Blog /
How Many Driving Hours Do You Need in Tennessee?
Before you can trade your learner’s permit for a license in Tennessee, 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.
Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Tennessee uses fixed hours for the night driving window: 10 PM to 6 AM. No need to look up sunset times. Any driving during that window counts toward your 10 night hours.
This makes planning straightforward. Pick two weeknights a week, drive for 45 minutes to an hour during the window, and you’ll knock out your 10 night hours in about 7 weeks.
Supervisor requirements
Your supervising driver must be at least 21 and hold a valid license.
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.
Curfew restrictions
Permit holders in Tennessee can’t drive between 10 PM and 6 AM. This is enforced. Getting caught driving during restricted hours with a learner’s permit can mean a ticket and could push back your license date.
Plan your night driving sessions to end well before the curfew kicks in. You don’t want to be rushing home right at the cutoff.
How to plan your 50 hours
You have a 6-month hold period in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee compares to other states
Tennessee’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).
South Dakota requires the same 50 hours. Washington 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 Tennessee requires.
Use the countdown to see when you’ll be eligible for your license.
How many supervised driving hours does Tennessee require?
Tennessee requires 50 total supervised driving hours. 10 must be at night and 40 during the day.
What counts as night driving in Tennessee?
Night driving in Tennessee is defined as 10 pm to 6 am. You need 10 hours of night driving to qualify for your license.
How long do I need to hold my permit in Tennessee?
You must hold your learner’s permit for at least 6 months in Tennessee before you can take your road test.
How old do you have to be to get a learner’s permit in Tennessee?
You can apply for a learner’s permit in Tennessee at age 15.
Who can supervise a permit driver in Tennessee?
Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old with a valid license.
Does Tennessee accept a digital driving log?
Most DMV offices accept printed driving logs. Moda generates a PDF in Tennessee’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.