Driving and flying
How long does it take to learn to drive?
Updated
50 to 65 hours of supervised practice before the road test, if you are under 18 in California, New York or Pennsylvania. California asks for 50 with 10 at night, New York 50 with 15 after sunset, and Pennsylvania 65. At three hours a week, 50 hours take about four months.
When you reach the required hours
Supervised practice that drivers under 18 must log before the road test. Requirements differ from state to state, so check yours.
- California and New York
- 50 hours
California: 50 hours, 10 of them at night. New York: 50 hours, 15 of them after sunset.
- Pennsylvania
- 65 hours
65 hours, including 10 at night and 5 in bad weather.
| Requirement | 1 hour a week | 3 hours a week | 5 hours a week | 1 hour a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California and New York (50 hours) | 11 months | 4 months | 2½ months | 7 weeks |
| Pennsylvania (65 hours) | 15 months | 5 months | 3 months | 2 months |
Track your practice drives
Add Driving to 10k with sub-activities such as Day, Night and Bad weather, and time each drive. Your totals show how close you are to each requirement. Your state’s own log form is still the one to sign and hand in.
Questions and answers
How many hours of practice do I need before my road test?
It depends on your state. California and New York ask drivers under 18 for 50 hours of supervised practice, and Pennsylvania for 65.
Can I count my practice hours in 10k?
Yes. Time each drive, and split night and bad-weather driving into sub-activities to see each total. Hand in your state’s own signed log form.
How long do I have to hold a learner’s permit?
In California and New York, drivers under 18 must hold the permit for at least six months before the road test.
Sources
Related pages
- How long does it take to get a pilot license?
40 hours minimum, about 75 on average.
- Manual time entries
Add sessions you forgot to time, and fix the start or end of any session.