Florida Learner's License Rules for Teens and Adults

A Florida learner's license holder under 18 may drive only in daylight during the first three months, and until 10 p.m. after that, according to the state driver handbook. The handbook places those limits under its minor-driver sections, so adults should confirm with FLHSMV whether they apply. Under-18 applicants must also hold the license for 12 months or until their 18th birthday, whichever comes first.

Learner's permit in Florida: minimum age and who can apply

The minimum age for a Florida learner's license is 15 (Florida handbook p. 8). If you are under 18 and not married, a parent or legal guardian must sign the application in front of a driver license agent or notary. Under-18 applicants must also be in compliance with school attendance. Parental consent is not required for applicants 18 and older.

Male U.S. citizens and immigrants aged 18 to 25 must comply with Selective Service when applying for a learner's license.

Drivers permit in Florida: the course you need before applying

The handbook says all applicants must complete TLSAE, but that is out of date for under-18s. As of August 1, 2025, anyone under 18 who has never held a driver license from any state, country or jurisdiction must complete a 6-hour DETS course before applying. DETS can be taken in person or online, and the official DETS page lists approved providers, currently four internet providers.

The DETS change has these exceptions for under-18s:

• Anyone who already holds a valid out-of-state license is not affected.
• Anyone who already held a Florida learner's license before August 1, 2025 is not affected.
• Anyone who completed TLSAE before August 1, 2025 may use that certificate for one year after the completion date. After that, DETS is required.
• Anyone who takes TLSAE on or after August 1, 2025 still needs DETS, unless they are enrolled in an FDOE Traffic Safety Classroom 1900300 or 1900310 course, or in a DELAP course offered by some county school boards. Contact your local school board to find out whether its DELAP course substitutes for DETS.

Adults who have never held a driver license anywhere must complete TLSAE before applying. The official page does not state the age split. The length of TLSAE is not confirmed on an official FLHSMV page, so check with FLHSMV or your course provider before you sign up.

Florida learner's permit rules at a glance

• Minimum age: 15.
• Under 18: a parent or guardian signs the application, and the applicant must be in compliance with school attendance.
• First three months (under-18 learners, per the handbook): daylight driving only. Adults should confirm with FLHSMV.
• After three months (under-18 learners, per the handbook): driving until 10 p.m. Adults should confirm with FLHSMV.
• Supervision: a licensed driver aged 21 or older, seated in the closest seat to the right of the driver. The handbook places this under the minor-driver sections, so adults should confirm with FLHSMV.
• Holding period (under 18): 12 months or until the 18th birthday, whichever comes first.

Can you drive at night with a learner's permit in Florida?

For under-18 learners, the handbook allows driving only in daylight during the first three months. After three months, driving is allowed until 10 p.m. The handbook does not allow night driving for these learners during the first three months, and it does not set a later start time than 10 p.m.

The handbook also requires a licensed driver aged 21 or older, seated in the closest seat to the right of the driver, to accompany a learner's license holder. This rule sits under the same minor-driver sections, so adult learners should confirm with FLHSMV whether it applies to them.

The notes do not confirm the supervising driver's years of licensure, passenger limits, or whether learners may drive out of state. Check those with FLHSMV before you drive.

How long do you have to have your permit before you get your license in Florida?

For under-18 applicants, the learner's license must be held for 12 months or until the 18th birthday, whichever comes first. FLHSMV's Class E page states it as one year from the issuance date, or age 18. The handbook also says the learner must have no moving traffic violation convictions for 12 months from the issue date. One violation is allowed if adjudication is withheld.

A parent, guardian or responsible adult aged 21 or older must certify at least 50 hours of driving experience, including 10 hours at night. The handbook's front page says 10 of the 50 hours 'should be' at night, while page 8 says the certification must show 10 hours at night. Because the handbook says both, confirm the requirement with FLHSMV before you log hours.

The handbook lists the 12-month holding period and the 50-hour certification only for under-18 applicants. It has no equivalent for adults, so adults should ask FLHSMV how long they must hold a learner's license.

The skills test requires a vehicle with valid registration, insurance and a passing basic inspection. The official page says to keep four seconds of following distance, while the handbook's driving-test section says three to four seconds. Practice to the four-second figure from the official page.

The Florida knowledge test

The Class E Knowledge Exam has 50 multiple-choice questions on Florida traffic laws, safe driving practices, and identifying traffic controls. You need 40 correct, or 80 percent, to pass. The exam time limit and the waiting period between failed attempts are not confirmed on official pages, so ask FLHSMV or your provider.

From February 6, 2026, all knowledge and skills exams are English only, with no translation services or interpreters, according to FLHSMV's announcement. The Class E page still lists other languages, but it appears outdated on this point.

Under-18s may take the test online through an approved third-party administrator. Online tests require a Parent Proctoring Form, which must be notarized or signed in front of a driver license examiner. Students of all ages may take the test with an approved provider in an in-person, proctored setting. Adults can test at a driver license service center, and DELAP is available at participating high schools.

A passing third-party score is reported to FLHSMV automatically. The passer may be randomly selected for a no-fee mandatory retest at a service center or tax collector office. A failed mandatory re-test requires a re-exam fee at the next attempt. The written retest fee is $10 (handbook p. 15). Vision and knowledge exams are both required for a learner's license.

If you want to practice the 50 questions before test day, GetMyPermit has a Florida practice test.

Fees and documents

The original learner's license fee is $48 according to handbook p. 14. That figure has not been re-checked against a current official fee page, so confirm it with FLHSMV before you pay.

All applicants must bring primary ID, proof of Social Security number or secondary ID, and two Florida residential address documents. Photocopies and notarized copies are not accepted. Under-18 applicants using the online route must also submit the signed Parent Proctoring Form.

Rules after the learner's license

These restrictions apply to licensed 16- and 17-year-old drivers, according to the handbook. A 16-year-old may not drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., except to or from work or with a licensed driver aged 21 or older. A 17-year-old may not drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., with the same exceptions. Under 18, six or more points within 12 months brings a one-year Business Purposes Only restriction.

Texting while driving is illegal for all drivers in Florida. Under 18, a motorcycle license requires holding a learner's license for 12 months with no moving violation convictions before a Motorcycle Only license is issued.

Sources

• Florida Driver License Handbook (English)
• FLHSMV Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) page
• FLHSMV Class E Knowledge Exam and Driving Skills Test
• FLHSMV English-only exams announcement
• FLHSMV frequently asked questions
• FLHSMV driver improvement schools