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Alabama Permit Hours: Requirements, Night Rules, and Tracking
Before you can trade your learner’s permit for a license in Alabama, you need 50 documented hours behind the wheel. 10 at night, 40 during the day. Here’s how the requirements break down and how to get through them without losing your mind.
Alabama permit requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Total supervised hours | 50 |
| Daytime hours | 40 |
| Night hours | 10 |
| Minimum permit age | 15 |
| Minimum hold period | 6 months |
| Supervisor minimum age | 21 |
| Driver education required | No |
Night driving rules in Alabama
In Alabama, night driving counts from sunset to sunrise. The hours shift with the seasons. In December, sunset might be as early as 4:30 PM. In June, it could be past 8:30 PM. That seasonal swing matters — winter is actually the easier time to knock out night hours because darkness comes early.
Plan to start your evening sessions about 30 minutes before sunset. That way you get comfortable in fading light before it goes fully dark. 10 hours sounds like a lot, but at 1-2 sessions per week you’ll be done within a couple months.
Supervisor requirements
Your supervising driver must be at least 21 and hold a valid license. Supervisor must be parent, guardian, grandparent, or driving instructor.
They need to sit in the front passenger seat, stay alert, and be ready to grab the wheel if needed. No scrolling, no napping, no backseat supervising. If you get pulled over and your supervisor doesn’t meet the requirements, that session might not count — and you could both get a citation.
How to plan your 50 hours
You have a 6-month hold period in Alabama. If you spread your hours evenly, that’s about 2 hours a week. Totally doable.
Here’s what a realistic schedule looks like:
| Timeline | Sessions per week | Session length | Total time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Relaxed (25 weeks) | 2 | 1 hour | ~25 weeks |
| Moderate (13 weeks) | 3-4 | 1 hour | ~13 weeks |
| Aggressive (9 weeks) | 5-6 | 1 hour | ~9 weeks |
Most families land somewhere in the moderate range. The key is consistency. Two sessions a week for six months beats cramming 10 hours into a single weekend. You learn more, retain more, and your supervisor won’t burn out.
Night hours are 20% of your total. Don’t save them all for the end. Mix in one evening session per week from the start and you’ll have them done well before the rest of your hours.
How Alabama compares to other states
Alabama’s 50-hour requirement puts it right around the middle of the pack. The most common requirement across all states is 50 hours (30 states use it).
Neighboring comparison: North Carolina requires 60 hours — 10 more than Alabama. California requires the same 50 hours.
See all state requirements for a complete comparison.
Tracking your driving hours
Tracking 50 hours on paper works right up until you lose the sheet. Or forget to log a session. Or can’t read your own handwriting. Moda logs every drive automatically, breaks it down by day, night, and shows you exactly how far you’ve come. When it’s time for the DMV, export your log in the format Alabama requires.
Use the countdown to see when you’ll be eligible for your license.
How many supervised driving hours does Alabama require?
Alabama requires 50 total supervised driving hours. 10 must be at night and 40 during the day.
What counts as night driving in Alabama?
Night driving in Alabama is defined as sunset to sunrise (varies by season and location). You need 10 hours of night driving to qualify for your license.
How long do I need to hold my permit in Alabama?
You must hold your learner’s permit for at least 6 months in Alabama before you can take your road test.
How old do you have to be to get a learner’s permit in Alabama?
You can apply for a learner’s permit in Alabama at age 15.
Who can supervise a permit driver in Alabama?
Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old with a valid license. Supervisor must be parent, guardian, grandparent, or driving instructor.
Does Alabama accept a digital driving log?
Most DMV offices accept printed driving logs. Moda generates a PDF in Alabama’s required format that you can print and bring to your road test appointment.
How long does it take to finish 50 driving hours?
At 2-3 sessions per week, most families finish in 17 to 25 weeks. Some move faster with daily sessions, but spreading practice out leads to better skill retention.
Calculate your remaining hours
Enter the hours you've already completed to see what's left.