Night driving hours for a permit
Most states require 10 hours of night driving practice as part of the total supervised requirement — 35 of the 50 states use that exact number. A few require 15. Night hours count inside the total, not on top of it.
What is considered night driving?
This is the part that confuses most families, and states genuinely disagree. There are two definitions in use:
The most common definition. The window shifts through the year, so a 7 p.m. drive counts as night in December but not in June. Idaho and North Dakota write this directly into their restriction rules.
Some states define night as a set window — often one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise, or a plain range like 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. This is easier to log but can mean genuinely dark driving doesn't count in midwinter.
If your state's log form doesn't define the term, sunset-to-sunrise is the safe assumption — and logging a little extra never hurts. North Carolina's handbook uses sunset: see NC night driving hours. What does not count anywhere: driving at dusk before the sun is down, sitting parked with the engine running, or riding as a passenger.
Night hours required by state
Tap a state for its full rules, including the log form the DMV expects.
| State | Night hours | Practice hours | Permit age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | None set | 50 | 15 |
| Alaska | None set | 40 | 14 |
| Arizona | 10 | 30 | 15½ |
| Arkansas | None set | None set | 14 |
| California | 10 | 50 | 15½ |
| Colorado | 10 | 50 | 15 |
| Connecticut | None set | 40 | 16 |
| Delaware | 10 | 50 | 16 |
| Florida | 10 | 50 | 15 |
| Georgia | 6 | 40 | 15 |
| Hawaii | None set | None set | 15½ |
| Idaho | 10 | 50 | 14½ |
| Illinois | 10 | 50 | 15 |
| Indiana | 10 | 50 | 15 (with driver ed) |
| Iowa | 2 | 20 | 14 |
| Kansas | 10 | 50 | 14 |
| Kentucky | 10 | 60 | 15 |
| Louisiana | 15 | 50 | 15 |
| Maine | 10 | 70 | 15 |
| Maryland | 10 | 60 | 15 years 9 months |
| Massachusetts | None set | 40 | 16 |
| Michigan | 10 | 50 | 14 years 9 months |
| Minnesota | 15 | 50 | 15 |
| Mississippi | None set | None set | 15 |
| Missouri | 10 | 40 | 15 |
| Montana | 10 | 50 | 14½ |
| Nebraska | 10 | 50 | 15 |
| Nevada | 10 | 50 | 15½ |
| New Hampshire | 10 | 40 | 15 years 9 months |
| New Jersey | 10 | 50 | 16 |
| New Mexico | 10 | 50 | 15 |
| New York | 15 | 50 | 16 |
| North Carolina | 10 | 60 | 15 |
| North Dakota | None set | 50 | 14 |
| Ohio | 10 | 50 | 15½ |
| Oklahoma | 10 | 50 | 15 |
| Oregon | None set | 100 | 15 |
| Pennsylvania | 10 | 65 | 16 |
| Rhode Island | 10 | 50 | 16 |
| South Carolina | 10 | 40 | 15 |
| South Dakota | 10 | 50 | 14 |
| Tennessee | 10 | 50 | 15 |
| Texas | 10 | 30 | 15 |
| Utah | 10 | 40 | 15 |
| Vermont | 10 | 40 | 15 |
| Virginia | 15 | 45 | 15½ |
| Washington | 10 | 50 | 15 |
| West Virginia | 10 | 50 | 15 |
| Wisconsin | 10 | 50 | 15½ |
| Wyoming | 10 | 50 | 15 |
Dimmed rows are states that set no separate night-hour minimum. Night practice is still strongly recommended there — Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oregon all impose nighttime restrictions once a teen is licensed, so the first unsupervised night drive shouldn't be the first night drive.
States requiring the most night hours
4 states require 15 hours at night rather than the usual 10:
- Louisiana — 15 night hours of 50 total
- Minnesota — 15 night hours of 50 total
- New York — 15 night hours of 50 total
- Virginia — 15 night hours of 45 total
When can't a young driver drive at night?
