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New York Permit Hours: How Many You Need and How to Track Them

New York teens need 50 hours behind the wheel with a supervisor before they can get a license. 15 of those hours must be after dark.

Requirements at a glance

RequirementDetails
Total supervised hours50
Night hours15
Minimum permit age16
Permit hold period6 months
Supervisor minimum age21
Driver education requiredNo

Night driving rules

New York’s night definition is sunset or 9 PM, whichever is later, until 5 AM. So in summer when the sun sets after 9 PM, sunset time is what counts. In winter when it gets dark by 5 PM, the 9 PM cutoff applies instead.

What your supervisor needs to know

Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s license. They need to sit in the front passenger seat and be ready to take over at any time.

Good to know

Night restriction is sunset or 9 PM, whichever is later, until 5 AM.

Tracking your hours

You could track your hours on paper. But you won’t. Moda logs every session automatically and breaks it down by day, night so you’re never guessing how many hours you have left.

How many supervised driving hours does New York require?

New York requires 50 total supervised driving hours, with 15 of those at night.

What counts as night driving in New York?

Night driving in New York is defined as sunset or 9 pm, whichever is later, to 5 am. You’ll need 15 hours of night driving.

How long do I need to hold my permit in New York?

You’ll need to hold your learner’s permit for at least 6 months before you can apply for your license.


Track your permit hours the easy way.