District of Columbia supervised driving: 40 hours, 10 at night.

Everything a District of Columbia parent needs in one place — required practice hours, night-driving rules, permit age, and what the written test looks like — plus a free log that keeps the hours straight.

What District of Columbia actually requires

Requirements summarized from the official District of Columbia driver handbook.

The District of Columbia graduated licensing path

  1. Learner Permit — from age 16
  2. Provisional License — from age 16.5
  3. Full License — from age 18

District of Columbia laws your teen will be tested on

District of Columbia Seat Belt Law

District law requires drivers and all passengers, in both front and back seats, to wear seat belts at all times, and police may stop a vehicle solely for a seat belt violation. The driver is responsible for every passenger’s compliance; the penalty is a $50 fine and 2 points.

District of Columbia Speed Limits

Never exceed the posted speed limit, and drive no faster than is reasonable under existing conditions. Unless otherwise posted, limits are 20 miles per hour on city streets; 15 miles per hour in alleys and school zones; 30 – 50 miles per hour on ordinary highways; 30 – 55 miles per hour on divided highways; and 55 – 75 miles per hour on interstate highways.

District of Columbia DUI & Distracted Driving

For alcohol-related impaired-driving offenses, the minimum revocation period is 6 months for the first offense, 1 year for the second offense, and 2 years for the third or subsequent offense, and enrollment in the mandatory IID Program is required. In the District of Columbia, drivers must be hands-free when using a cellular phone, and texting while driving is never allowed.

District of Columbia School Bus & Pedestrian Rules

When a school vehicle is stopped or stopping with alternating flashing red lights, stop at least 20 feet from it and wait until the lights are off. You do not have to stop if the school vehicle is on the opposite side of a divided highway, but continue watching for pedestrians.

District of Columbia Move Over & Emergency Scenes

If you see a vehicle stopped on the shoulder, slow down and move to the left side of your lane or into the next lane when possible.

District of Columbia Right-of-Way Rules

At stop signs, stop completely and yield to pedestrians or bicyclists in the crosswalk; at yield signs, yield to pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles. When entering a roundabout, yield to motorcycles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and vehicles already in the roundabout.

A real District of Columbia practice question

What shape is a warning sign for a school crossing?

A five-sided sign warns drivers of a school crossing, while a diamond-shaped sign warns of a pedestrian crossing.

District of Columbia driving practice questions, answered

How many supervised driving hours does District of Columbia require?
District of Columbia requires 40 supervised driving hours, including 10 hours after dark.
What counts as a night driving hour in District of Columbia?
Driving between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. local time counts toward the 10-hour night requirement.
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in District of Columbia?
A District of Columbia learner's permit can be issued starting at age 16.
How many questions are on the District of Columbia written test?
The District of Columbia knowledge exam has 25 questions and requires 80% correct to pass.
Does NextDriver Prep have District of Columbia practice questions?
Yes — 1 practice questions written from the official District of Columbia driver handbook, with explanations for every answer.
How should we track the 40 hours?
Log each drive the same day it happens. NextDriver Prep's free log records date, duration, day/night split, and conditions, and totals your progress toward District of Columbia's 40 hours automatically.
Is the District of Columbia driving log free?
Yes. The supervised driving log is free forever, with no card required. The Family Plan adds lessons, coaching scripts, hazard training, and Kai the AI co-pilot.
Does NextDriver Prep submit our log to the state?
No. NextDriver Prep helps your family track and organize practice. The District of Columbia licensing agency decides permit and license eligibility.

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