California permit driving hours: 50 hours, 10 at night
California requires 50 hours of supervised practice, with 10 at night. The DMV does not collect a detailed log. Instead, the supervising adult signs to certify the hours at the DMV office.
Free app: times each drive against the 50-hour goal, 10 at night, and fills the logTotal supervised50 hours
At night10 hours
How it is provenParent signs a statement
How to log the hours in California
Nothing itemized is turned in. The supervising adult certifies the 50 hours by signing at the DMV (DL 44), so keep your own log to back that signature up.
A parent or guardian certifies the hours on the application itself. Keeping a log is still the only way to know you are done.
California permit rules at a glance
- Permit holding period
- 6 months
- Who can supervise
- Parent, guardian, or a licensed adult 25 or older
- Professional training
- Under-18 applicants also need driver's ed plus 6 hours of professional behind-the-wheel training, separate from the 50 hours
- Optional log
- The DMV publishes an optional Supervised Driving Log for self-tracking
California permit hours: questions
How many night hours do you need in California?
10 of the 50 supervised hours must be at night.
Do you have to turn in a driving log to the California DMV?
No. The supervising adult signs a certification at the DMV. The DMV's Supervised Driving Log PDF is optional and for your own tracking.
Do the 6 professional training hours count toward the 50 in California?
No. The 6 hours of professional behind-the-wheel training are separate from the 50 supervised hours.