Pennsylvania (PA)

How many practice hours do you need in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, a learner driver must log 65 hours of supervised driving practice—including 10 at night and 5 in poor weather—before applying for a license.

65
Total practice hours
10
Night hours
16
Permit age
16½
License age

Pennsylvania learner permit requirements

  • Minimum permit age: 16
  • Supervised practice required: 65 hours total, 10 at night, 5 in poor weather
  • Permit hold period: 6 months
  • License eligibility age: 16½
  • How hours are certified: 65-hour parent/guardian certification form submitted to PennDOT.

Pennsylvania requires 65 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night and 5 in poor-weather conditions, certified by a parent or guardian.

Requirements change and have exceptions. Always confirm the current rules with the PennDOT before applying.

Pennsylvania's graduated licensing stages

1
Learner's permit · age 16

Drive only with a licensed adult 21+; complete 65 hours of practice (10 night, 5 bad weather).

2
Junior license · age 16½

Issued after 6 months and passing the test; night and passenger limits apply.

3
Full license · age 18 (or earlier with a clean record)

Restrictions removed at 18, or after 12 months crash- and conviction-free.

Driving restrictions for new Pennsylvania drivers

Night driving

With a junior license you can't drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., with exceptions for work, volunteer emergency service, or agricultural duties.

Passengers

For the first 6 months, no more than one passenger under 18 who isn't family; after that, up to three — unless a parent or guardian is in the car.

Phone use

Texting is banned for all drivers in Pennsylvania.

Log every Pennsylvania practice hour automatically

DriveMint tracks each supervised drive with GPS, separates day and night hours, and generates a DMV-ready report—so you can prove all 65 hours without a paper logbook.

Pennsylvania driving practice FAQs

How many driving hours do you need in Pennsylvania?+

Pennsylvania requires 65 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 at night and 5 in poor weather, before applying for a license.

What counts as 'bad weather' hours in Pennsylvania?+

Driving in rain, snow, or other poor visibility conditions counts toward the 5 required inclement-weather hours within the 65-hour total.

Can I get a full license before 18 in Pennsylvania?+

Yes — junior drivers who go 12 consecutive months without a crash or moving violation may upgrade to an unrestricted license before turning 18.

Requirements in other states