The Texas DPS Driving Log form is a crucial document for young drivers seeking to obtain their provisional license. It meticulously records 20 hours of guided driving practice, including at least 10 hours at nighttime, under the supervision of an adult who meets specific qualifications stipulated in Section 521.222 (d)(2) of the Transportation Code. Complete with sections for various driving skills and conditions, it ensures that students gain comprehensive behind-the-wheel experience before hitting the road independently. To learn more about how to correctly fill out this form and track your driving practice, click the button below.
The Texas DPS Driving Log Form is an integral document for young drivers on the path to obtaining a provisional license in Texas. This comprehensive tool records 20 hours of required behind-the-wheel practice, ensuring that prospective drivers gain essential, hands-on driving experience under the supervision of a qualified adult, as mandated by the Texas Transportation Code, Section 521.222 (d)(2). The form meticulously documents each driving session, delineating between daytime and nighttime hours, and covers a broad spectrum of driving skills from basic vehicle control to complex maneuvers in various driving environments. Critical skills such as starting, stopping, steering, parking, and navigating multiple lane roadways and city driving are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of developing proficient visual and decision-making abilities for safe driving. Additionally, the form demands certification by a parent, guardian, or the student, if over 18, attesting to the truthfulness of the recorded practice hours. This document, alongside other vital documents like the DE-964 driver education completion certificate, serves as a prerequisite for young drivers before they can advance to the provisional licensing phase, underscoring Texas's commitment to promoting safety and preparedness among new drivers on the road.
BEHIND THE WHEEL INSTRUCTION LOG 20 HOURS
Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Guide may be downloaded or printed from www.tea.state.tx.us/drive
The 20 hours of behind-the-wheel practice must be completed in the presence of an adult who meets the requirements of Section 521.222 (d)(2), Transportation Code before the young driver is eligible for a provisional license. Only one (1) hour of behind-the- wheel instruction per day will count towards the 20 hours regardless of the number of hours the student actually drives in a day.
Student’s Name: ________________________________________________________ DL #: ______________________________
Practice Session
Date
Time
Daytime
Nighttime
Adult’s Signature and DL #
mm/dd/yyyy
(am/pm)
Hours
Getting Ready, Starting,
Placing the Vehicle in
Motion, and Stopping
Recommended 1 hour
Moving, Stopping,
Steering, Knowing Where
You Are
Recommended 2 hour
Backing
Turning, Lane Position,
and Visual Skills
Recommended 2 hours
Searching Intended
Path of Travel
Parking
Turnabouts
Multiple Lane Roadways
Recommended 3 hours
City Driving
Expressway/Freeway
Driving
I certify and endorse that the above record is true and correct and my student has completed 20 hours of guided practice which includes at least 10 at nighttime.
____________________________________________________________
_______________________________
Parent/Guardian’s Signature (if over 18 years of age student’s signature)
When your teenager is eligible for the provisional license take this log, the DE-964 driver education completion certificate and with the other required documents to the Department of Public Safety. Required documents: (1) Valid Learner’s License (Instruction Permit), (2) Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form, (3) DE 964 from school which provided the driver education course, (3) 20 Hours Behind-the-Wheel Practice Log, (4) The vehicle used for the Road Test must be able to pass an inspection where everything works properly, have a valid inspection sticker, valid registration sticker, and current insurance, (5) Money to pay for license
Texas Education Agency/Texas Department of Public Safety Parent Guide 20 Hours
Getting Ready, Starting, Placing the Vehicle in Motion, and Stopping (p. 14) Recommended 1 hour -- These practice sessions introduce your teenager to the instrument panel, vehicle controls, and mirror blind spots. The young driver should get ready to drive, start the vehicle, place the vehicle in motion, stop, and secure the vehicle. Please review the vehicle owner’s manual before and during these practice sessions.
Moving, Stopping, Steering, Knowing Where You Are (p. 15) Recommended 2 hours -- Focus on learning the correct procedures for moving, stopping, using reference points, and steering the vehicle at different speeds. Begin in a large, level parking lot that is free of obstacles. The teenager should practice driving around the perimeter of the lot at 10 and 15 mph. Using commentary driving, have your teenager focus on smooth push-pull-slide hand-to-hand steering and stops. Your teenager should be taught to ease off the accelerator or use the brake to reduce speed before entering a curve and use slight acceleration to overcome inertia and pull the vehicle out of the curve. Ask the teenager to move the vehicle to specified targets in the parking lot at 10 and 15 mph. The target is a fixed object that is located 12-20 seconds ahead of the vehicle, in the center of the path of travel, and is what the driver steers toward. It can be a car a block ahead, a traffic signal, the crest of a hill, etc. Having a target helps the new driver to: visualize the space the vehicle will be occupying; look far ahead of the vehicle and begin a search to identify risks; improve steering accuracy. Focus on smooth acceleration, proper speed, and smooth stops. Explain to your teenager that “curling” the toes back to ease pressure off the brake just before stopping results in smoother stops. Practice normal smooth stops and hard smooth stops which are done at a slightly higher speed.