Practicing at night with a supervisor is how you earn the required hours. The strict curfews kick in after licensing, during the intermediate or provisional stage. Here's what applies in each state:
| State | Nighttime restriction after licensing |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Stage II drivers can't drive between midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian, or driving to or from work, school, church, or a medical emergency. |
| Alaska | Provisional license holders can't drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ or driving for work. |
| Arizona | For the first 6 months of the graduated license, you can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless traveling to or from work, school, or a family emergency. |
| Arkansas | Intermediate license holders can't drive between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed adult 21+, or driving to or from work, school, or church. |
| California | For the first 12 months, you can't drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless a licensed parent or guardian, a licensed driver 25 or older, or a driving instructor is with you. A signed note covers medical, school, work or family necessity. |
| Colorado | For the first 12 months, you can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless a licensed adult 21+ is with you, or you're driving for work, school, or a medical emergency. |
| Connecticut | Permit holders have no curfew. License holders who are 16 or 17 can't drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. until they turn 18, except for work, school, or religious activities, a medical necessity, or as a volunteer firefighter or EMT responding to an emergency. |
| Delaware | During the first 6 months of Level 1 you may only drive between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. with a licensed adult 25+. Class D license holders under 18 can't drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. |
| Florida | At 16 you can't drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.; at 17 the restricted window is 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. — unless you're with a licensed driver 21+ or driving to or from work. |
| Georgia | With a Class D provisional license you can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m. There are no exceptions, not even with an adult in the car. |
| Hawaii | Provisional license holders can't drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed adult 21+, or driving to or from work or a school activity. |
| Idaho | Drivers under 16 can't drive between sunset and sunrise unless accompanied by a licensed adult 21+. |
| Illinois | Drivers under 18 can't drive Sunday–Thursday from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. or Friday–Saturday from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., unless a parent or guardian is with them, or they're driving straight to or from work, a parent's errand, or an adult-supervised school, religious or recreational activity, or in an emergency. |
| Indiana | For the first 180 days, probationary drivers under 21 can't drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. Every driver under 18, permit holders included, can't drive after 11 p.m. Sunday–Thursday or between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Both limits allow driving for work, a school-sanctioned activity, or a religious event, or with a licensed driver 25+ (or a spouse 21+) in the front seat. |
| Iowa | Intermediate license holders can't drive between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a qualified supervising driver. |
| Kansas | Restricted license holders may drive only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., plus to and from work, school, or religious activities. |
| Kentucky | Permit and intermediate license holders under 18 can't drive between midnight and 6 a.m. unless they can show good cause, such as an emergency or a school- or work-related activity. The law lists no exception for driving with an adult. |
| Louisiana | Intermediate license holders can't drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed adult 21+. |
| Maine | Intermediate license holders can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver 20+, or driving for work, school, or an emergency. |
| Maryland | Provisional license holders under 18 can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless they're with a licensed driver 21+, or driving to or from work, a school class or official school activity, an organized volunteer program, or an athletic event or training. |
| Massachusetts | Junior operators can't drive between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. |
| Michigan | At Level 2 you can't drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless a parent or guardian, or a licensed adult 21+ they designate, is with you, or you're driving for work or to or from an authorized activity such as school or an organized sport. |
| Minnesota | For the first 6 months, provisional drivers can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless they're with a licensed driver 25+, driving between home and work, driving between home and a school event the school isn't providing transportation for, or driving for their job. |
| Mississippi | Intermediate license holders can't drive after 10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday or after 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, unless accompanied by a licensed adult 21+. |
| Missouri | Intermediate license holders can't drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed adult 21+, or driving to or from work, school, or an emergency. |
| Montana | First-year restricted license holders can't drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed adult 18+. |
| Nebraska | Provisional operator's permit holders can't drive between midnight and 6 a.m. unless driving to or from work or a school activity. |
| Nevada | For the first 6 months, drivers under 18 can't drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless traveling to or from a scheduled event such as work or school. |
| New Hampshire | Youth operator license holders under 18 can't drive between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. |
| New Jersey | Probationary drivers under 21 can't drive between 11:01 p.m. and 5 a.m. The only waivers are for a serious emergency, or for work or religious activities verified in writing. |
| New Mexico | Instruction permits have no time limit. Provisional license holders can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless a licensed driver 21+ is with them, they carry a signed statement for work, school, a religious activity, or a family or medical necessity, or it's a medical emergency. |
| New York | Upstate (including Westchester), a junior license holder can't drive 9 p.m.–5 a.m. unless supervised by a parent, guardian or driving instructor, or driving directly between home and work or a school course. Long Island is stricter, and junior license holders can't drive in New York City at all. |
| North Carolina | At Level 2 (Limited Provisional) you may drive unsupervised only between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m.; outside those hours a supervising driver must be present, unless you're driving directly to or from work or a volunteer fire, rescue or EMS activity. |
