California supervised driving hours, and whether the log is turned in
California requires 50 hours of practice driving, at least 10 of them at night, with a California-licensed driver who is at least 25 years old. That is an under-18 requirement only: the California Department of Motor Vehicles imposes no supervised hours and no minimum permit holding period on applicants aged 18 and over. For under-18s the 50 hours sit alongside 6 hours of professional behind-the-wheel training, a driver education course and a permit that must be held at least six months before the drive test, so the hours are one component of a sequence rather than a standalone box. Checked in September 2026.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600), getting an instruction permit and driver's license, checked September 9, 2026.
What does California DMV not publish on this?
Whether the log is handed to DMV or certified by signature is not stated in the sources checked on September 9, 2026, so this page states the hours and the supervisor rule and leaves the collection mechanism alone.
Other questions about California
- How many questions can you miss on the California permit test?
- What happens if you fail the permit test in California?
- What to bring for the California permit test if you are under 18
- What to bring for the California permit test if you are 18 or over
- Can you take the permit test online in California?
Ready to practice for the California test?
Written by Vikas. Checked against the source above on September 9, 2026. California DMV does not run this site and does not endorse it.