Photo: Formulanone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Arizona requires a teen applying for a Class G license to have a parent or guardian certify 30 hours of supervised driving, at least 10 of them at night, unless the teen completes an approved driver education program. This checklist is for Arizona parents and teens planning those hours and choosing between the options.
The three ways to meet Arizona’s practice requirement
| Option | Supervised hours certified by parent | Of which at night |
|---|---|---|
| A. Approved driver education program (ADOT-approved; public high school programs approved with the Department of Education) | None required by law | None |
| B. Driver education from a certified defensive driving school (approved by the Arizona Supreme Court) or a traffic survival school | 20 | 6 |
| C. No driver education | 30 | 10 |
Only a custodial parent or guardian can certify the hours, in writing, to MVD. Option A can also waive the road test: see Arizona road test and third party testing.
Who can supervise an Arizona permit driver?
- A licensed driver holding a Class A, B, C or D license
- Aged 21 or older
- Sitting in the seat beside you
The supervisor does not have to be a parent. Hours with a grandparent or older sibling who meets those rules count, but only your parent or guardian signs the certification.
A simple 30-hour plan (option C)
Spread the hours across your 6-month permit period. Roughly 5 hours a month gets you there with no rush.
- Hours 1 to 5: empty parking lots and quiet streets. Controls, smooth stops, turns.
- Hours 6 to 12: residential and business streets at 25 mph. Stop signs, signals, right of way, pedestrians.
- Hours 13 to 20: busier roads, lane changes, left turns across traffic, curb parking.
- Hours 21 to 30: freeways, rain if you get it, and full road test practice routes.
Fit the 10 night hours in throughout, not all at the end. Night is when inexperience shows most. Freeway tips: freeway driving for new drivers.
What to record for each drive
Arizona asks for a written certification of the total, not a set log format. Keeping a log makes the certification honest and easy. Record:
- date
- start and end time
- day or night
- road types (residential, business, highway, freeway)
- conditions (rain, dust, heavy traffic)
- supervisor’s name and initials
- skills practiced and anything to work on
Arizona-specific practice to include
- Monsoon season. Talk through what to do if dust appears ahead: Arizona dust storm driving and Pull Aside, Stay Alive.
- Summer heat. If your road test is after noon in June, July or August, the test car needs working A/C.
- No phone. Permit holders may not use a wireless device while driving except in an emergency. Set up navigation before you leave.
Common questions
Does driver’s ed replace the 30 hours in Arizona?
An ADOT-approved driver education program does. Driver education from a defensive driving school or traffic survival school still needs 20 certified hours, 6 at night.
Can a 20-year-old supervise me?
No. The supervisor must be at least 21 and licensed.
What counts as night?
The statute does not define it. Count driving after sunset and before sunrise to be safe.
Do the hours apply if I am 18?
No. The certification is part of the Class G requirements for applicants under 18.
Can driving school lessons count toward the 30 hours?
The law asks for “supervised driving practice” certified by a parent. Ask MVD if you plan to mix lessons into option C.
Related guides
- Learning to drive in Arizona: the full guide
- Arizona Class G graduated license rules
- Arizona MVD permit test guide
- Supervised driving hours by state
Sources
- Arizona State Legislature, “A.R.S. 28-3174 Class G driver licenses; restrictions” (azleg.gov)
- Arizona State Legislature, “A.R.S. 28-3154 Instruction permit for a class D or G license” (azleg.gov)
- Arizona Department of Transportation MVD, “Permit and License Requirements” (azdot.gov)
- Arizona Department of Transportation MVD, “Road Tests” (azdot.gov)