| North Dakota | Instruction permit holders have no time limit. Restricted license holders can't drive from 9 p.m. or sunset, whichever is later, until 5 a.m., unless a parent, guardian, or someone 18+ is in the front seat, or they're driving directly to or from work, an official school activity, or a religious activity. |
| Ohio | At 16 you can't drive between midnight and 6 a.m.; at 17 the window is 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. — unless a parent or guardian is with you or you're driving to or from work, school, or worship. |
| Oklahoma | Intermediate license holders can't drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed adult 21+, or driving to or from work or school. |
| Oregon | For the first year, provisional drivers under 18 can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless they're driving between home and work or a school event with no other transportation, driving for their job, or with a licensed driver 25+. |
| Pennsylvania | 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. |
| Rhode Island | For the first year, limited provisional license holders can't drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed adult 21+. |
| South Carolina | Conditional and special restricted license holders may drive alone only from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight saving time). Until midnight a licensed driver 21+ must be with them, and from midnight to 6 a.m. a licensed parent, guardian or other qualified adult. |
| South Dakota | Restricted minor's permit holders can't drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed adult 18+, or driving to or from work or school. |
| Tennessee | Learner permit holders under 18 can't drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., even with a supervisor. Intermediate restricted license holders can't drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless a parent or guardian, or a licensed driver 21+ the parent has designated in writing, is with them; they're driving to or from work or a school-sponsored activity with a parent's written permission; or they're driving to or from hunting or fishing between 4 and 6 a.m. with a valid license. |
| Texas | Until 18, a provisional license holder can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless it's for work, a school-related activity or a medical emergency, or a licensed adult 21+ with a year of experience sits beside them. |
| Utah | Drivers under 17, permit holders included, can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless a licensed driver 21+ is in the seat beside them, or they're driving to or from work, straight home after a school-sponsored activity with school-provided transportation, on a farm or ranch assignment, or in an emergency. |
| Vermont | Vermont does not set a specific nighttime curfew for junior operators, but the passenger restriction applies at all hours. |
| Virginia | Learner's permit holders can't drive between midnight and 4 a.m. at all, even with a supervisor. Provisional license holders under 18 can't drive between midnight and 4 a.m. unless driving to or from work or an adult-supervised activity sponsored by a school or a civic, religious, or public organization, with a parent (or a spouse 18+) beside them, or in an emergency. |
| Washington | Intermediate license holders can't drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless a licensed driver 25+ is with them, or they're driving for school, religious, or work activities (their own or an immediate family member's). The limit lasts until 18 but lifts after 12 months with no crashes, tickets, or restriction violations. Instruction permits have no time limit. |
| West Virginia | Level 1 permit holders can drive only between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., even with a supervisor. Level 2 intermediate license holders can't drive between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless a licensed driver 21+ is with them, or they're driving to or from work, a school-sanctioned activity, a religious event, or an emergency. |
| Wisconsin | Probationary license holders can't drive between midnight and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a qualified adult, or driving to or from work or school. |
| Wyoming | Intermediate permit holders can't drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed adult 18+, or driving to or from work, school, or an emergency. |
Night hours count themselves
DriveMint uses your location and the actual sunset time to split each drive into day and night automatically — no guessing where the line falls, and no arguing about it at the DMV counter.
Night driving FAQs
How many hours of supervised driving practice are required at night?+
Most states require 10 hours of night driving practice as part of the total supervised requirement — 35 of the 50 states use that exact figure. Louisiana, Minnesota, New York, and Virginia require 15, the highest in the country. Iowa requires just 2. Night hours count inside the total, not on top of it: a state requiring 50 hours with 10 at night means 10 of those 50.
What is considered night driving hours for a permit?+
It depends on the state, and the two definitions are meaningfully different. Most states count night as beginning at sunset and ending at sunrise, which shifts through the year. Others use fixed clock times — commonly one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise, or a set window like 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Check your state's log form: if it doesn't define the term, sunset-to-sunrise is the safe assumption.
Do night hours count toward the total practice hours?+
Yes. Night hours are a subset of the total, not an additional requirement. If your state requires 50 hours including 10 at night, you need 50 hours total, of which at least 10 must be after dark — not 60.
Can you drive at night with a learner permit?+
Usually yes, as long as your supervising driver is in the car — that's how you accumulate the required night hours in the first place. Some states restrict even supervised night driving for the first few months: Florida limits new permit holders to daylight only for the first 3 months, and Delaware restricts Level 1 driving to 6 a.m.–10 p.m. The strict curfews normally apply after you're licensed, at the intermediate or provisional stage.
What time can't you drive with a provisional license?+
The most common curfew is midnight to 5 a.m., but it ranges from 9 p.m. (North Carolina) to 1 a.m. (Alaska, Maine, Rhode Island, Washington). Most states allow exceptions for driving to or from work, school, or a religious activity, and nearly all allow it with a qualified adult in the car. See the table below for your state.
Why do states require night driving practice?+
Crash risk for new drivers is roughly three times higher after dark. Reduced visibility, headlight glare, harder depth and speed judgment, and a higher share of impaired drivers on the road all compound. The night-hours requirement exists so a teen's first hours of night driving happen with an experienced adult beside them rather than alone.
Nighttime rules have exceptions for work, school, and religious activities in most states, and they change. Always confirm with your state's licensing agency before relying on them.