The Texas DPS Driving Log form is a crucial document designed to track the behind-the-wheel instruction hours required for young drivers. This log helps ensure that a teenager completes the necessary 20 hours of supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night, before applying for a provisional license. To get started on this important step in your teen's driving journey, fill out the form by clicking the button below.
The Texas DPS Driving Log form is a vital tool for young drivers as they prepare for their provisional license. This form documents the completion of 20 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, which must be conducted under the supervision of a qualified adult. Each practice session is structured to cover essential driving skills, including getting ready to drive, steering, turning, and navigating city and freeway environments. Importantly, only one hour of practice per day counts towards the total, ensuring that young drivers gain consistent experience over time. The log requires details such as the student's name, driver's license number, and specific practice session dates and times. It also includes sections for the adult supervisor to sign, confirming that the student has met the required hours, including at least 10 hours of nighttime driving. When the young driver is ready to apply for a provisional license, this log, along with other necessary documents like the DE-964 driver education completion certificate, must be presented to the Department of Public Safety. Proper documentation and practice are essential steps in ensuring that new drivers are well-prepared for the responsibilities of driving.
BEHIND THE WHEEL INSTRUCTION LOG 20 HOURS
Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Guide may be downloaded or printed from www.tea.state.tx.us/drive
The 20 hours of behind-the-wheel practice must be completed in the presence of an adult who meets the requirements of Section 521.222 (d)(2), Transportation Code before the young driver is eligible for a provisional license. Only one (1) hour of behind-the- wheel instruction per day will count towards the 20 hours regardless of the number of hours the student actually drives in a day.
Student’s Name: ________________________________________________________ DL #: ______________________________
Practice Session
Date
Time
Daytime
Nighttime
Adult’s Signature and DL #
mm/dd/yyyy
(am/pm)
Hours
Getting Ready, Starting,
Placing the Vehicle in
Motion, and Stopping
Recommended 1 hour
Moving, Stopping,
Steering, Knowing Where
You Are
Recommended 2 hour
Backing
Turning, Lane Position,
and Visual Skills
Recommended 2 hours
Searching Intended
Path of Travel
Parking
Turnabouts
Multiple Lane Roadways
Recommended 3 hours
City Driving
Expressway/Freeway
Driving
I certify and endorse that the above record is true and correct and my student has completed 20 hours of guided practice which includes at least 10 at nighttime.
____________________________________________________________
_______________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature (if over 18 years of age student’s signature)
When your teenager is eligible for the provisional license take this log, the DE-964 driver education completion certificate and with the other required documents to the Department of Public Safety. Required documents: (1) Valid Learner’s License (Instruction Permit), (2) Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form, (3) DE 964 from school which provided the driver education course, (3) 20 Hours Behind-the-Wheel Practice Log, (4) The vehicle used for the Road Test must be able to pass an inspection where everything works properly, have a valid inspection sticker, valid registration sticker, and current insurance, (5) Money to pay for license
Texas Education Agency/Texas Department of Public Safety Parent Guide 20 Hours
Getting Ready, Starting, Placing the Vehicle in Motion, and Stopping (p. 14) Recommended 1 hour -- These practice sessions introduce your teenager to the instrument panel, vehicle controls, and mirror blind spots. The young driver should get ready to drive, start the vehicle, place the vehicle in motion, stop, and secure the vehicle. Please review the vehicle owner’s manual before and during these practice sessions.
Moving, Stopping, Steering, Knowing Where You Are (p. 15) Recommended 2 hours -- Focus on learning the correct procedures for moving, stopping, using reference points, and steering the vehicle at different speeds. Begin in a large, level parking lot that is free of obstacles. The teenager should practice driving around the perimeter of the lot at 10 and 15 mph. Using commentary driving, have your teenager focus on smooth push-pull-slide hand-to-hand steering and stops. Your teenager should be taught to ease off the accelerator or use the brake to reduce speed before entering a curve and use slight acceleration to overcome inertia and pull the vehicle out of the curve. Ask the teenager to move the vehicle to specified targets in the parking lot at 10 and 15 mph. The target is a fixed object that is located 12-20 seconds ahead of the vehicle, in the center of the path of travel, and is what the driver steers toward. It can be a car a block ahead, a traffic signal, the crest of a hill, etc. Having a target helps the new driver to: visualize the space the vehicle will be occupying; look far ahead of the vehicle and begin a search to identify risks; improve steering accuracy. Focus on smooth acceleration, proper speed, and smooth stops. Explain to your teenager that “curling” the toes back to ease pressure off the brake just before stopping results in smoother stops. Practice normal smooth stops and hard smooth stops which are done at a slightly higher speed.
