With high school behind him, Andy Hardy (Mickey Rooney) decides that as an adult, it's time to start living his life on his own.

Judge Hardy (Lewis Stone) recommends that his son would go to college and study law, but Andy isn't sure that's what he wants to do so he heads off to New York City to find a job.

With high spirits and a new car, he drives to New York City with his childhood friend Betsy Booth (Judy Garland).

She eventually runs out of fuel, and Andy does not land the job due to a family member acquiring it before him.

After facing these several lessons of life, Andy concludes that he may still have some growing up to do and gets a job at the car repair shop in his hometown, knowing he is knowledgeable about them.