Bad Weather Driving Practice for Learner Drivers

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Start bad-weather practice once your teen handles normal daytime traffic well, and begin with light rain on quiet roads in daylight. From there, add busier roads, highways, fog and snow one step at a time, and record the weather on every drive. Two states, Pennsylvania and South Dakota, go further and require a set number of bad-weather hours before the next license stage.

This guide lays out a practice ladder from drizzle to snow, what to work on in each condition, when to call a drive off, and how to log it all so the hours hold up when a parent signs.

Road44, the driving log app mentioned near the end, is our app. We checked state rules on state DMV pages, forms and statutes in September 2026. Rules change, so confirm yours with your state’s DMV or licensing agency. This guide covers US learner-permit practice only, always with a supervisor who meets your state’s rules.

Bad-weather hours: only Pennsylvania and South Dakota require them

Both states count the weather hours as part of the supervised total. Pennsylvania requires “no less than 10 hours of nighttime driving and five hours of bad weather driving” within 65 hours for learners under 18. South Dakota says “Ten of the mandated hours must be in inclement weather,” out of 50.

State	Bad-weather hours	Total / night	Who signs off	Source
Pennsylvania	5 hours of “inclement weather driving”	65 / 10 (under 18)	Parent or guardian, on the DL-180C certification	PA Driver’s Manual, DL-180C
South Dakota	10 hours “in inclement weather”	50 / at least 10 at night, for permits issued after July 1, 2020	A parent or legal guardian “shall attest in writing” before the restricted minor’s permit	SDCL 32-12-11, SD DPS handout

Alaska’s rule is broader, and weather is only one way to meet it. AS 28.15.055 asks for 40 hours, “including at least 10 hours of driving in progressively challenging circumstances, such as driving in inclement weather and nighttime driving.” Its Form 433 lists “(snow, ice, rain, darkness, etc.)” for those 10 hours, so night driving alone can meet it.

Most states set no separate weather minimum. In the IIHS graduated licensing table, only Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Alaska mention weather in the supervised-driving minimum. The states we checked on their own sites, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Ohio and Michigan, set a total and usually a night-hours minimum, with no weather hours.

Some states that don’t require bad-weather practice still recommend it. Maryland’s practice guide says, “If possible, plan to allow your new driver to practice in bad weather.” California’s teen driver page puts it on the readiness checklist: “Have we practiced in bad weather?”

Neither state defines bad weather

Pennsylvania uses three different phrases: “inclement weather” on the DL-180C, “bad weather” in its manual and “poor weather conditions” on its Young Driver page. None of those pages explains what counts. South Dakota’s statute is silent too.

If you aren’t sure whether wet roads after a shower or a light drizzle count, ask your state agency before you rely on those hours. For total and night hours in 12 states, see our guide to how long 50 supervised hours take. Our supervised driving hours calculator doesn’t track Pennsylvania’s bad-weather hours, so count those separately.

Build up in stages: a practice ladder from drizzle to snow

Rain comes first because most weather-related crashes happen in it. Working from five-year averages for 2019 to 2023 based on NHTSA data, the Federal Highway Administration counts nearly 745,000 weather-related crashes a year, about 12 percent of all motor vehicle crashes. Over 77 percent of those happen in rain or mist. On average, over 3,800 people are killed in weather-related crashes each year.

Don’t start until ordinary driving is solid. CHOP’s Teen Driver Source suggests adding heavy rain, snow and ice only after a learner has shown competence in its six daytime practice environments. PennDOT’s parent guide, PUB 385A, moves to highway driving in rain only once the teen is “comfortable with and proficient at highway driving in good conditions.”

