Supervised practice and driver education in Utah

By the end of this topic you can

• You can describe the three parts of an approved Utah driver education course.
• You can plan 40 hours of practice, including 10 after sunset.
• You can name who is allowed to supervise you.
• You can explain the options for first-time drivers aged 19 or older.

What you need to know and understand

• Driver education classroom time is 27 hours in high school, 18 hours at a commercial school or 30 hours through Utah-approved online or home study.
• Every course includes 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.
• Six hours of observation in the training car may also be required by the school.
• Applicants aged 15 to 18 must also drive at least 40 hours with a parent or legal guardian, 10 of them after sunset.
• First-time drivers aged 19 or older can hold a permit for 90 days and log 40 hours (10 after sunset), or take driver education instead.
• Out-of-state online or home study driver education certificates are not accepted in Utah.
• You need your learner permit before driving with an instructor or supervisor.

Choosing a driver education course

High school courses are approved by the State Board of Education. Private and commercial driving schools are approved by the Driver License Division. Your school district may let you take the classroom part at school, through home study or electronic high school, and the behind-the-wheel part with a private provider.

If you started driver education in another state, the certificate must meet Utah's hours and you complete form DLD200. You can make up missing hours at an approved Utah school.

Building your 40 hours

1. Start in quiet residential streets until starting, stopping and steering are smooth.
2. Move to busier roads with traffic signals, lane changes and left turns.
3. Add freeway driving, including merging from on-ramps and using exits early.
4. Log at least 10 hours after sunset, spread across several trips.
5. Practice parking on hills, parallel parking, backing and turnarounds, which are scored on the skills test.
6. Include rain, snow or canyon roads with your supervisor when conditions are safe.

Who can sit beside you

Under 18, your supervisor must be a licensed parent, stepparent, foster parent or legal guardian, an approved driving instructor, or the licensed adult who signed for your permit. A licensed adult aged 21 or older may supervise only when your parent or guardian is not licensed and has given written permission. The 40 hours themselves must be driven with a parent or legal guardian, so keep a dated log they can confirm. A deeper guide to the 40-hour log and driver education checklist is available on this site.

Common mistakes

• Counting driver education lesson time toward the 40 parent hours. They are separate requirements.
• Leaving all night driving until the last week. Spread the 10 after-sunset hours out.
• Enrolling in an out-of-state online course. Utah does not accept them.
• Practicing only the same route. Vary roads, weather and times so you meet new situations.

Test yourself: Supervised practice and driver education in Utah

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Utah 40-Hour Driving Log and Driver Education Checklist
• Utah Permit Practice Test
• How to Get a Driver License in Utah