Eligibility requirements:
An applicant for a student pilot certificate must:
1. Read, write, speak and understand English, (if not, refer to AC 60-28);
2. Be at least 16 years of age for airplane, gyroplane, airship, weight-shift control, or powered parachute (14 years of age for balloons and gliders);
Medical Eligibility:
An applicant for student pilot certificate for sport pilot —
Must hold either a medical certificate or U.S. driver's license -- A person must hold and possess either a valid medical certificate issued under part 67 or a current and valid U.S. driver's license when exercising the privileges of a student pilot certificate while seeking sport pilot privileges in a light-sport aircraft other than a glider or balloon.
PROCEDURES. A student pilot certificate can be issued by a designated aviation medical examiner as part of a medical certificate. However, an aviation safety inspector (ASI) and designated pilot examiner (DPE) can issue student pilot certificates with no medical.