Florida Drivers Under 18
If you are a teen reaching the age to get their driver’s license, it is an exciting time. Nothing beats having the skill and knowledge to get behind the wheel. Although the process for getting your teen license is a bit more detailed then an adult driver, it is one that teens across Florida complete each day and with 4DMV.com we bring you all the information you need to know.Teens have to take special care to ensure that they drive responsibly. With one or more driving errors, you could have your driving privileges suspended and be off the road for quite some time. Not to mention, you must follow the guidelines of restricted hours and other safety measures to ensure that you learn to drive responsibly. Across the United State, the most likely cause of teen deaths is motor vehicle accidents. And drivers between the age of 16 to 19 have a 4 times higher chance of a fatal accident than older drivers.
In 1996 Florida adopted the Graduated Driver’s License Program which has the teen go through three stages before they are able to obtain their license. This ensures that the teen is responsible and can handle driving behind the wheel on the open roadways.
Graduated Driver’s License Program
Teens between the ages of 15 to 17 will have to complete the Graduated Driver’s License Program. To get their unrestricted Class E license. In order to complete the Florida Graduated Driver’s License Program you must:
- Complete a Traffic Law an substance Abuse Education course through either your school or a private company
- Apply for your learner’s license
- Complete behind the wheel practice driving that amounts to 50 hours total, with 10 of the hours being night time driving. You must have a licensed driver at least 21 years of age in the front passenger seat
- Although this step is not mandatory by the state, it is recommended and that is to take a driver’s training class which will allow you to bypass the driving test
- Have your learner’s license for at least one year before you apply for an Operator’s License
- Have the Operator’s License for one year
Teens New To The State
If you are a teen that is new to the state of Florida and hold a non provisional license from the state you are from, you will still need to go through the Florida Graduated Driver License Program. There is good news though, and that is that you can skip applying for your Learner’s License if you have held your license for a minimum of a year. If this applies to you, you can apply for your Operator’s License in Florida provided that you have already completed the state required Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course, Florida may still require that you take the driving written, driving, vision and hearing exams however.
If you are a teen that has relocated from another state and have taken your driver’s training in your previous state, you can have your driving test waived by contacting the Florida DHSMV office or the Florida DHSMV main customer service line at 850-617-2000 to see if you are eligible.
Obtaining Your Learner’s License
In order to obtain your learner’s license you need to prepare. This can be done by studying the Florida Driver Handbook. By studying the Florida Driver’s Manual, you will be prepared to take your written exam which is issued by the state. You will also need to make sure that you have taken your Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course and provide proof that you have passed. Other than, you will need a primary and secondary form of identification, your Social Security car or proof of your number, proof of your home address and a Parental Consent Form.
Once you have all this in order, you can then schedule an appointment online or call your local driver’s license office or the Florida HSMV main customer service line at 850-617-2000.
On test day, you will be required to pass the written tests and to pass both a hearing and vision test as well as make a payment of $27 to that will cover all three stages to obtain your licenses.
Your Learner’s License Restrictions
Although you have the freedom to be behind the wheel with your learner’s license, you do have restrictions that you must follow. Teens that hold their learner’s license must drive in the daylight hours only and be accompanied by a licensed driver that is at least 21 years of age in the front passenger seat at all times. After three months if you have had no problems, you can then drive until 10 p.m.
Behind the Wheel Practice
You will hold your learner’s license for a year in which time you must complete 50 hours of driving practice with 10 of those hours being at night. You will also need to have your parent or guardian vouch for you that you have properly completed your hours of practice driving.
For parents that want to check to see if their teen is ready to move onto the next phase of the Graduated License Program, they can check the Skills Mastery Checklist
Applying For Your Operational License
After one year of holding your learner’s permit and completing all the necessary requirements you can apply for your Class E license which is your permanent license. There will, however, be some restrictions that apply.
To get an Operator’s License you must:
- Submit your learner’s license or if you are a teen from another state that recently moved to Florida, submit your license from the state you are from to the Florida HSMV
- Complete a driving hour certification which will need to have the signature of your parent or guardian and can be found at Certification of Driving Experience of a Minor
- If you haven’t taken a driver’s training course, you will be required to take a driving test
Once you receive your Operator’s License, you will be allowed to drive between the hours of 5 am to 11 pm if you are the age of 16. If you are the age of 17 you can drive between the hours of 5 am to 1 am. Driving during any other hours will require that you have a licensed driver 21 years or older in the front passenger seat or be heading to or from work.
For parents that are interested in knowing that their teens are secure on the road, there are monitoring services and devices which 4DMV.com will direct you to ensure that their safety comes first.