Backing (p. 16) Recommended 1 hour -- Repeat the tasks listed in sessions Moving, Stopping, Steering, Knowing Where You Are with the vehicle in reverse gear at idle or slow speeds. Backing from one target to another allows your teenager to practice seeing, steering, and speed control skills with the vehicle in reverse gear.
Turning, Lane Position, and Visual Skills (p. 16) Recommended 2 hours -- During the next practice sessions practice 10-15 right and left turns from stopped and moving positions in a parking lot. Left turns should be “squared” and right turns should be “rounded.” Emphasize proper signals, mirror checks, side- position reference points, speed and steering control, and the need to look ahead of the vehicle at a selected target in the center of the path of travel. Warn young drivers not to fixate on any one thing. Prior to progressing to driving in a quiet neighborhood, your teenager should be able to demonstrate the ability to move and stop the car smoothly, maintain a given speed, and steer with reasonable precision. If your teenager is ready, practice right and left turns in a residential area.
Searching Intended Path of Travel (p. 18) Recommended 2 hours -- In a residential area, or, if ready, on roads with light traffic, continue working on basic visual skills, negotiating curves, and right and left turns. Practice judging space in seconds, identifying a target, and searching the target area and target path. Ask your teenager to comment prior to changing speed or position. Young drivers have the tendency to monitor the road immediately in front of the vehicle.
Parking (p. 19) Recommended 1 hour -- Angle Parking, Perpendicular Parking, Parallel Parking, Curb Parking, Parking Uphill, Parking Downhill
Turnabouts (p. 21) Recommended 2 hours -- Focus on recognizing the different types of turnabouts and selecting the appropriate type of turnabout for a given situation. Begin in a large, level parking lot free of obstacles. Practice 2-point, 3-point, and U-turns in a parking lot. Progress to a lightly traveled residential area, and practice visual search skills, turns, and each turnabout at least 10 times. The easiest and safest way to change directions is to drive around the block.
Multiple Lane Roadways (p. 22) Recommended 3 hours -- Focus on lane position, lane changing, following distance, and mirror blind spots. If possible, choose a time when the four-lane roadway on which you select to practice has minimal traffic, such as during early morning hours on Saturday or Sunday. There are several lane position choices a driver can make without changing lanes. Practice driving in lane position 1, 2, and 3 for several miles during each session.
City Driving (p. 24) Recommended 3 hours -- Focus on driving on crowded urban roadways. During these practice sessions have your teenager examine the importance of scanning ahead, lane position, covering the brake, and the hazards associated with parked cars, traffic congestion, and distractions. Decision- making is the most important skill used in driving. A driver operating in city traffic flow makes 50-60 decisions per mile. Drivers need visibility, space, time, and adequate traction to perform all maneuvers in city traffic whether crossing, turning, passing, or adjusting speed and/or position. During these sessions ask your teenager to focus on controlling space to the front and speed to enhance visibility, space, time, and traction. Driving on congested roadways allows a very small margin for driver error. Effective searching skills and driver alertness are both essential. Every second counts in this driving environment.
Expressway/Freeway Driving (p. 25) Recommended 3 hours -- Focus on complex risk driving environments at speeds up to 70 mph. Traffic flow on expressways can be heavy and at times unpredictable. They are called limited access highways because there are only certain locations, called interchanges, where a driver can enter and exit the expressway. Expressways have a low frequency of collisions, but often have high injury severity rates when a collision does occur because of the higher speeds. Review the expressway information in the Texas Driver Handbook. Make sure your teenager understands the different kinds of expressway interchanges, expressway signs, signals, lane markings, speed limits, and the importance of maintaining a 20-30 second visual lead.
Completing the Texas DPS Driving Log form is essential for tracking your teenager's behind-the-wheel practice hours. This log will be required when applying for a provisional license. Ensure all sections are filled out accurately to avoid delays in the licensing process.
Once the log is complete, gather the required documents for the provisional license application. This includes the DE-964 driver education completion certificate and verification of enrollment. Ensure the vehicle used for the road test meets all safety and legal requirements.
What is the Texas DPS Driving Log Form?
