A new law for drivers under the age of 21 will go into effect on Feb. 1.

It requires student drivers to have a certain amount of practice driving ahead of getting their license and must be signed off by a parent or guardian.

Young drivers would typically get their learner’s permit and then after six months get a probationary license after passing a driving test. They must now also complete 50 hours of practice driving – with 10 of those hours needing to be completed during hours of darkness.

The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission says it wants people to spend more time practicing before they can be granted a license.

“[The law] underscores the importance of putting time in behind the wheel, which is crucial for young drivers as they learn how to operate a vehicle,” NJMVC chief administrator Latrecia Littles-Floyd says. “More practice leads to safer, more capable drivers — which, in turn, leads to safer roads for all.”

The MVC won’t begin processing these supervised driving forms until Aug. 1, so if you already had your permit and plan to get your license before then you shouldn’t need to do this.