The ladder below combines advice from the Pennsylvania, Michigan and Maryland guides. The order is our own suggestion, so adjust it to your teen:

Wet pavement in daylight, in an empty lot or on a quiet street. Work on wipers, headlights, the defroster, gentle braking and a longer following distance. Light rain, or wet roads just after it stops, is plenty.
Light rain on familiar roads. Stick to neighborhood streets and two-lane roads you already drive. When that starts to feel routine, try the same route at dusk.
Moderate rain on busier roads. Multi-lane roads and city traffic add spray, glare and other drivers’ mistakes.
The highway in rain, at a light-traffic time. Save this for after the highway is easy in good weather. PennDOT’s advice for this lesson: “Coach them to always use appropriate caution, as conditions can change quickly.”
Light fog on roads you know. Dense fog stays off the list (see below).
Snow and ice, after the roads are cleared. Michigan’s winter lesson says to “Begin in a large, level, mostly empty area. Move to quiet neighborhood streets, busier multi-lane roads, urban areas and freeways when you feel your teen is ready.”

Expect each rung to take several drives. It’s normal to drop back a step after a tense one.

For the first drive in each new condition, be in the car yourself. PUB 385A puts it plainly: “It’s best that you are there with your teen to provide guidance in these situations before they experience them on their own.”

What to practice in rain, fog, snow and wind

These tips come from state DMV guides and the National Weather Service. Go over them before you pull out. Halfway through a merge is the wrong time.

Rain and wet roads

Start with PennDOT’s basics from PUB 385A: “Turn on the wipers as soon as the windshield becomes wet,” and “Turn on the low-beam headlights; this helps others see you.” Pennsylvania and Michigan both say to stretch the following distance to five or six seconds.

Brake early. Maryland’s advice: “Brake earlier and less forcefully than you normally would.”
Slow down for curves and intersections, and run the defroster so the windows don’t fog.
Turn off cruise control, as Michigan’s Supervised Driving Guide says.
Take extra care as rain starts. Michigan explains that water, dust, oil and leaves make the road slippery when rain begins, and “The road is most slippery after it begins raining.”
Watch for signs of hydroplaning. PennDOT lists them: “If you can see deep water on the road, reflections on the pavement, or that the car ahead leaves no tracks on the water, these are indications you could hydroplane. Prevent this by slowing down.”

Headlight rules differ by state, so look up yours. California: “You must turn on your headlights if snow, rain, fog, or low visibility (1000 feet or less) require the continuous use of windshield wipers.” Connecticut’s 2023 Driver’s Manual keeps it short: “Remember, if you turn on your wipers, turn on your headlights. It’s the law.”

Fog

PennDOT says to “Use low-beam lights and fog lights if your vehicle has them.” High beams reflect off the fog and cause glare, PennDOT explains, and the National Weather Service is blunt about it: “Never use your high-beam lights.”

Match speed to sight distance. PennDOT: “Slow down until your speed matches your ability to see, even if it means slowing to a crawl.”
Use the paint. NWS: “To ensure you are staying in the proper lane, follow the lines on the road with your eyes.”
Have an exit plan. In near-zero visibility, NWS says to turn on the hazard lights first, then pull into a safe spot such as a business parking lot and stop.

Snow and ice

Clear the whole car before you leave, roof and lights included. The National Weather Service says, “Make sure your vehicle is completely clear of ice or snow before starting the trip.”

Start gently. PennDOT says to “keep the wheels straight ahead and accelerate gently to avoid spinning the tires.”
Leave far more room. PennDOT: “Stopping distances can be up to 10 times greater in ice and snow.” Begin slowing long before the stop, and “Try to brake only when traveling in a straight line.”
Find the icy spots first. Michigan: “Bridges and overpasses freeze before other road surfaces due to the air flowing underneath them.” Shaded stretches can stay icy when the rest of the road is clear.
Give plows space. PennDOT: “When you see lights from a snow plow, slow down and use caution.”
Treat wet-looking roads as slick. NWS: “Slow down! Even if the roads just look wet they could still be slick.”