The Texas DPS Driving Log Form is a document that records the behind-the-wheel practice hours a young driver completes under the supervision of an eligible adult. This log is essential for teenagers seeking a provisional driver's license in Texas. It ensures that they have met the required 20 hours of driving practice, including at least 10 hours of nighttime driving.
Who can supervise the driving practice?
The supervising adult must meet specific requirements outlined in Section 521.222 (d)(2) of the Texas Transportation Code. Generally, this means that the adult must hold a valid Texas driver's license and be at least 21 years old. This requirement ensures that the young driver is guided by someone with sufficient experience and knowledge of safe driving practices.
How should the driving hours be logged?
Each practice session should be recorded in the log, including the date, time, and duration of the driving session. It's important to note that only one hour of behind-the-wheel instruction per day will count towards the total of 20 hours, regardless of how long the student drives that day. This structure encourages consistent practice without overwhelming the learner.
What types of driving practice are recommended?
The log outlines various recommended practice sessions, each with specific time allocations. For example:
These sessions cover essential skills such as steering, turning, and parking, which are crucial for developing a safe and competent driver.
What documents are needed to obtain a provisional license?
When the young driver is ready to apply for a provisional license, several documents must be presented at the Department of Public Safety (DPS). These include:
Having all these documents ready can streamline the process and reduce potential delays.
What happens if the driving log is not completed correctly?
Failing to complete the driving log accurately can lead to complications when applying for a provisional license. If the log does not reflect the required 20 hours of practice or if it is missing signatures, the application may be denied. It is crucial for both the student and the supervising adult to ensure that all information is filled out correctly and completely to avoid any issues.
Filling out the Texas DPS Driving Log form is a crucial step for young drivers working towards obtaining their provisional license. However, many people make common mistakes that can delay the process. One frequent error is failing to provide complete information. It is essential to fill in all required fields, such as the student’s name and driver’s license number, to ensure the log is valid.
Another mistake is not adhering to the daily hour limit. Only one hour of behind-the-wheel instruction counts per day, regardless of how many hours the student drives. Ignoring this rule can lead to discrepancies in the total hours logged, which may affect the student’s eligibility for a provisional license.
Many individuals also overlook the importance of adult supervision. The driving log requires that practice sessions be conducted in the presence of an adult who meets specific legal requirements. Failing to ensure that the supervising adult qualifies can result in complications during the application process.
Inaccurate recording of practice session details is another common issue. It is vital to log the exact date, time, and hours spent driving accurately. Mistakes in these entries can raise questions about the authenticity of the log, potentially jeopardizing the student’s application.
Additionally, some people forget to obtain the necessary signatures. The adult supervising the practice sessions must sign the log, confirming the hours completed. Without this signature, the log may be considered incomplete, hindering the application for a provisional license.
Another common error involves not including nighttime driving hours. The log requires that at least 10 of the 20 hours be completed during nighttime driving. Failing to meet this requirement can result in the log being rejected, delaying the licensing process.
Lastly, neglecting to review the required documents before submission can lead to significant setbacks. Along with the driving log, applicants must provide additional documents, such as the DE-964 driver education completion certificate. Ensuring that all paperwork is in order can streamline the process and prevent unnecessary delays.
The Texas DPS Driving Log form is an essential document for young drivers in Texas, tracking their behind-the-wheel practice hours. However, several other documents accompany this form, each serving a specific purpose in the licensing process. Understanding these additional forms can help ensure a smoother experience when applying for a provisional license.
Gathering these documents alongside the Texas DPS Driving Log is crucial for a successful application for a provisional license. Each form plays a vital role in ensuring that young drivers are well-prepared and compliant with state regulations, ultimately contributing to safer roads for everyone.
The Texas DPS Driving Log form serves as an important document for tracking a young driver's behind-the-wheel practice. Several other documents share similarities with this log, primarily in their purpose of documenting driving experience and ensuring compliance with training requirements. Below are five such documents:
Each of these documents plays a vital role in ensuring that young drivers receive the necessary training and support as they work toward becoming safe, responsible motorists.
When filling out the Texas DPS Driving Log form, keep these tips in mind:
Avoid these common mistakes:
Misconceptions about the Texas DPS Driving Log form can lead to confusion for parents and young drivers. Below are some common misunderstandings along with clarifications:
Here are some key takeaways for filling out and using the Texas DPS Driving Log form: