The Texas DPS Driving Log Form is a record that helps track a young driver's behind-the-wheel instruction hours. It requires a total of 20 hours of practice under the supervision of a qualified adult before the young driver can apply for a provisional license. Completing this form accurately is essential for ensuring that all requirements are met.
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When filling out the Texas DPS Driving Log form, it is important to follow certain guidelines to ensure accuracy and compliance. Below is a list of things to do and avoid during this process.
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.
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When preparing for a young driver’s provisional license in Texas, several important documents accompany the Texas DPS Driving Log form. Each of these documents plays a crucial role in ensuring that the applicant meets all necessary requirements and has completed the required training. Below is a list of commonly used forms that you will need to gather.
Gathering these documents ahead of time can help streamline the process of obtaining a provisional license. Ensuring that all forms are completed accurately and submitted together will make the experience smoother for both the young driver and their guardian. Being well-prepared is key to a successful application process.
Filling out the Texas DPS Driving Log form can be straightforward, but many make common mistakes that can lead to complications. One frequent error is failing to complete the log in its entirety. Each section requires specific details, including the student’s name, driver’s license number, practice session dates, and hours driven. Omitting any of this information can result in delays or issues when applying for a provisional license.
Another mistake involves not adhering to the daily driving hour limit. The form states that only one hour of behind-the-wheel instruction per day counts toward the total 20 hours. Some may mistakenly record multiple hours driven in one day, thinking it will benefit their log. This misunderstanding can lead to discrepancies and may require corrections later.
Many also forget to include the adult supervisor's signature and driver’s license number. This signature is crucial for verifying that the practice sessions were completed under the supervision of a qualified adult. Without it, the log may be considered incomplete, which could hinder the student's progress toward obtaining their license.
Inaccurate recording of hours is another common issue. Students might miscalculate the time spent driving or fail to differentiate between daytime and nighttime hours. The log requires specific documentation of both, and any errors can affect the eligibility for the provisional license.
Some individuals overlook the requirement for nighttime driving practice. The log mandates that at least 10 of the 20 hours must be completed during nighttime conditions. Failing to meet this requirement can result in the log being rejected or the student not qualifying for their provisional license.
Another mistake occurs when parents or guardians sign the log without reviewing the entries. It’s essential for them to ensure that all information is accurate before signing. A signature on a log with incorrect data can lead to complications and could be viewed as a lack of diligence in the supervision process.
People sometimes neglect to keep a copy of the completed log for their records. Having a backup can be beneficial if any questions arise or if the log is lost before submission. Without a copy, it can be challenging to prove that the required hours were completed.
Additionally, some fail to familiarize themselves with the recommended practice sessions outlined in the log. Each session has specific goals, and not following these can lead to inadequate preparation for the driving test. Understanding the focus areas can help ensure that the student is well-prepared.
Finally, not bringing the log and other required documents to the Department of Public Safety can be a significant oversight. Along with the log, the DE-964 driver education completion certificate and other essential documents must be presented. Forgetting any of these can result in additional trips and delays in obtaining the provisional license.
1. The Driving Log Form is Optional. Many believe that the Texas DPS Driving Log form is not mandatory. However, it is essential for tracking the required 20 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, which must be completed before obtaining a provisional license.
2. All Driving Hours Count Equally. A common misconception is that all hours driven will count towards the 20-hour requirement. In reality, only one hour of behind-the-wheel instruction per day is counted, regardless of how many hours the student drives.
3. Nighttime Driving is Not Necessary. Some parents think that nighttime driving is not a requirement. However, the log mandates that at least 10 of the 20 hours must be completed during nighttime conditions to ensure the young driver is prepared for various driving environments.
4. Any Adult Can Supervise. There is a belief that any adult can supervise the driving practice. The supervising adult must meet specific requirements outlined in Section 521.222 (d)(2) of the Transportation Code, which ensures they are qualified to instruct the young driver.
5. The Log Can Be Completed at Any Pace. Many assume that the 20 hours can be completed at any pace. While flexibility exists, it is crucial to adhere to the guideline of only counting one hour per day towards the total, which can prolong the process if not managed properly.
6. The Log is Only for Young Drivers. Some think the log is solely for young drivers. In fact, it is a tool for both the learner and the supervising adult, helping to facilitate structured practice and ensure comprehensive skill development.
7. You Can Use Any Vehicle for the Road Test. There is a misconception that any vehicle can be used for the road test. The vehicle must pass an inspection and meet specific requirements, including valid registration and insurance, to be eligible for the test.
8. The Driving Log is Not Reviewed by the DPS. Lastly, many believe that the log is not scrutinized by the Department of Public Safety. In fact, this log is an important document that must be presented along with other required documents when applying for a provisional license, and it may be reviewed for accuracy.
Filling out and using the Texas DPS Driving Log form is an essential step in the process of obtaining a provisional license for young drivers. Here are some key takeaways to consider:
Understanding these key points will help ensure a smooth experience as your teenager prepares for their provisional license.
After completing the Texas DPS Driving Log form, you'll be ready to submit it along with other required documents when your teenager applies for their provisional license. Ensure that all sections are filled out accurately, as this log will demonstrate the necessary behind-the-wheel practice hours.