Supervised practice & the driving log

Permit holders under 16 must log 50 hours of supervised driving in varied conditions, on top of driver's ed. The handbook's coaching tips show how to make those hours count, and they're good habits for any driver.

50 hours

Minimum supervised driving for permit holders under 16, in addition to driver's education

Handbook p. 49 ↗

The 50 hours must include each of:

Driving in rural areas
Driving in urban areas
Driving on gravel, dirt, or aggregate surface roads
Night driving
Driving in winter conditions

Handbook p. 49 ↗

Practice plan:

Who: only you and your teen in the vehicle; others and pets add distraction and stress
What: start with turning, parking and backing up; then lane changes and merging
When: begin in daylight and good weather; gradually add roads, weather and times of day
Where: start in empty lots or remote roads, then quiet streets, then busier roads and highways

Handbook p. 45 ↗

Do these each time you practice:

Practice when both of you are ready, in good moods, have enough time, and are well rested
Adjust mirrors, seat belts, seats and steering wheel before starting the vehicle
Always wear seat belts, and use headlights day and night
Stop completely at stop signs and for right turns at red lights
When pulling away from a stop, look left, then straight ahead, then right

Handbook p. 45 ↗

6–8 seconds

How often to check your mirrors around and behind the vehicle

Handbook p. 45 ↗

3–4 seconds

Space to keep between you and other vehicles in the traffic flow

Handbook p. 46 ↗

Know the rule

Try to stay centered in your lane of travel.

Handbook p. 46 ↗

Know the rule

Teens show the greatest improvement in their first 1,000 to 5,000 miles of driving, so keep practicing even after the license.

Handbook p. 45 ↗

Put it into practice

Your mom has logged 45 of your 50 hours, all in town on summer afternoons. You're not done: the log must also include rural areas, gravel or dirt roads, night driving and winter conditions.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

How often should drivers check their mirrors to stay aware of surroundings, per the parent coaching tips?

Every 6-8 seconds
Every 30 seconds
Once per minute
Only when changing lanes

Answer: Every 6-8 seconds

Drivers should use their mirrors to check around and behind the vehicle every 6-8 seconds.

Handbook p. 45 ↗

What is the recommended following distance range for new teen drivers in normal traffic flow?

1-2 seconds
10 seconds
5-6 seconds
3-4 seconds

Answer: 3-4 seconds

Teens are advised to keep at least a 3-4 second space between their vehicle and others in traffic flow.

Handbook p. 46 ↗

What should parents do before starting supervised practice driving sessions, regarding mood and timing?

Practice when both are rested and in the mood
Only practice when the teen requests it
Practice only right after school with no break
Practice late at night when roads are empty

Answer: Practice when both are rested and in the mood

Practice when both of you are ready, in good moods, have sufficient time, and are well rested.

Handbook p. 45 ↗

Which condition must be part of an under-16 permit holder's 50 hours of supervised driving?

Driving on a multi-lane Interstate at 80 mph
Driving in a different state
Driving on gravel, dirt, or aggregate roads
Driving with at least two passengers

Answer: Driving on gravel, dirt, or aggregate roads

The 50 hours must include rural, urban, gravel/dirt/aggregate roads, night driving, and winter conditions.

Handbook p. 49 ↗

The 50 hours must include each of:

Practice plan:

Do these each time you practice:

Check your understanding

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