Alabama (AL)

How many practice hours do you need in Alabama?

In Alabama, a learner driver must log 50 hours of supervised driving practice—including 10 at night—before applying for a license.

50
Total practice hours
10
Night hours
15
Permit age
16
License age

Alabama learner permit requirements

  • Minimum permit age: 15
  • Supervised practice required: 50 hours total, 10 at night
  • Permit hold period: 6 months
  • License eligibility age: 16
  • How hours are certified: 50-hour certification signed by a parent, guardian, or licensed adult 21+.

Alabama requires 50 hours of supervised driving with at least 10 at night before the Stage II restricted license. The supervising driver must be a licensed parent, guardian, or adult 21 or older.

Requirements change and have exceptions. Always confirm the current rules with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) before applying.

Alabama's graduated licensing stages

1
Stage I — Learner's permit · age 15

Drive only with a licensed adult 21+; log 50 hours of practice (10 at night).

2
Stage II — Restricted license · age 16

Issued after 6 months with the permit; night and passenger limits apply.

3
Stage III — Unrestricted license · age 17

Restrictions lift at 17 after 6 months of Stage II driving.

Driving restrictions for new Alabama drivers

Night driving

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.

Passengers

Stage II drivers may carry no more than one non-family passenger besides the supervising licensed adult.

Phone use

Drivers under 18 who have held an intermediate license fewer than six months may not use a handheld device while driving.

Log every Alabama practice hour automatically

DriveMint tracks each supervised drive with GPS, separates day and night hours, and generates a DMV-ready report—so you can prove all 50 hours without a paper logbook.

Alabama driving practice FAQs

How many driving hours do you need in Alabama?+

Alabama requires 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night, before a teen can apply for a license.

How many hours do you need to drive in Alabama?+

50 hours of supervised practice, including at least 10 at night, certified by a parent, guardian, or licensed adult 21 or older.

When can an Alabama teen get an unrestricted license?+

At 17, after holding the Stage II restricted license for at least six months without a disqualifying violation.

Requirements in other states

Compare practice hours in all 50 states side by side, or read what actually counts as a night driving hour.