Skids and anti-lock brakes

Michigan says to “Consult your owner’s manual to see if your vehicle has an antilock brake system.” Do that together before the first snow drive. Then talk through what to do in a skid, even if you never need it. Here is NWS’s guidance:

“If you are driving and begin to skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas and turn your wheels in the direction you want the front of the car to go. If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brake pedal. Never pump the brakes on an ABS equipped vehicle.”

Wind

California keeps this one simple: “When it is very windy, it is smart to drive slower than normal.” Lighter cars, vans and high-sided trucks get pushed around the most, so give them extra room when you pass.

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When to cancel the drive

Aim for supervised time in the kind of weather your teen will meet on their own, and skip the worst of it. CHOP’s Teen Driver Source makes the same point: picking another route or skipping the drive when the weather turns bad is fine.

Call the drive off for any of these:

Water over the road. The National Weather Service warns: “It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters.” Michigan’s guide adds that six inches of water can cause a vehicle to lose control and possibly stall.
Road barriers. NWS: “Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road. The road may have collapsed under that water.”
Dense fog. California: “If you can avoid driving in fog, please do. Consider postponing your trip until the fog clears.”
Active snowstorms and untreated roads. PennDOT: “It’s best to stay off the roads until they are cleared and treated.”
Downpours that shrink your view. California: “In heavy rain or a snowstorm, you may not be able to see more than 100 feet ahead.” At that point the lesson can wait.

Your teen’s nerves count too. Maryland’s wet-road rules for new drivers include: “If you can’t see the road or the car in front of you, or you are feeling anxious, pull over to a safe spot.” NWS gives the same advice about visibility: “pull over to the side of the road and stop your car until visibility improves.” Knowing when to stop is part of what you’re teaching.

How to log weather on every drive

Log a bad-weather drive the same way as any other, then add the conditions:

date, start time, end time and total minutes
day or night
the weather (rain, snow, fog, ice, wind)
road type (residential, rural, highway and so on)
skills practiced
who supervised
a note on what went well and what needs work

Some official logs already ask for this. Florida’s Learner’s License Driving Log has a “Weather Condition” column, and the sample log in Michigan’s Supervised Driving Guide has “Weather Conditions.” Neither state requires weather hours, so the column is there to show coverage.

Partial-weather drives need care. If only 15 minutes of a 60-minute drive were in rain, don’t count all 60 toward Pennsylvania’s or South Dakota’s minimum. Note the rainy minutes, or log that stretch as its own entry with its own start and end times. No state form explains how partial drives count, so err on the honest side.

Rain at night is a gray area. Pennsylvania’s DL-180C and South Dakota’s statute don’t say whether one rainy night drive counts toward both the night and the weather minimum. Ask PennDOT or South Dakota’s Department of Public Safety, and log both the night and the weather so you can count it either way.

If your state sets a number, keep a running count: 5 of 65 in Pennsylvania, 10 of 50 plus 10 at night in South Dakota, and 10 challenging hours of 40 in Alaska. Everywhere else, a monthly coverage check is enough. Check whether you’ve covered rain, the highway in rain, fog and snow yet.

Who signs varies too, and each state words the certification a little differently:

Pennsylvania: a parent or guardian signs the DL-180C, which says the driving “was given by a licensed driver(s) 21 years of age or older.” A notary is needed only if the parent or guardian isn’t going with the teen to the skills test.
South Dakota: a parent or legal guardian “shall attest in writing.”
Alaska: the statute accepts proof from a parent, legal guardian or employer. Form 433, the parent/guardian consent form, carries the certification line, notarized if the parent isn’t at the DMV.

In every case, the log is what makes the signature honest.

If you’re weighing paper against a phone app, see driving log template vs app.

If you log with Road44, each drive has a free weather field (Clear, Rain, Snow, Fog, Ice, Wind) alongside road types, skills practiced, a day/night flag and notes. With conditions switched on, the free logbook export shows each drive’s road types, weather and skills to whoever signs. The weather tag and the night flag cover the whole drive, so log mixed drives in pieces. (Live drives set the night flag from the start time, and you can switch it by hand.) There’s no weather-hours goal. Grouped weather totals appear only on the Insights screen in the paid Pro subscription, so free users add up weather hours from the export. It’s a personal record, not an official or certified logbook.

Plan around the seasons

Weather doesn’t follow a permit calendar. Pennsylvania’s permit period is at least six months, and South Dakota’s DPS handout sets “275 days (or 180 days after passing driver’s ed)” for permits issued July 1, 2020, or after. A six-month permit like Pennsylvania’s that runs from spring into fall can reach the next license stage without a single snowy day.

PUB 385A’s advice fits: “Don’t try to compress all the driving time in one or two months.” Maryland’s guide admits the limits: “You may not get to practice all of these skills before your new driver obtains a provisional license.” Take the rainy days when they come.

We found no waiver for families whose permit period stays dry. The only exception on the forms we read is Pennsylvania’s for motorcycle permits, where a safety course replaces the night and bad-weather hours. If you’re running short on weather hours, ask your state agency well before the test date.

A simple routine:

Check the forecast weekly from the first month of the permit.
Say yes to the first safe light-rain day, even for a short loop.
Run the coverage check each month and aim the next drive at whatever’s missing.
Keep your count current if you’re in Pennsylvania or South Dakota.

The next time light rain shows up on a day your teen is ready, start at rung one in an empty lot or on a quiet street, and write the weather down when you log the drive. In Pennsylvania or South Dakota, add it to your running count against the state minimum.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do learner drivers need bad-weather driving hours?

Only two states set a separate bad-weather minimum. Pennsylvania requires 5 of its 65 hours in inclement weather for learners under 18. South Dakota requires 10 of 50 hours in inclement weather, plus 10 at night, before a restricted minor's permit. Alaska asks for 10 of 40 hours in 'progressively challenging circumstances', which can be bad weather or night driving, so it isn't a weather-only rule. Most states set no weather minimum, just a total and usually a night-hours minimum. Rules change, so check with your state's licensing agency.

What counts as inclement weather for permit hours?

Pennsylvania's certification form, driver's manual and parent guide don't define it, and South Dakota's statute doesn't either. Alaska's Form 433 lists snow, ice, rain and darkness. If you're unsure whether light drizzle or wet roads count, ask your state agency before relying on those hours.

Can a rainy night drive count toward both night hours and bad-weather hours?

Neither Pennsylvania's DL-180C nor South Dakota's statute says. Ask PennDOT or South Dakota's Department of Public Safety. In the meantime, log both the night flag and the weather on that drive so you can count it whichever way the agency tells you.

When should a learner start driving in the rain?

Once they handle normal daytime driving well, including busier roads. Start with light rain on quiet streets in daylight, then work up to busier roads. PennDOT's parent guide adds highway driving in rain only after the teen is comfortable and proficient on highways in good conditions.

How do I teach my teen to drive in snow?

Wait until the roads are cleared and treated, and clear all snow and ice off the car first. Start in a large, level, mostly empty area and practice straight-wheel starts, gentle acceleration and braking in a straight line. Michigan's winter lesson then moves to quiet streets, busier roads and freeways as the teen is ready.

Should a learner driver practice in fog?

Only in light fog on familiar roads, if at all. California's DMV says to avoid driving in fog if you can. If you're caught in it, use low beams and never high beams, slow down, and follow the lines on the road. The National Weather Service says that in near-zero visibility you should turn on your hazard lights and pull into a safe spot, such as a parking lot.

What if it never snows or rains during our permit period?

No state form or page we checked offers a waiver for weather hours. The only exception we found is Pennsylvania's, for motorcycle permits. Start watching the forecast early in the permit period, take the first safe light-rain day, and ask your state agency if you're running out of time.

How should I log a bad-weather practice drive?

Record the date, start and end times, total minutes, day or night, the weather, the road type, the skills practiced, who supervised and a short note. If only part of the drive was in rain, note those minutes or log that stretch as its own entry so you don't overcount.