How many practice hours do you need in Virginia?
In Virginia, a learner driver must log 45 hours of supervised driving practice—including 15 at night—before applying for a license.
Virginia learner permit requirements
- Minimum permit age: 15½
- Supervised practice required: 45 hours total, 15 at night (what counts as night driving)
- Permit hold period: 9 months
- License eligibility age: 16 years 3 months
- How hours are certified: Form DTS-101 — 45-hour driving log (15 at night) signed by a parent or guardian. DriveMint fills in the 45-Hour Driving Log from your logged drives (see every state form).
Virginia requires 45 hours of supervised driving with at least 15 at night, certified on form DTS-101. Applicants under 19 must also complete a state-approved driver-education course.
When can you drive with a permit in Virginia?
Virginia doesn't let learner's permit holders drive between midnight and 4 a.m., even with a parent beside them. From 4 a.m. to midnight you can drive with a licensed driver 21 or older, a parent or guardian, or a brother or sister 18 or older.
With a licensed driver 21+, a parent or guardian, or a sibling 18+ beside you.
Not allowed, even with a supervisor.
Alone. One passenger under 21 (not counting family) for the first year.
Only to or from work or a supervised school, civic, religious, or public activity, with a parent beside you, or in an emergency.
- The 15 night hours have to be driven between sunset and midnight, since the permit doesn't allow driving later.
- Permit holders may carry only one passenger under 21, not counting family or household members, except during a driver ed lesson.
- Both provisional license limits end on your 18th birthday.
In December, sunset in Virginia comes around 5 p.m., so 15 night hours fit in evening drives well before the midnight cutoff.
Checked against Code of Virginia §§ 46.2-335 and 46.2-334.01 in October 2026. Limits after the road test are under restrictions for new drivers.
Requirements change and have exceptions. Always confirm the current rules with the Virginia DMV before applying.
Virginia's graduated licensing stages
Drive with a licensed driver 21+, a parent or guardian, or a sibling 18+, never midnight–4 a.m.; log 45 hours (15 at night) over 9 months.
Issued after 9 months and driver ed; night and passenger limits apply.
Provisional restrictions are removed.
Driving restrictions for new Virginia drivers
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.
Permit and provisional license holders under 18 may carry only one passenger under 21, not counting family or household members. After the first year of the provisional license, up to three are allowed when driving to or from a school-sponsored activity, with a licensed driver 21+ beside them, or in an emergency.
Drivers under 18 may not use any wireless device while driving, even hands-free.
Log every Virginia practice hour automatically
DriveMint tracks each supervised drive, separates day and night hours, and generates a PDF you can print or show at the DMV. Prove all 45 hours without a paper logbook falling apart in the glove box.
New to DriveMint? Watch the one-minute video guides, from setup to a signed log.
Virginia driving practice FAQs
How many driving hours do you need in Virginia?+
Virginia requires 45 hours of supervised driving practice, including 15 hours at night, before a teen can apply for a license.
What time can you drive with a permit in Virginia?+
Learner's permit holders in Virginia may drive from 4 a.m. to midnight, with a licensed driver 21 or older, a parent or legal guardian, or a brother or sister 18 or older in the seat beside them. Between midnight and 4 a.m. the permit doesn't allow driving at all, and the law lists no exceptions. Once you have a provisional license, the midnight–4 a.m. limit lasts until you turn 18 but has exceptions: driving to or from work, to or from an adult-supervised activity sponsored by a school or a civic, religious, or public organization, with a parent or a spouse 18 or older beside you, or in an emergency.
How many night hours does Virginia require?+
15 of the 45 required hours must be at night — one of the highest night proportions in the country.
How long is Virginia's permit hold period?+
9 months minimum, and you must be at least 16 years and 3 months old to get the provisional license.
Requirements in other states
Compare practice hours in all 50 states side by side, or read what actually counts as a night driving hour.