Texas Behind-the-Wheel Practice Log
Texas's Graduated Driver License (GDL) program requires supervised driving practice during the Learner License phase before a teen can take the driving exam for the Provisional License. The DPS doesn't audit your practice log directly — but your driver-education provider does, and many require parent/instructor signatures on a structured log of supervised hours. This page is a free printable log template you can use.
What DL-7 Says About the Learner License (Chapter 1)
DL-7 Chapter 1 lays out the Learner License rules:
- Hold the Learner License for at least 6 months before applying for the Provisional License
- Drive only when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years of age, with at least 1 year of driving experience
- The accompanying driver must be in the front passenger seat, "and cannot be intoxicated, asleep, or engaging in any activity that prevents observation and response to the actions of the driver"
- The minor applicant and cosigner must acknowledge receipt of information that provides information about distracted driving
Behind-the-Wheel Phase
DL-7 Chapter 1 says the driver-ed course "includes both the classroom and behind the wheel phases." The behind-the-wheel hours total is set by TDLR / your driver-ed provider — confirm the exact number for your course at dps.texas.gov.
Common practice items to log during supervised practice:
- Residential street driving (low-speed, school-zone-style)
- Multi-lane city street driving
- Highway driving (when permitted by your program)
- Parallel parking
- Backing into a parking space
- Three-point turns
- Hill parking with proper wheel position (DL-7 Chapter 7)
- Driving in different weather (rain, fog if safe to practice)
- Night driving (with proper headlight use per DL-7 Chapter 9)
Free Printable Practice Log Template
Print the table below and fill in each row as you complete a supervised drive. Both the student and the supervising driver should sign each row.
| Date | Start Time | End Time | Hours | Conditions (day / night / rain / etc.) | Skills Practiced | Supervisor (printed) | Supervisor Signature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ____ / ____ / ____ | ______ | ______ | ______ | __________________ | __________________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ____ / ____ / ____ | ______ | ______ | ______ | __________________ | __________________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ____ / ____ / ____ | ______ | ______ | ______ | __________________ | __________________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ____ / ____ / ____ | ______ | ______ | ______ | __________________ | __________________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ____ / ____ / ____ | ______ | ______ | ______ | __________________ | __________________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ____ / ____ / ____ | ______ | ______ | ______ | __________________ | __________________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ____ / ____ / ____ | ______ | ______ | ______ | __________________ | __________________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ____ / ____ / ____ | ______ | ______ | ______ | __________________ | __________________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ____ / ____ / ____ | ______ | ______ | ______ | __________________ | __________________ | ______________ | ______________ |
| ____ / ____ / ____ | ______ | ______ | ______ | __________________ | __________________ | ______________ | ______________ |
Total Cumulative Hours: ___________
(Add to a running total in your driver-ed binder. Check the program-specific requirement at dps.texas.gov / your provider.)
Tips for Effective Supervised Practice
- Practice daytime first, then night. Per DL-7 Chapter 9 use headlights 30 min after sunset and ending 30 min before sunrise.
- Practice the 2/4-second following rule (DL-7 Chapter 8) until it becomes automatic. The drive examiner watches for it.
- Practice the 100-foot signal rule (DL-7 Chapter 6) — count one-mississippi, two-mississippi as you signal.
- Practice parallel parking until you can land within 18 inches of the curb (DL-7 Chapter 7).
- Practice hill parking with proper wheel position (DL-7 Chapter 7's "Parking on Hills" diagram).
- Practice your blind-spot check — turn your head, don't just glance at the mirror. The driving examiner grades for this.
What to Do When You're Ready
Once your provider signs off on the behind-the-wheel hours and your Learner License has been held at least 6 months (DL-7 Chapter 1):
- Schedule a driving exam appointment per dps.texas.gov
- Complete the Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) course (DL-7 Chapter 1: "All driver license applicants must complete the Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) course... prior to taking the driving exam")
- Bring your printed certificates, vehicle, registration, insurance proof, and your Learner License
- Take the driving exam at a Driver License Office or TPST third-party site