Texas requires 30 hours of supervised driving, including at least 10 hours at night, for drivers under 18. Teens completing an approved driver education course can satisfy the behind-the-wheel portion with as few as 10 hours through that course. Adults 18 and older do not need a learner license at all. Source: Texas DPS.
Texas supervised driving requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Texas |
|---|---|
| Total supervised hours | 30 hours behind the wheel |
| Night hours | 10 hours (of the 30) |
| Daily cap on logged hours | None published by DPS |
| Reduced-hours option | As few as 10 behind-the-wheel hours when completed through an approved driver education course |
| Who may supervise | Licensed driver age 21 or older in the front passenger seat (or the designated parent-taught instructor) |
| Certification method | Parent or guardian signature on a driving log; DPS may require the log at the driving test |
| Official state form | Texas DPS driving log — available through dps.texas.gov and driver education providers |
| Minimum learner license period | 6 months (under 18) |
| Applies to adults 18+ | No — adults may take the driving test without a learner license |
Who may supervise driving practice in Texas
- A licensed driver age 21 or older, seated in the front passenger seat and able to take control of the vehicle.
- The designated parent-taught instructor if the family is using the parent-taught driver education (PTDE) program — a role that has to be approved before instruction starts.
- A licensed driving instructor during commercial driver education behind-the-wheel sessions.
An adult in the back seat does not satisfy the requirement, and neither does a supervisor under 21 — including a sibling who has been driving for years.
What counts as a loggable hour
Any time the learner license holder is actively driving on a public road with a qualified supervisor in the front passenger seat. Texas is a state where the same drives you were taking anyway do most of the work:
- Highway driving counts and is worth doing deliberately — Texas driving tests and Texas roads both assume comfort at speed.
- School and errand runs count. There is no requirement that practice be a dedicated "lesson."
- Night hours count separately. Ten of the thirty must be at night, so tag those drives as they happen.
- Parking lots and private property generally do not count toward the behind-the-wheel requirement.
- Idling, waiting, and parked time do not count. Log driving time, not the length of the outing.
- Hours before the learner license was issued do not count.
Official Texas resources
- Texas DPS — Teen drivers — graduated licensing steps, learner license rules, and the behind-the-wheel requirement.
- dps.texas.gov — search "driving log" for the current DPS log form. Driver education providers also supply their own log sheets, and DPS accepts the completed, signed log at the driving test.
Tracking your hours
Texas expects a signed log, not a specific app. That means the tracking tool is your choice, and the only thing that matters is that the record is accurate and a parent or guardian will put their name on it.
PermitReady is a free iPhone and iPad app that combines Texas permit test practice with a supervised driving hours log. Each drive is one entry — date, duration, and condition tags including night, highway, rain, and heavy traffic — with a running total so you know how close you are to 30 and to your 10 night hours. Entries can be backdated if you started logging late. There is no account, no sign-in, and no internet required.
Honest limits: PermitReady does not detect drives automatically, does not use GPS, is iOS only, and does not generate a signed DPS form. It is the record you copy from when you fill in the log DPS wants. Families who want automatic logging or an Android app should look at the alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
How many supervised driving hours does Texas require?
30 hours behind the wheel, including at least 10 at night, for drivers under 18. Completing an approved driver education course can reduce the logged behind-the-wheel portion to as few as 10 hours.
How many night hours does Texas require?
10 of the 30. Night hours have their own line on the log, and they are the ones families most often run short of in the last month.
Do I need supervised hours if I'm 18 or older in Texas?
No. Adults 18 and older do not need a learner license and can take the driving test directly. Applicants aged 18 to 24 do have to complete the adult driver education course, but the 30-hour supervised log requirement is a teen requirement.
Does Texas accept a digital driving log?
DPS wants a completed log signed by a parent or guardian. Texas does not mandate a particular app, so tracking digitally and transferring the totals to the DPS form is normal. Confirm the accepted format with your DPS office or driver education provider first.
Who can supervise my practice driving in Texas?
A licensed driver 21 or older in the front passenger seat — or your designated parent-taught instructor if you are in the PTDE program.
Can I log hours before I get my learner license?
No. Hours start when the learner license is issued. Texas also requires holding it 6 months before the driving test if you are under 18.
Also for Texas
Texas DPS permit test practice · Supervised driving hours log · Printable log templates · Hours by state
Verification and disclaimers
Requirements verified August 2026 against https://www.dps.texas.gov/section/driver-license/teens. Requirements change — always confirm with the Texas Department of Public Safety before your road test.
PermitReady's driving hours log is a personal tracking tool. It is not a state form and has not been approved or endorsed by any state licensing agency. Check with your state's DMV, RMV, DPS, BMV, or equivalent agency for which log format they require, and use their official state form if one is mandated.
PermitReady is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by the Texas Department of Public Safety or any government agency.