A Message from the Department of Transportation

Having your teen reach the important milestone of learning to drive is exciting and scary at the same time. This guide is meant to assist you in making this endeavor not only meaningful but enjoyable. Driving a motor vehicle is a privilege that comes with many responsibilities. Assisting your new driver in learning to be safe, courteous, and attentive on our roadways is the first step in a lifelong journey of driving.

Take a moment to think back to the time when you were first learning to drive. What do you remember most? Do you remember who taught you? Those who helped you learn the rules of the road may be the reason you are reading this book today and helping to teach someone else how to drive safely.
As a parent or guardian, you are both a teacher and role model. Your teen has been watching you drive and has been observing how you handle situations on the road. As you know, driving is a task that requires your full attention. The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program allows you to confidently teach your teen how to drive in a variety of situations and encourages you to ride with them at different times of day or night and in a variety of traffic patterns and weather conditions. This guide highlights Pennsylvania’s laws and each section focuses on core driving skills that progress from basic to complex situations.

Pennsylvania has what is called a Graduated Driver License (GDL) program during the learner’s permit and junior license phase. The goal of a GDL is to increase privileges gradually as teens gain experience behind the wheel. This will allow your teen to drive cautiously and with accountability, keeping them out of harm’s way to the best extent possible.

Once your teen has earned their learner’s permit, they must complete a minimum of 65 hours of practice driving time, including at least 10 hours at night and 5 hours during adverse weather conditions. You or another licensed adult age 21 or older are required to accompany and supervise your teen from the front seat of the vehicle during on-the-road practice sessions. This may seem overwhelming at first, but with the assistance of this guide and the included driving log to track hours, your confidence as a driving mentor will grow.

This guide was designed as a teaching tool and it contains valuable advice, checklists, a driving log, a sample driving contract, and a driving certification form to help you teach your teen to be a safe and confident driver. Please take the time to read and use this valuable resource.

Safe Driving,
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation