50-state driver education checker
Driver’s Ed Requirements by State (2026)
Last UpdatedAugust 9, 2026State guide facts, source links, and DMV-day reminders are reviewed for learner permit prep.
Check whether driver education is required for a teen permit, adult first license, or road-test step in your state. This page is built for planning first, then it points you to the state guide for official DMV verification.
Quick answer
Driver’s ed is not one national rule
Some states require driver education before a teen permit, some require it before the road test or license, and some make it optional but useful. Adult rules are different again: a few states require adult courses for certain ages, while many do not require a traditional driver’s ed course.
Check your path
Find your driver’s ed requirement
Select a state and age group. The result explains the likely course rule and the next DMV step to verify.
California driver’s ed snapshot
Teen: Required for many teens before permit.
Adult: Not generally required.
Choose your state above to update this result.
State table
Driver’s ed requirements by state
The table compares teen and adult course rules at a planning level. Each state link opens the existing US Permit Prep state guide, where official DMV source links should be checked before paying for a course or booking a test.
| State | Teen requirement | Adult requirement | Online course | Parent-taught | Behind-the-wheel | State guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Conditional for teens | Not generally required | State-approved or agency-recognized courses only | No statewide parent-taught shortcut confirmed | Behind-the-wheel practice is part of the graduated path; verify current hour rules. | Open Alabama guide |
| Alaska | Not generally required statewide | Not generally required | Use approved schools where offered | No broad parent-taught replacement listed in the state guide | Supervised practice and parental certification can apply to minors. | Open Alaska guide |
| Arizona | Conditional / recommended | Not generally required | Approved schools and MVD-recognized providers | Parent-supervised practice is important; parent-taught course status must be verified | Teen applicants commonly document supervised practice when not using professional training. | Open Arizona guide |
| Arkansas | Not generally required statewide | Not generally required | Use state-recognized providers where offered | No broad parent-taught replacement listed in the state guide | Supervised practice rules still apply for minors. | Open Arkansas guide |
| California | Required for many teens before permit | Not generally required | California DMV accepts approved driver education routes for teens | Parent-taught replacement is not the normal California DMV path | Behind-the-wheel training and supervised practice apply before teen licensing. | Open California guide |
| Colorado | Age-dependent | Not generally required | Colorado-approved course paths may be available online | Parent course or affidavit options can apply by age path; verify current rule | Logged supervised driving is central to the teen license path. | Open Colorado guide |
| Connecticut | Required before license | Required safe-driving course | Connecticut-approved commercial, school, or home-training options vary | Home training is a recognized path with required safety instruction | Behind-the-wheel practice and parent or guardian training requirements can apply. | Open Connecticut guide |
| Delaware | Required for under 18 | Not generally required | School or approved program route | No broad parent-taught replacement listed in the state guide | Graduated driver license supervision applies after permit issuance. | Open Delaware guide |
| Florida | TLSAE required for first-time drivers | TLSAE required for first-time drivers | Approved online TLSAE providers are commonly used | Parent-taught replacement is not the same as TLSAE completion | Supervised practice is required for teen licensing. | Open Florida guide |
| Georgia | Required for under 18 | Not generally required | DDS-approved online or classroom options may apply | Parent-taught or self-taught routes must meet DDS requirements if used | 40 hours supervised driving, including night hours, is part of the teen path. | Open Georgia guide |
| Hawaii | Required for under 18 license path | Not generally required | Use county or state-approved driver education programs | No broad parent-taught replacement listed in the state guide | Behind-the-wheel course completion applies to teens. | Open Hawaii guide |
| Idaho | Required for many under-17 applicants | Not generally required | Approved public or private driver training providers | Parent-supervised practice follows training; parent-taught replacement must be verified | Supervised driving period applies before licensing. | Open Idaho guide |
| Illinois | Required for ages 15-17 | Required for some ages 18-20 | Approved school, commercial, or adult courses | Parent-taught replacement is not the standard Illinois path | Behind-the-wheel instruction is part of teen driver education. | Open Illinois guide |
| Indiana | Optional for earlier permit age | Not generally required | Approved providers may offer online classroom portions | Parent-supervised practice is required; parent-taught course status varies | Supervised driving log applies before probationary license. | Open Indiana guide |
| Iowa | Required for intermediate license path | Not generally required | Iowa-approved driver education providers | Parent-taught route availability must be verified with Iowa DOT | Supervised driving and certification apply. | Open Iowa guide |
| Kansas | Conditional | Not generally required | Kansas-approved driver education programs | Parent-supervised practice is required; parent-taught course status varies | Supervised driving hours apply before less restricted privileges. | Open Kansas guide |
| Kentucky | Required after permit / before full license path | Not generally required | State-approved online or classroom options may be available | Parent-supervised practice remains required | Practice hours and permit holding period apply. | Open Kentucky guide |
| Louisiana | Required for most first-time drivers | Required pre-licensing course by age | OMV-approved providers; classroom or online availability varies | Parent-taught replacement is not the normal OMV path | Behind-the-wheel instruction requirements vary by age and course. | Open Louisiana guide |
| Maine | Required for under 18 | Not generally required | Maine-approved driver education schools | No broad parent-taught replacement listed in the state guide | Supervised practice is required before road test. | Open Maine guide |
| Maryland | Required for new drivers | Required for new drivers | MVA-approved driver education schools | Parent-taught replacement is not the normal Maryland path | Behind-the-wheel instruction and practice log requirements apply. | Open Maryland guide |
| Massachusetts | Required under 18 | Not generally required | RMV-approved driver education providers | Parent class requirement applies for parents or guardians of junior operators | Behind-the-wheel and observation hours apply for under-18 applicants. | Open Massachusetts guide |
| Michigan | Required for teens | Not generally required | Michigan-approved driver education providers | Parent-supervised practice required; parent-taught replacement not standard | Logged supervised hours apply before Level 2. | Open Michigan guide |
| Minnesota | Required for under 18 | Not generally required | Approved classroom or online options may vary | Parent course can reduce required practice hours in some paths | Supervised driving hours apply. | Open Minnesota guide |
| Mississippi | Not generally required statewide | Not generally required | Use approved providers if taking a course | Parent-supervised practice still matters | Intermediate license restrictions apply. | Open Mississippi guide |
| Missouri | Not generally required statewide | Not generally required | Use recognized schools where offered | No broad parent-taught replacement listed in the state guide | 40 hours supervised driving with night practice applies to many teens. | Open Missouri guide |
| Montana | Conditional / traffic education path | Not generally required | State-approved traffic education programs | Parent-supervised practice required; course substitution varies | Graduated license requirements still apply. | Open Montana guide |
| Nebraska | Conditional | Not generally required | Nebraska-approved providers where applicable | Parent-supervised practice can apply depending on path | Practice certification may be required. | Open Nebraska guide |
| Nevada | Required under 18 where available | Not generally required | Nevada-approved classroom or online options may apply | Parent-supervised practice can substitute only where state rules allow | Behind-the-wheel or supervised hours apply. | Open Nevada guide |
| New Hampshire | Required under 18 before license | Not generally required | Approved driver education schools | Parent-supervised practice still required | 40 hours supervised driving, including night practice, is commonly part of the youth path. | Open New Hampshire guide |
| New Jersey | Required for 16-year-old student learner path | Not generally required | MVC-approved driving schools | Parent-taught replacement is not the student learner route | Supervised driving period applies. | Open New Jersey guide |
| New Mexico | Required for under 18 | Not generally required | State-approved driver education providers | Parent-supervised practice required; course substitution varies | Practice hours apply before provisional licensing. | Open New Mexico guide |
| New York | Required before road test, not usually before permit | Required before road test | Approved pre-licensing course or driver education route | Parent-taught replacement is not the standard DMV course route | Supervised practice certification applies to junior applicants. | Open New York guide |
| North Carolina | Required for under 18 | Not generally required | State or school-approved driver education | Parent-supervised practice follows permit issuance | Supervised hours apply before Level 2. | Open North Carolina guide |
| North Dakota | Required for younger applicants | Not generally required | Approved driver education providers | Parent-supervised driving still applies | Practice and holding-period rules vary by age. | Open North Dakota guide |
| Ohio | Required under 18 before license | Conditional after failed test | Approved online/classroom and behind-the-wheel providers | Parent-supervised practice required; abbreviated adult course rules differ | 50 hours supervised driving applies to under-18 applicants. | Open Ohio guide |
| Oklahoma | Optional / age-dependent | Not generally required | Approved schools or providers where applicable | Parent-supervised practice required | Supervised driving and holding period apply. | Open Oklahoma guide |
| Oregon | Optional but affects practice hours | Not generally required | ODOT-approved providers | Parent-supervised practice required | Practice-hour requirement differs with or without driver education. | Open Oregon guide |
| Pennsylvania | Not generally required statewide | Not generally required | Use approved programs if choosing a course | Parent or guardian certification of practice applies | 65 hours supervised practice applies to junior drivers. | Open Pennsylvania guide |
| Rhode Island | Required for under 18 | Not generally required | Rhode Island-approved driver education provider | Parent-supervised practice required | Supervised driving and permit holding rules apply. | Open Rhode Island guide |
| South Carolina | Not generally required statewide | Not generally required | Use approved schools where offered | Parent-supervised practice applies | Practice hours apply for younger drivers. | Open South Carolina guide |
| South Dakota | Optional but changes timing | Not generally required | Approved driver education where used | Parent-supervised practice remains important | Restricted or minor permit path varies. | Open South Dakota guide |
| Tennessee | Not generally required statewide | Not generally required | Use approved providers if taking course | Parent-supervised practice applies | 50 hours supervised practice commonly applies for intermediate license. | Open Tennessee guide |
| Texas | Required for teens | Required ages 18-24 | DPS/TDLR-approved online and classroom providers | Parent-taught allowed under Texas program rules | Behind-the-wheel and supervised practice apply to teen routes. | Open Texas guide |
| Utah | Required under 19 | Not generally required for 19+ | Approved online, high school, or commercial providers | Parent-supervised practice still required | Practice hours apply before license. | Open Utah guide |
| Vermont | Required under 18 | Not generally required | Vermont-approved driver education providers | Parent-supervised practice required | 40 hours supervised practice commonly applies. | Open Vermont guide |
| Virginia | Required under 18 | Not generally required | Approved classroom/online and behind-the-wheel providers | Parent or guardian certification applies | 45 hours supervised driving applies for minors. | Open Virginia guide |
| Washington | Required for 15-year-old permit path | Not generally required | Washington-approved driver training schools | Parent-supervised practice required | Practice hours apply before intermediate license. | Open Washington guide |
| West Virginia | Not generally required statewide | Not generally required | Use approved programs where offered | Parent-supervised practice required | Practice and holding-period rules apply. | Open West Virginia guide |
| Wisconsin | Required under 18 | Not generally required | WisDOT-approved driver education providers | Parent-supervised practice required | Behind-the-wheel and practice hours apply. | Open Wisconsin guide |
| Wyoming | Not generally required statewide | Not generally required | Use approved providers where offered | Parent-supervised practice applies | Practice-hour certification can apply for intermediate license. | Open Wyoming guide |
How to read rules
Driver’s ed can be required at different stages
Avoid these
Common driver’s ed mistakes before DMV day
- Buying a course that is not approved by the state licensing agency.
- Assuming an online classroom course replaces behind-the-wheel training.
- Confusing teen driver education with an adult first-license course.
- Arriving at the DMV without the course completion certificate or enrollment proof.
- Using a state rule from a blog instead of the current DMV source.
Driver’s ed requirements FAQ
Do I need driver’s ed to get a permit?
It depends on your state and age. Some teen applicants need driver education enrollment or completion before a permit, while adult applicants often follow a different path.
Can I take driver’s ed online?
Many states allow online classroom or theory courses only from approved providers. Behind-the-wheel instruction, when required, usually has separate rules.
Is parent-taught driver’s ed allowed?
Only in states that recognize a parent-taught program, such as Texas under its own rules. In many states, parent-supervised practice is required but does not replace an approved course.
Do adults need driver’s ed?
Usually not, but there are exceptions. Texas requires a course for many 18-24 first-time applicants, and some states require adult safe-driving or pre-licensing courses before road testing.
What proof do I bring after finishing driver’s ed?
Bring the certificate, enrollment proof, or completion record your state requires. A screenshot, unofficial email, or out-of-state course may not be accepted.
Next steps
Start DMV Practice Test Check Permit Restrictions Prepare Documents
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