DMV Behind the wheel

Behind-the-Wheel Practice in Your State

If you're a teenager applying for a new driver's license through your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Transportation (DOT), Secretary of State (SOS), Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA), Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), or Department of Public Safety (DPS), you'll likely need to complete supervised behind-the-wheel training as part of your licensing requirements.

While driver's training is a more common requirement for young drivers, many states require some form of behind-the-wheel supervision for new drivers of all ages.

Whether your supervised behind-the-wheel training is a component of your state's graduated driver's licensing (GDL) program or standard licensing process, practicing driving with a driving instructor or a licensed adult will help you develop the skills and experience necessary to ace your driving test and get on the road with your first unrestricted driver's license.

Driver's Training

In some states, professional driver's training with a licensed driving instructor is included in the state's Driver's Ed curriculum.

After the classroom component of the driver's education program, some courses provide sessions of in-car instruction, which often include both behind-the-wheel practice AND observation.

Behind-the-Wheel Training

Behind-the-wheel training with a licensed parent, legal guardian or qualified adult is often an additional piece of your supervised driver's training requirements.

Generally, you can begin practicing your supervised driving after you've completed Driver's Ed and obtained your learner's permit.

Behind-the-wheel driving practice with a licensed adult usually involves:

• Completing a minimum number of supervised driving hours.
• Completing some of your driving practice at night.
• Keeping a log of your behind-the-wheel practice.
• Submitting a certification form signed by your parent/legal guardian.

Completing Driver's Training in Your State

Choose your state below to learn about the behind-the-wheel requirements you'll need to complete to get your driver's license through your state's DMV, DOT, SOS, MVA, MVD, or DPS.