What forms you need to track your driving practice

Florida requires you to log at least 50 hours of supervised driving before you can take the road test for your Class E license — and you need to prove those hours happened. The form you use is the DHSMV Form 83039, also called the "Supervised Driving Log." This is the official document the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recognizes, and you must bring it to your road test appointment.

The form itself is straightforward: it records the date, time of day, road conditions, and hours driven for each practice session. You and the supervising driver (a licensed adult at least 21 years old) both sign off on each entry. Without this log filled out correctly, the testing officer can refuse to let you test, even if you have actually driven those hours.

You can get the form in two ways: read it from the official DHSMV website as a PDF, or pick up a printed copy at any Florida DMV office. Many driving schools also provide their own versions, though they must meet the same state requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • Form 83039 is the official Florida Supervised Driving Log and is required to prove you completed your 50 hours before taking the road test.
  • You must record the date, time, road type, and hours for each driving session, and both you and your supervising driver must sign each entry.
  • Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and hold a valid driver's license; they do not have to be a parent or relative.
  • You can read Form 83039 from the DHSMV website or get a printed copy at any DMV office at no cost.
  • Bring the completed and signed log to your road test appointment; without it, you may not be allowed to test.

How to fill out the driving log correctly

Each row on Form 83039 represents one driving session. Start by writing the date in the first column — use the month, day, and year format. Next, record the time you started driving and the time you finished. The form asks for the total hours and minutes, so if you drove from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., you would write 1 hour and 30 minutes.

The "Road Type" column is where you note what kind of roads you practiced on. Florida wants to see a mix: residential streets, highways, and rural roads. Write a brief description — "residential," "highway," "rural," or a combination if you drove on more than one type during that session.

At the end of each row, both you (the learner) and your supervising driver must sign and print your names. Do not skip this step. The testing officer will check that the log is signed throughout; an unsigned entry may not count toward your 50 hours.

Keep the log neat and legible. If you make a mistake, cross it out with a single line and initial the change — do not use white-out or erase. The form should look like a genuine record, not something hastily filled in the night before your test.

What counts as a valid driving hour in Florida

Not all time behind the wheel counts. Florida has specific rules about what you can log. You must be driving on public roads — parking lots, private property, and closed courses do not count. The supervising driver must be sitting in the front passenger seat and must be able to take control of the vehicle if needed.

Driving during daylight hours counts, and so does driving at night. However, between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m., you are restricted under Florida's graduated licensing rules. You can still log those hours toward your 50-hour requirement, but you cannot actually drive during those times unless a parent, guardian, or driving instructor is with you — and even then, only for specific reasons like school or work.

Of your 50 required hours, at least 10 must be driven at night (between sunset and sunrise). Make sure your log reflects this mix. If you log 50 hours but only 5 of them are at night, you have not met the requirement and cannot test.

Who can supervise your driving practice

Your supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and hold a valid Florida driver's license. They do not have to be a parent or family member — a trusted adult friend, neighbor, or mentor can supervise. The person must be physically able to exercise control of the vehicle if you make a dangerous mistake, so they need to be alert and sober during every session.

If you are working with a professional driving school, the instructor counts as your supervising driver and can sign off on the log. Many schools provide their own log forms, but those forms must still capture the same information as Form 83039 and be accepted by the DMV.

You can have different supervising drivers for different sessions — you do not need the same person for all 50 hours. However, each person who supervises you must sign the log for the sessions they were present for. The testing officer wants to see that multiple adults have verified your practice time.

Where to get Form 83039 and how to submit it

read the form directly from the DHSMV website by searching for "Form 83039" in their forms library. The PDF is free and can be printed at home on standard paper. If you do not have a printer, visit any Florida DMV office and ask for a printed copy — staff will give you one at no cost.

You do not submit the form to the DMV before your test. Instead, bring the original, completed, and signed log with you when you arrive for your road test appointment. The testing officer will review it before you begin the test. If the log is incomplete, unsigned, or does not show 50 hours with at least 10 at night, the officer will not let you test that day.

Keep a copy for your own records. Once you pass the road test and receive your license, you can keep the log as proof of your training, though you do not need to turn it in to the state.

What happens if your log is incomplete or missing

If you arrive at your road test without the log, or if the log is missing signatures or does not show 50 hours, the testing officer will cancel your appointment. You will have to reschedule and complete the missing hours before you can test again. This means more weeks of practice and another test fee.

If you have lost your original log, you cannot straightforward write a new one and have it signed after the fact — the log must be filled out as you drive, not reconstructed later. Start a new log when ready and continue logging your hours. You will need to make up any hours you cannot document.

Some testing locations may accept a letter from your supervising driver confirming the hours you drove together, but this is not may provide and varies by office. It is much safer to keep the official form filled out and signed as you go.

Using a driving school's log instead of Form 83039

If you are taking lessons through a Florida driving school, ask whether they provide their own log form. Many schools use customized versions that include the same required information as Form 83039 but may have additional fields for lesson type or instructor notes. These are usually acceptable to the DMV as long as they capture date, time, road type, hours, and signatures.

Before you rely on a school's form, confirm with the school that the DMV accepts it. You can also call your local DMV office or ask the testing officer at your appointment. If there is any doubt, use the official Form 83039 instead — it is always recognized and requires no explanation.

Whether you use the official form or a school's version, the rules are the same: 50 total hours, at least 10 at night, signed by you and your supervising driver for each session, and brought to your road test appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log driving hours if I am practicing alone in an empty parking lot?

No. Florida requires that you drive on public roads with a supervising driver in the front passenger seat. Parking lots and private property do not count, even if you are practicing important skills like parking or turning.

What if my supervising driver forgets to sign the log after a practice session?

Go back and have them sign it as soon as possible. The signature does not have to be on the same day you drove, but it should be soon after so the entry looks genuine. If you cannot get the signature later, that hour may not count toward your 50.

Do I need to print Form 83039 or can I fill it out on a computer?

The official form is designed to be printed and filled out by hand. Handwritten entries with real signatures are what the testing officer expects. If you type the form, make sure you still print it and have both you and your supervising driver sign it in pen.

Can my parent sign off on hours they did not actually supervise?

No. Each signature means that person was present and supervising during that driving session. Falsifying the log is fraud and can result in your permit being revoked and legal consequences. Log only the hours you actually drove with a supervising driver present.

What if I turn 18 before I finish my 50 hours?

You still need to complete the 50 hours and bring the signed log to your road test, even after you turn 18. The requirement does not change based on your age — it is part of Florida's graduated licensing system for all new drivers.