Backing (p. 16) Recommended 1 hour -- Repeat the tasks listed in sessions Moving, Stopping, Steering, Knowing Where You Are with the vehicle in reverse gear at idle or slow speeds. Backing from one target to another allows your teenager to practice seeing, steering, and speed control skills with the vehicle in reverse gear.
Turning, Lane Position, and Visual Skills (p. 16) Recommended 2 hours -- During the next practice sessions practice 10-15 right and left turns from stopped and moving positions in a parking lot. Left turns should be “squared” and right turns should be “rounded.” Emphasize proper signals, mirror checks, side- position reference points, speed and steering control, and the need to look ahead of the vehicle at a selected target in the center of the path of travel. Warn young drivers not to fixate on any one thing. Prior to progressing to driving in a quiet neighborhood, your teenager should be able to demonstrate the ability to move and stop the car smoothly, maintain a given speed, and steer with reasonable precision. If your teenager is ready, practice right and left turns in a residential area.
Searching Intended Path of Travel (p. 18) Recommended 2 hours -- In a residential area, or, if ready, on roads with light traffic, continue working on basic visual skills, negotiating curves, and right and left turns. Practice judging space in seconds, identifying a target, and searching the target area and target path. Ask your teenager to comment prior to changing speed or position. Young drivers have the tendency to monitor the road immediately in front of the vehicle.
Parking (p. 19) Recommended 1 hour -- Angle Parking, Perpendicular Parking, Parallel Parking, Curb Parking, Parking Uphill, Parking Downhill
Turnabouts (p. 21) Recommended 2 hours -- Focus on recognizing the different types of turnabouts and selecting the appropriate type of turnabout for a given situation. Begin in a large, level parking lot free of obstacles. Practice 2-point, 3-point, and U-turns in a parking lot. Progress to a lightly traveled residential area, and practice visual search skills, turns, and each turnabout at least 10 times. The easiest and safest way to change directions is to drive around the block.
Multiple Lane Roadways (p. 22) Recommended 3 hours -- Focus on lane position, lane changing, following distance, and mirror blind spots. If possible, choose a time when the four-lane roadway on which you select to practice has minimal traffic, such as during early morning hours on Saturday or Sunday. There are several lane position choices a driver can make without changing lanes. Practice driving in lane position 1, 2, and 3 for several miles during each session.
City Driving (p. 24) Recommended 3 hours -- Focus on driving on crowded urban roadways. During these practice sessions have your teenager examine the importance of scanning ahead, lane position, covering the brake, and the hazards associated with parked cars, traffic congestion, and distractions. Decision- making is the most important skill used in driving. A driver operating in city traffic flow makes 50-60 decisions per mile. Drivers need visibility, space, time, and adequate traction to perform all maneuvers in city traffic whether crossing, turning, passing, or adjusting speed and/or position. During these sessions ask your teenager to focus on controlling space to the front and speed to enhance visibility, space, time, and traction. Driving on congested roadways allows a very small margin for driver error. Effective searching skills and driver alertness are both essential. Every second counts in this driving environment.
Expressway/Freeway Driving (p. 25) Recommended 3 hours -- Focus on complex risk driving environments at speeds up to 70 mph. Traffic flow on expressways can be heavy and at times unpredictable. They are called limited access highways because there are only certain locations, called interchanges, where a driver can enter and exit the expressway. Expressways have a low frequency of collisions, but often have high injury severity rates when a collision does occur because of the higher speeds. Review the expressway information in the Texas Driver Handbook. Make sure your teenager understands the different kinds of expressway interchanges, expressway signs, signals, lane markings, speed limits, and the importance of maintaining a 20-30 second visual lead.
Filling out the Texas DPS Driving Log is a straightforward process necessary for teen drivers seeking to advance from a learner's permit to a provisional license. This log is crucial for documenting the required 20 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, with at least 10 hours completed at night, under the supervision of a qualified adult. The steps below guide you through filling out the form correctly to ensure all practice hours are accounted for and properly documented.
After completing the form and gathering all necessary documents, you're ready to visit the Department of Public Safety. Submit your documentation and complete any additional requirements as directed by DPS staff. This process is a crucial step towards securing a provisional license and gaining further driving independence. Remember, safe driving practices and adherence to all traffic laws are essential at every stage of your driving journey.
The Texas DPS Driving Log Form is a document used to record the 20 hours of behind-the-wheel practice required for young drivers under the supervision of an adult. This practice is necessary before the young driver is eligible for a provisional license. The form includes sections to log practice sessions, categorizing them into specific driving skills and separating them into daytime and nighttime hours. It's essential for tracking progress and ensuring all required skills are adequately practiced.
The form must be completed by young drivers who are working towards obtaining their provisional driver's license. It serves as proof that they have completed the mandatory 20 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. These hours must be supervised by an adult who meets the requirements outlined in Section 521.222 (d)(2) of the Transportation Code. The form must be endorsed by the adult supervisor, usually a parent or guardian, who certifies the accuracy of the log.
A total of 20 hours of behind-the-wheel practice must be logged to fulfill the requirements. Importantly, at least 10 of these hours must be completed at nighttime. The form helps organize the practice into various driving skills and environments to ensure a well-rounded driving education.
No, only one hour of behind-the-wheel instruction per day can be counted towards the 20-hour requirement, regardless of how many hours the student actually drives in a day. This rule is designed to promote consistent, gradual learning and ensure the experience is well-absorbed.
The log form includes specific areas of driving practice to ensure comprehensive instruction:
When applying for a provisional license, the following documents must be presented along with the completed Driving Log Form:
The Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Guide, which accompanies the Texas DPS Driving Log Form, can be downloaded or printed from the official website www.tea.state.tx.us/drive. This guide provides detailed instructions on how to effectively complete the 20 hours of required driving practice, ensuring both the student and the supervising adult are well-informed on the objectives of each session.
Filling out the Texas DPS Driving Log form is a critical step in the journey to obtaining a provisional license for young drivers. However, mistakes can easily be made during this process. Understanding these common errors can assist parents, guardians, and young drivers in accurately completing the form and advancing towards safe, independent driving. Here are five common mistakes to avoid:
It's essential to approach filling out the Texas DPS Driving Log with attention to detail and an understanding of the requirements. By avoiding these common mistakes, parents and young drivers can streamline the process of moving from a learner's permit to a provisional license, ensuring that the young driver is well-prepared for the responsibilities of the road.
When preparing for a provisional license in Texas, the Behind the Wheel Instruction Log is a critical component for young drivers to document their driving practice. However, this form is often accompanied by additional documents and forms that are equally important in the application process for a provisional license. Understanding these supplementary documents can streamline the process and ensure all necessary paperwork is in order for a smooth transition from a learner's permit to a provisional driver's license.
Collectively, these documents, along with the Behind the Wheel Instruction Log, form the foundational paperwork necessary for Texas teens to advance towards their provisional driving license. Ensuring that each document is accurately filled out and submitted within the required timeframe is essential. This organizational effort demonstrates responsibility and readiness for the privileges and responsibilities that come with a provisional license.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driving Log is akin to a Driver Education Completion Certificate. Both documents serve as evidence of the completion of required driving education and training. While the DPS Driving Log specifically tracks hands-on driving hours, documenting both daytime and nighttime experience under supervised conditions, a Driver Education Completion Certificate affirms that a broader curriculum, including both theoretical and practical components of driver's education, has been successfully completed. Both are crucial for young drivers seeking to advance to the next stage of licensing.
Similar to a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) Form, the DPS Driving Log is required to progress in the licensing process. The VOE form confirms a student's enrollment in school, which is a prerequisite for maintaining a learner's permit in many states, including Texas. The DPS Driving Log complements this by demonstrating the practical driving experience, underscoring the commitment to not only academic but also driving responsibilities.
A Vehicle Inspection Report shares common objectives with the DPS Driving Log. While the log emphasizes the accumulation of driving experience, an inspection report ensures that the vehicle used for learning and testing meets safety standards. The underlying similarity lies in their focus on safety – one through ensuring competent drivers, and the other by confirming vehicle safety.
The DPS Driving Log bears resemblance to an Auto Insurance Verification form. While the driving log proves that a learner has completed the required number of driving hours under supervision, the insurance verification proves that the vehicle used is insured. Both documents are essential for ensuring that young drivers are both competent behind the wheel and operating vehicles that are covered by insurance, highlighting a dual approach to managing risk on the road.
A Road Test Scheduling Form is another document related to the DPS Driving Log, as it is typically the next step after completing the log's requirements. The scheduling form is used to arrange a practical driving test to assess the driver's abilities in real traffic conditions. Essentially, the driving log provides the foundation of experience, whereas the scheduling form facilitates the opportunity to demonstrate acquired skills in a formal testing environment.
Progressing towards independence, a Provisional License Application is naturally aligned with the completion of the DPS Driving Log. The provisional license represents the next tier of driving freedom for young individuals, contingent upon the documentation of sufficient and supervised behind-the-wheel practice as recorded in the log. It signifies a move towards unsupervised driving, predicated on the foundation laid by documented practice hours.
Likewise, the Vehicle Registration Document connects with the DPS Driving Log through the requirement of a lawfully registered vehicle for driving practice and testing. Having a registered vehicle, as documented through this form, is pivotal for lawful driving learning experiences, just as the driving log records these very experiences. Both are indispensable components of the journey towards solo driving.
Last but not least, the Parent-Taught Driver Education (PTDE) Packet is akin to the DPS Driving Log in establishing a structured system for learning drivers. The PTDE Packet contains materials and guidelines for parents to teach their children how to drive, parallel to how the driving log tracks the practical application of this learning. Both are integral for a cohesive, structured approach to driver education under parental guidance.
When it comes to guiding your teen through their journey of becoming a safe and responsible driver in Texas, accurately filling out the Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Log is crucial. This log not only tracks the progress of the essential 20 hours of behind-the-wheel practice required for a provisional license but also ensures that young drivers are well-prepared for a variety of driving scenarios. Here are some essential dos and don'ts to keep in mind while completing this important document.
By adhering to these guidelines, you will not only fulfill the legal requirements set by Texas law but also play a vital role in helping your teen develop the skills and confidence necessary to be a safe and responsible driver.
When guiding a teenager through the process of learning how to drive in Texas, there are many rules and regulations that come into play, especially concerning the Texas DPS Driving Log form. With so much information out there, it's easy to encounter misconceptions. Let's clear up some of the common misunderstandings:
Any adult can supervise the driving practice. This isn't true. The adult must meet specific requirements outlined in Section 521.222 (d)(2) of the Transportation Code. They must be qualified, which usually means they need to be a parent, legal guardian, or a qualified driving instructor.
You can log more than one hour of driving practice per day. Only one hour of behind-the-wheel instruction counts towards the required 20 hours, no matter how many hours are actually driven in a single day.
Nighttime driving isn't necessary. Incorrect. Out of the 20 hours, at least 10 must be completed at night to ensure young drivers gain experience in different driving conditions.
Any vehicle is suitable for the driving test. The vehicle used must pass an inspection ensuring everything works properly. It must also have a valid inspection sticker, valid registration sticker, and current insurance.
The log only needs to be signed by the student. The log must be signed by the parent or guardian to certify the accuracy of the record, or by the student if they are over 18 years of age.
The log is the only document required for a provisional license. Alongside the log, other documents such as the DE-964 driver education completion certificate, Verification of Enrollment and Attendance form, a valid Learner’s License (Instruction Permit), and payment for the license are required.
All driving skills are covered in the behind-the-wheel practice. The log outlines specific recommended skills and hours, but this is not exhaustive. Comprehensive driving skills development requires additional practice and education beyond what is documented in the log.
Downloading or printing the Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Guide isn't necessary. It's highly recommended to download or print this guide from the stated website as it provides valuable information and instructions that complement the log activities.
Expressway/Freeway driving isn't important. On the contrary, 3 hours of the recommended practice time is dedicated to expressway/freeway driving, highlighting its importance in ensuring young drivers can handle high-speed and complex driving environments safely.
Understanding the requirements and addressing these misconceptions is crucial for a smooth, compliant process in assisting young drivers towards obtaining their provisional license in Texas. Always ensure to refer to the most current guidelines provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Education Agency.
Filling out the Texas DPS Driving Log form is an essential step toward a young driver's journey to becoming a licensed driver. Here are key takeaways to keep in mind:
This form serves as an essential part of preparing a young driver for the responsibilities and skills needed for safe driving. By diligently filling out the log and ensuring all practice hours are accounted for, parents and guardians help create a foundation for their teenager's lifelong driving habits.
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