Last Updated 22nd of February, 2010

What is the drivers education requirement for teens?

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Although they vary by state, the drivers education requirements for teens aren’t that different across the country. Sure, there’s a small handful of states that don’t require any kind of formal drivers ed or outside training time, but most states require an applicant to take drivers education, log behind-the-wheel practice hours with a licensed adult, attend an additional (or, in some cases, alternative) class, or any combination of those before obtaining a full drivers license.

After you check your state’s requirements, be sure to consult your driver handbook, your state’s Web site, or someone at your local driver licensing agency for details. Find out exactly when you need to take drivers ed or log practice hours (for example, do you need to do either of these before you can even obtain a permit?) and state-approved drivers education courses (for example, can you take driver ed online or does it have to be in a classroom?).

Drivers Ed Log Hours Additional/Alternative Course
Alabama
x
x
You can substitute drivers ed with 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice.
Alaska
x
Log 40 hours.
Arizona
x
x
You can substitute drivers ed with 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice.
Arkansas
California
x
x
Log 50 hours.
Colorado
x
x
Log 50 hours.
Connecticut
x
x
x
Log 40 hours; you might have to take an 8-hour safety course.
Delaware
x
x
Log 50 hours.
Florida
x
x
x
Log 50 hours; you might be able to substitute the drivers ed class in school with the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Course.
Georgia
x
x
Log 50 hours.
Hawaii
x
Idaho
x
x
Log 50 hours.
Illinois
x
x
Log 50 hours.
Indiana
x
Iowa
x
x
Log 20 hours.
Kansas
x
x
Log 50 hours.
Kentucky
x
x
Log 60 hours.
Louisiana
x
Maine
x
x
Log 35 hours.
Maryland
x
x
Log 60 hours.
Massachusetts
x
x
Log 30/40 hours, depending on training.
Michigan
x
x
Log 50 hours.
Minnesota
x
Mississippi
x
Missouri
x
Log 40 hours.
Montana
x
Log 50 hours.
Nebraska
x
Log 50 hours.
Nevada
x
x
Log 50 hours.
New Hampshire
x
x
Log 40 hours.
New Jersey
New Mexico
x
x
x
Log 50 hours; if you’re a teen who’s 18 or 19 you must also take the home-study DWI-awareness program “None for the Road.”
New York
x
x
x
Log 20 hours; can substitute drivers ed course with 5-hour pre-licensing course.
North Carolina
x
North Dakota
x
Ohio
x
x
Log 50 hours.
Oklahoma
x
x
Log 50 hours; 55 if you’re doing the Parent-Taught Driver Education Program.
Oregon
x
x
Log 50 hours.
Pennsylvania
x
Log 50 hours.
Rhode Island
x
South Carolina
x
x
Log 40 hours.
South Dakota
Tennessee
x
Log 50 hours.
Texas
x
Utah
x
x
Log 40 hours.
Vermont
x
x
Log 40 hours.
Virginia
x
x
Log 45 hours.
Washington
x
x
Log 50 hours.
West Virginia
x
Log 50 hours.
Wisconsin
x
x
Log 30 hours.
Wyoming
x
x
Log 50 hours.
Washington DC
x
Log 40 hours for provisional license; additional 10 hours at night for full license.

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