This depends heavily on where you live, but there's a general legal principle that applies in most places: many traffic laws that apply on public roads also apply to parking lots and other areas "held open to the public," even though a parking lot is technically private property.
Learner's permits specifically: A learner's permit typically allows you to drive only under certain restrictions — usually requiring a licensed adult supervisor in the vehicle, sometimes with additional limits on time of day, passengers, or highway driving. Whether those restrictions apply in a parking lot depends on how your local motor vehicle laws define the area:
- In many U.S. states, parking lots that are open to public traffic (like those at shopping centers, grocery stores, or apartment complexes) are legally treated the same as public roads for purposes of licensing requirements, insurance, and traffic enforcement. This means permit restrictions (such as needing a supervising driver) would still apply.
- Private lots that are closed to the public (e.g., a fenced lot, a private driveway, or an empty lot with no public access) are often exempt from state licensing requirements, meaning someone could legally practice driving there without a permit or supervisor — though this varies significantly by jurisdiction, and some places have no such exemption at all.
- Even where permit rules don't technically apply, you could still face liability for property damage, injury, or trespassing if something goes wrong.
Practical takeaway: Don't assume a "no permit needed" rule for parking lots. Because enforcement and statutory definitions vary by state, province, or country — and even by city ordinance in some cases — the safest approach is to check your specific state/provincial DMV or transportation authority website, or ask a local driving instructor, before driving in any lot without your permit and proper supervision. If in doubt, treat parking lots the same as any public road.