quite a bit as there has to be a vehicle commander in the front passenger which is assigned by seniority, meaning upperclassman. And other upperclassmen normally want to sleep!
So the actual driving duties usually get rotated around the lowest ranking cadets in the vehicle, normally plebes. (with license)
There is a very specific policy on this, which starts with cadets must obey all state traffic laws, etc. Signed in blood by the OIC. Note this reg does not say they have to be licensed, but the USCC SOP does.
Note that it applies to USMA vans driven off post on USMA trip sections. Same for even cadet leave in rented vans for upperclassmen, the TAC has to sign off on the drivers and vehicle commanders.
The army (not USMA) has completely different regulations involving on-post driving and driving Army owned, leased or rented vehicles on Army business. USMA has to follow Army rules for the garrison aspect.
If you do not have a state license you will be required to obtain an Army driving license (I believe it's called an OF-346). There are also other requirements depending on the vehicle, the most common being training on the basic tactical vehicle level like the HUMVEE.
The Army license supersedes state licenses including even commercial driver's license requirements.
So should you reach the point that you need to drive
on Army business (note emphasis) as an upperclassman, lack of a state license normally would not be a barrier, you would just have to obtain the OF-346. Holder's of state licenses get to skip that step.
But if the
Army wants you to drive, you will follow the AR 600-5, etc, and you'll be driving with or without a state license.
Essentially, they are exempt from state regulation around licensing as they issue their own federal level license. But you still have to follow state traffic regulations. But that won't be a problem, as the Army regulations are even stricter. And more voluminous.
Net-net: don't sweat it if you cannot get your state license this year. But plan on doing what's required on breaks/leave to try to get it when you can.
You will want to get your restricted license, and start any clocks ticking (12 month as restricted, etc) that your state requires.