Florida, like many other states, has a Graduated Drivers License (GDL) program to allow teen drivers of 15 years or older to safely gain driving experience and receive an unrestricted driver’s license by age 18.

Most teens look forward to their first time behind the wheel—not only does it mark a new stage in life, but it also comes with newfound freedom. However, before letting them hop into the driver’s seat, it’s important to know the legal driving age in your state.

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so that you're covered—no matter your age.

What is the driving age in Florida?

Florida has a minimum driving age of 15 years old to begin the Graduated Drivers License program. Drivers must be 18 to apply for a standard unrestricted driver’s license.

What is the Graduated Drivers License program in Florida?

Motor vehicle crashes are one of the top leading causes of death among young drivers, according to the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC). To help reduce the high rate of collisions involving teenagers, Florida was the first US state to implement the Graduated Drivers License program (GDL) in 1996.

Through the GDL program, young drivers progressively gain driving experience before obtaining full driving privileges. In general, the GDL program will include three stages:

Instruction permit stage: driving under supervision

Provisional license stage: limited unsupervised driving with driving restrictions

Full license stage: unrestricted standard driver’s license

MORE: Driving in Florida: Tips, tricks, and laws

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How to get your instruction permit in Florida

All drivers under the age of 18 must go through the GDL program through the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This restricts young drivers to the different phases as they progress toward earning their full driver’s license. You’ll need to provide the necessary documents when applying for your learner’s permit at a

Florida DMV location

Here are the requirements to obtain a learner’s permit:

You must be at least 15 years old

If you’re under 18 years old, you must provide a signed/notarized

Parental Consent Form

Provide proof of

Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course

completion

Pass a vision and hearing test conducted in a

service center

Pass the

Class E Knowledge Exam

Provide

acceptable documents

for your proof of identity, proof of SIN, and proof of address

You can prepare for your knowledge exam by using the

Florida Driver License Handbook

and taking the

practice test

. You must score 80 percent (40 out of 50 questions) to pass the exam. If you fail, you can retake the test, but there will be a retesting fee of $10, plus a $6.25 service fee if it’s done at a tax collector’s office.

Once you pass the knowledge test, you’ll obtain your learner’s license.

Provisional instruction permit restrictions

A learner’s permit will give you

restricted driving privileges

. The learner’s permit will be held for a minimum of 12 months or until your 18th birthday, whichever comes first.

In the first three months of obtaining your permit, you can only drive during daylight hours. After the first three months, you’ll be able to drive between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm. Keep in mind that you must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or old at all times.

MORE: Your questions about teenage car insurance, answered

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How to get your provisional driver’s license in Florida

You are required to gain 50 hours of supervised driving, with 10 hours at night to proceed to the next stage in the GDL program. These hours can be tracked using the

practice log sheet

Here are the requirements to obtain a Florida driver’s license:

You must be at least 16 years old

Hold a Florida instruction permit for at least 12 months or reach age 18, whichever comes first

A parent, legal guardian, or responsible adult over 21 years old must complete the

Certification of Minor Driving Experience Form

to certify your 50 hours of driving experience, of which 10 hours must be at night.

Must have NO moving violation convictions for one year from learner’s license date of issue—one moving violation is permitted if the adjudication was withheld

Pass the

Class E Driving Skills Test

Must have valid vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and pass the examiner’s vehicle inspection

Provide

acceptable documents

for your proof of identity, proof of SIN, and proof of address if it was not previously provided

If you fail, you can retake the driving test after 24 hours. There is a $20 retesting fee and a $6.25 service fee if the transaction is completed in a tax collector’s office. You’ll have five attempts to pass your driving test before being asked to re-apply for the permit.

Key Takeaway Bring your learner’s permit, certification of minor driving experience form, and have enough practice to pass your driving test and obtain your Florida driver’s license.

Provisional driver’s license restrictions

If you’ve obtained your restricted driver’s license, congratulations! Just be mindful that there are still limitations to your driving, depending on your age. Violating any of the restrictions could lead to penalties and license revocation:

16 years old: you may not drive between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am. Must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ unless driving to school or work.

17 years old: you may not drive between 1:00 am and 5:00 am. Must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ unless driving to school or work.

These restrictions are lifted once you reach the age of 18. You will then have an unrestricted driver’s license to legally drive in the Sunshine State.

Exceptions

Unfortunately, there are no exceptions to the GDL program and all young drivers must follow the program to obtain their full driver’s license.

MORE:

Worst cars for teenage drivers

How to save on car insurance in Florida

Once you’ve obtained your Florida driver’s license, you’ll unlock a new world of freedom! But you're first going to need insurance. You can get an independent policy, but if you're dealing with a teen, it's easier to add a teen driver to your car insurance. While this can be a tedious process, the comparison super app

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Can you get a Florida driver’s license at 16?

Yes. Teenagers in Florida can get a driver’s license at the age of 16 if they have held a learner’s license for at least 12 months. A Certification of Minor Driving Experience Form must also be provided to certify that the driver has 50 hours of driving experience, with 10 hours being at night. Finally, they must pass the Class E driving skills test and have no moving violation convictions.

Can you drive by yourself at 17 in Florida?

You cannot drive alone at 17 in Florida unless you are driving to school or work. Otherwise, you must have a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older with you in the front seat.

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