Teen Driving Information

Every person under 18 years old MUST hold a Learner's License for one year; there are NO exceptions to this law. No person may drive alone with a Learner's License -- regardless of age. Traffic crashes are the number one killer of teens. With so many teens being injured or killed on our nation's roadways, teen driving safety has become a national priority and a top concern for parents.

Learner's License - To earn a learner's license, you must be at least 15 years old 

You must provide :

• One primary and one secondary form of identification, which must be original or certified,
• Social Security Number, if issued,
• Proof that you completed a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course (check your local yellow pages under 'Driving Instruction' for a location near you) or a license from another jurisdiction, and
• Parental Consent Form, which must be signed in the presence of a driver license examiner or notarized if parent or guardian will not be present (form is located at www.hsmv.state.fl.us/html/forms.html). If you are under 18 and are not married one parent or legal guardian must sign your license application. Step-parents may not sign unless they have legally adopted you.

You are required to take:

• A Written Test covering the following areas:
  • Road Rules - 20 multiple choice questions about traffic laws - must have 15 correct answers to pass.
  • Road Signs - 20 multiple choice questions about road signs - must have 15 correct answers to pass.
• Vision Test 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 Test

With your Learner's License, you may:

Only drive during daylight hours during the first three months and until 10 p.m. thereafter, always with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat.

Operator's License (16 and 17 year old) - To earn an operator's license, you must be at least 16 years old AND have held a learner's license for at least one year without any traffic convictions.

You must provide:

• A Florida Learner's License or a license from another jurisdiction.
• Parent or guardian certification that you have at least 50 hours of behind the wheel driving experience, of which 10 hours must be at night.

You are required to take:

• Driving test and perform certain driving maneuvers. Please refer to the Florida Driver Handbook for specifics or present a waiver from an accepted driver education course.

With your Operator's License, you may:

• 16 years old - only drive between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat, or you are traveling to or from work.
• 17 years old - only drive between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger seat, or you are traveling to or from work.

Driving is a Privilege - Don't Lose It

There are a number of infractions that can cause you to lose or restrict your driving privileges. The following are of particular interest to teen drivers.

• If you receive a traffic conviction while you have a Learner's License, the one year period you are required to hold your Learner's License will be extended for one year from the date of the conviction or until you are 18 years old, whichever happens first.
• If you receive 6 points on your driving record within a 12 month period, your driving privileges are automatically restricted to business purposes only for 12 months or until you are 18, whichever happens first. If you receive additional points during this restricted period, the restriction is extended 90 days for each additional point.
• If you have a blood alcohol level of .02% or more (applies to those under age 21), an administrative suspension of six months will result.
• If you are truant in your school attendance, your driving privilege is suspended until you provide proof you have attended school for 30 consecutive days.
• If you are convicted for possession of tobacco products (applies to those under age 18).

Driving Violations and Points

Speeding

• Less than 15 mph over the speed limit 
  3 points
• More than 15 mph over the speed limit 
  4 points
• Speeding resulting in an crash 
  6 points

Moving Violation

• Moving violation (includes driving during restricted hours) 
  3 points
• Moving violation resulting in a crash 
  3 points
• Reckless driving 
  4 points
• Improper lane change 
  3 points

Zero Tolerance for DUI

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