Florida Drivers License Instructions

DMV got you confused? Check out our easy instructions for earning your Florida drivers license.

1. Take an DHSMV-approved First Time Driver Florida Drivers Education Course

2. Study for the Florida learners permit / learners license test

3. Apply for the Florida learners permit / learners license

4. Practice driving under supervision

5. Take the driving test for your Florida drivers license

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5

1. Take a DHSMV-approved First Time Driver Florida Drivers Ed Course

In order to get your Florida learners license, all first time drivers (regardless of age) must complete a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course (TLSAE), which will earn you a DHSMV-recognized Certificate of Completion.

DriversEd.com offers an online Florida drivers education course which satisfies the TLSAE requirement. When you complete our First Time Driver Alcohol and Drugs Accident Prevention Training (ADAPT), you will receive a First Time Driver Certificate of Completion, which is required in order to earn your Florida learners permit and ultimately your Florida drivers license.

Note: You must be at least 14½ years old to take the Florida First Time Driver ADAPT course to satisfy the TLSAE requirement.

2. Study for the Florida learners permit / learners license test

In order to get the Florida learners permit and eventually the Florida drivers license, everyone no matter how old must pass a written test on traffic laws and signs. 70% of test-takers fail on their first try and end up returning to the DMV.

A proven way to increase your chances of passing your learners permit test is with up-to-date online Florida DHSMV practice permit tests. Randomly generated questions test your driving knowledge and prepare you for the real deal.

Fifty online practice permit tests come free with our Florida First Time Driver ADAPT Course or can be purchased separately.

3. Apply for the Florida learners permit / learners license

Apply for your learners permit at your local DHSMV.

To be eligible for a Florida learners license, you must:

Be at least 15 years old.
Submit a completed Parent Consent Form A (available at the DSHMV field office). This form must be signed in the presence of a drivers license examiner or notarized if your parent or guardian cannot be present. If you are under 18 and are not married, one parent or legal guardian must sign this application. Stepparents may not sign unless they have legally adopted you.
Provide your Social Security Number with one of the following:
- State-Issued Permit or ID with number listed
- Social Security Card
- Social Security Benefits Documentation
Provide proof of name and date of birth with one of the following primary forms of identification:
- Certified U.S. birth certificate
- U.S. Passport
- Certificate of Naturalization
- United States Military ID cards with an officer rank will be accepted as proof of citizenship only; however, not as proof of primary identification.
Provide a secondary form of identification.
Present your First Time Driver Certificate of Completion.
Be ready to have your picture taken.
Give a thumb print.
Pass a hearing test.
Pass a vision test.
Pass a written exam 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.

Note: All documents provided to the DHSMV must be originals or certified copies.

After you pass the written exam, you’ll be issued a learners license to practice driving. Your learners license will carry the following restrictions:

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

4. Practice driving under supervision

After you earn your learners license, you’ll need to practice driving under supervision. If you’re under 18, you will need to hold your learners license for at least 12 months during which time you must complete at least 50 hours (10 at night) of practice driving with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old.

Want to make this supervised driving period as stress-free as possible? Our Behind-the-Wheel Training Guide directs parents step-by-step through the process of teaching their teen to drive.

It also comes with a FREE passenger-side rear-view mirror that lets you see exactly what your teen sees while driving.

Note: In Florida, the DHSMV does not require new drivers to take behind-the-wheel training with a driving school. However, for your safety and the safety of those around you, DriversEd.com strongly recommends that you take driving lessons with a licensed driving school.

5. Take the driving test for your Florida drivers license

Once you are ready to take the driving test, schedule your driving skills test at your local DHSMV.

To be eligible to take the driving test, you must:

Be at least 16 years old.
Have held your learners license for at least one year (if under 18) and completed all required drivers education and behind-the-wheel training.
Bring your Florida learners license.
Have your parent or your guardian accompany you to sign the Affidavit for Minor to Be Licensed, which states that you have completed the required training (at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving experience, 10 of which must be at night).
Show proof of personal injury protection insurance and a valid vehicle registration must be provided on the vehicle for the driving test.

Once you pass the driving skills test, you’ll be issued your operator’s license or Class E license for a fee of $20.

Third Party Testing

Students can also choose to complete their drivers license tests through DHSMV-approved Drivers Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP) courses in participating public or private schools. After taking the drivers license test, the drivers education teacher will enter the student’s results into the DHSMV’s records.

These results will be used by the local driver license office for issuance of a learners driver license or Class E drivers license. DHSMV may, however, test any student on a random basis before issuing a drivers license.

Operators License Restrictions

If you are 16 years old:

Driving is only allowed between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m.
During all other times, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old occupying the closest seat to the right of the driver or be traveling to or from work.

If you are 17 years old:

Driving is only allowed between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m.
During all other times, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old occupying the closest seat to the right of the driver or be traveling to or from work.

DriversEd.com is a privately held company and is in no way associated with the Department of Motor Vehicles or any other government agency. DriversEd.com does not claim any responsibility for the accuracy of the drivers license information posted within or for the business practices associated with any other schools listed on the DriversEd.com site. For up-to-date information, please consult your local Department of Motor Vehicles or vehicle registration agency. Also, DriversEd.com is not liable for any information or claims posted within third party links.