Behind-the-Wheel Training in Alabama

Driver's Training in Alabama

If you're a teenager applying for a new driver's license, you will need to either complete behind-the-wheel driving practice OR professional driver's training to satisfy the requirements of the Alabama Department of Public Safety (DPS).

The supervised driving practice you'll receive during either of these behind-the-wheel training options will help you develop important safe driving skills and better prepare you for your DMV road test.

On this page you'll find information about your driving training requirements and the next steps towards your first driver's license.

Alabama Behind-the-Wheel Requirements

If you are younger than 18 years old, you'll need to complete one of the following Alabama behind-the-wheel requirements before advancing from your learner's permit to provisional driver's license:

  • 50 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving practice with a licensed adult.
    OR
  • An Alabama Department of Education-approved Driver's Ed course, which includes a behind-the-wheel driver's training component.

NOTE: You can only begin supervised behind-the-wheel practice if you hold a learner's permit. You can enroll in a Driver's Ed course without a learner's permit.

For more information about applying for a learner's permit and enrolling in driver's education, please visit our pages on those topics.

Driver's Training Course

Professional driver's training in Alabama is a component of AL Driver's Ed courses and is provided by:

  • Private high schools.
  • Public high schools.
  • Professional driver's training schools.

The driver's training component of your driver's education course will generally begin after you complete the classroom sessions.

Alabama driver's training during your Driver's Ed course will allow you to directly apply the safe driving techniques you learned in the classroom to your in-car practice. Your professional driving instructor will be able to give you tips and better prepare you for your supervised driving practice with your parent.

After you complete both components of the program, your driving instructor should give you a completion certificate.

Alabama Behind-the-Wheel Driving Practice

If you do not complete an approved Driver's Ed/driver's training course, you must complete behind-the-wheel driving practice under the supervision of a licensed adult.

When you are at least 15 years old, you can apply for your learner's permit and begin driving with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old.

You will need to complete a minimum of 50 hours of supervised, behind-the-wheel driving practice before advancing to your Alabama provisional driver's license.

After you complete your supervised practice, your parent/legal guardian will need to complete the Behind the Wheel Verification section of the Graduated Driver License Form (Form DL-31).

After Driver's Training - Provisional License

You will be eligible to schedule your road test and obtain your restricted Alabama driver's license once you:

  • Are at least 16 years old.
  • Have held your AL learner's permit for at least 6 months.
    AND
  • Have completed:
    • Driver's Ed.
      OR
    • The required Alabama behind-the-wheel driving practice hours.

Once you meet the requirements above, contact the Alabama DPS to schedule your road test.

For more information, please visit our Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in Alabama page.

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Forms

DL-31
Graduated Driver License
Complete and submit this form to verify a child in your care has fulfilled the AL DLD's graduated driver's license requirements.
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