Teen Driving And The Law

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Laws Affecting The Learner's License

Effective October 1, 2000, customers under 18 years of age applying for their operator's license are required to:

• Hold a learner's license for 12 months or until 18th birthday

• Not incur any traffic convictions

• Be certified by parent or guardian to have at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training, at least 10 of which must be at night.

Teens with learner's license issued before October 1 are exempt from the above requirements. Teens issued a traffic citation can elect to attend a traffic driving school to avoid a conviction.

Driving privileges for 15, 16, 17 year olds

At 15 years old you may earn a Florida Learner's Driver's License which

• Must be held for at least 12 months before full licensing until you are 18 years old (effective 10-1-2000).

• Allows daytime driving only (three months after license issuance teen can drive until 10 p.m.) with a licensed driver 21 years or older seated closest to you.

• Is valid for 6 years and renewable 

NOTE: Possession of a learner's license does not permit operation of a motorcycle, moped, motor driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.

At 16 years old you may earn a Florida Operator's Driver's License which

• Can be earned only after you have had a learner's driver's license for at least 12 months without a traffic conviction (effective 10-1-2000).

• Parent or guardian certifies that applicant has at least 50 hours of behind the wheel driving experience, 10 hours of which must be at night.

• Does not allow driving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless you have a licensed driver 21 years or older seated closest to you or you are driving to or from work.

At 17 years old you may earn a Florida Operating Driver License which

• Can be earned only after you have had a learner's driver's license for at least 12 months without a traffic conviction (effective 10-1-2000).

• Parent or guardian certifies that applicant has at least 50 hours of behind the wheel driving experience, 10 hours of which must be at night.

• Does not allow driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless you have a licensed driver 21 years or older seated closest to you or are driving to or from work.

Driving is a Privilege - Don't Lose It

While there are a number of infractions, which can result in the denial of driving privileges, the following are of particular interest to teen drivers:

• 16 year old drivers may not drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless there is a licensed driver at least 21 years old in the front passenger seat or they are going to or coming home from work.

• 17 year old drivers may not drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless there is a licensed driver at least 21 years old in the front passenger seat of they are going to or coming home from work.

• Any person less than 18 years old MUST wear a seat belt while driving or riding in a motor vehicle

• Any 15, 16 or 17 year old driver who accumulates 4 points on their driving record within a 12-month period will have their license restricted for one year. This period is extended for 90 days for each additional point accumulated during the restriction.

• Any person under 21 who drives with a blood or breath alcohol level of .01 will have their license suspended immediately for 6 months for the first offense and 1 year thereafter. A refusal to submit to a test is an automatic suspension for 1 year for the first refusal and 18 months for subsequent refusals.

• If you are truant in your school attendance.

• If you are convicted for possession of tobacco products (applies to those under age 18).

Driving Violations and Points

Zero Tolerance for DUI

Drivers under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol level of .02% or more will have their license suspended immediately for six months. This administrative action is for a first offense; a second offense will result in a year suspension. Refusal to submit to testing, first offense, results in a suspension of twelve months; eighteen months on a second offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I get my learner's/operator's license?

The minimum age to receive a learner's permit is 15 years old. Teens who are 16 years or older can receive an operator's license if he/she:

Has held learner's driver's license for at least 12 months without a traffic conviction (effective 10-1-2000).

Parent or guardian certifies that teen has at least 50 hours of behind the wheel driving experience, 10 hours of which must be at night.

What do I need to bring to get my license?

Applicants under age 18 must provide:

• One primary and one secondary form of identification, must be original or certified copy. The identification must show your legal name and date of birth.

• Social Security number, if issued.

• Proof of completion of a Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education Course or, license from another jurisdiction.

• Parental Consent Form - must be notarized or signed in the presence of a driver license examiner.

Note: if you are under age 18 and are not married, one parent or legal guardian must sign your license application. Stepparents may not sign for you unless they have legally adopted you.

What will be I tested on? What do the tests cover?

Teens applying for their operator’s license (Class E) will be tested in the following areas:

• Road Rules - 20 questions (multiple choice answers) regarding traffic laws; must have 15 correct answers to pass.

• Road Signs - 20 questions (multiple choice answers) regarding road signs; must have 15 correct answers to pass.

• Vision - using an eye machine; to pass you must have 20/40 (or better) vision in each and both eyes, with or without corrective lenses.

• Hearing

• Driving test - applicant will be required to perform certain driving maneuvers. Please refer to the driver license handbook for specifics.

When can I drive by myself?

Teens with a learner's permit are required to drive with licensed driver 21 years or older seated closest to you at all times; regardless if the teen is 15 or 17 years old. Teens with a operator's license can drive by themselves only during designated hours (look at the back of the driver license for the specific times) or if they are driving directly to or from work.

My child has received a notice from the department saying his license will be suspended for not attending school. What do I do?

The Florida Legislature enacted requirements (Section 322.091, F.S.) that students who attain the age of 14 and accumulate 15 unexcused absences in a period of 90 calendar days be ineligible to receive or maintain driving privileges.

The Department of Education has issued a document, which includes frequently asked questions and a reinstatement form. For your convenience these items are available below. You will need Acrobat Reader in order to view.

Department of Education Technical Assistance Paper

For more information regarding truancy suspensions, please call (850) 488-4579 or (850) 488-3288. The department will also accept the needed reinstatement documents via fax at (850) 414-4573.

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