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California Permit Hours: How Many You Need and How to Track Them
California requires 50 total supervised driving hours, including 10 at night.
Requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total supervised hours | 50 |
| Night hours | 10 |
| Minimum permit age | 15½ |
| Permit hold period | 6 months |
| Supervisor minimum age | 25 |
| Driver education required | Yes |
Night driving rules
California defines night as sunset to sunrise. That means the exact hours shift throughout the year. In winter, you might start logging night hours as early as 5 PM. In summer, you could be waiting until 8:30 or later. Check your local sunset time before heading out if you need night hours.
What your supervisor needs to know
Your supervising driver must be at least 25 years old and have a valid driver’s license. That’s higher than most states, so make sure whoever rides with you meets the age requirement. They need to sit in the front passenger seat and be ready to take over at any time.
Driver education
You can’t skip driver’s ed in California. The state requires a certified course that covers road rules, hazard awareness, and hands-on driving with an instructor. Supervisor must be 25+ with valid license. Driver education enrollment required.
Tracking your hours
You could track your hours on paper. But you won’t. Moda logs every session automatically and breaks it down by day, night so you’re never guessing how many hours you have left.
How many supervised driving hours does California require?
California requires 50 total supervised driving hours, with 10 of those at night.
What counts as night driving in California?
Night driving in California is defined as sunset to sunrise (varies by season and location). You’ll need 10 hours of night driving.
How long do I need to hold my permit in California?
You’ll need to hold your learner’s permit for at least 6 months before you can apply for your license.