Category: Florida

Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Florida, an adult getting a first driver license does not have to sit out the 12-month learner’s license period or log 50 hours. Those rules are for under 18s. What you do need, if you are 18 or older and have never been licensed anywhere, is the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course, followed by the vision, hearing, knowledge and driving skills exams. This guide sets out that route, what the law says about practicing beforehand, and what the driving test checks.

Key facts

• TLSAE: required for applicants 18 or older, unless you have been licensed in another jurisdiction or completed a Department of Education driver education course under s. 1003.48 (Florida Statutes s. 322.095(1)).
• No 12-month learner period at 18+: the 12-month hold and the 50-hour certification in s. 322.05 apply to applicants aged 16 and 17.
• Knowledge exam: 50 questions, 40 correct to pass (80%), according to FLHSMV. Applicants 18 and over take it in person.
• Fees (as of November 2026): $48 original Class E license (s. 322.21), $10 per knowledge retake and $20 per driving skills retake (s. 322.12). Tax collector offices add a service fee.

Who needs the TLSAE course in Florida?

Your situation	TLSAE needed?
18 or older, never licensed anywhere	Yes
18 or older, completed a Department of Education driver education course (s. 1003.48)	No
Any age, licensed in another state or country	No. See moving to Florida
Under 18	No. Teens take a different driver education course (DETS) instead

What the TLSAE course involves

• Length: at least 4 hours of content, with no more than 30 minutes of that for breaks (s. 322.095(9)).
• Format: classroom or online. The law allows courses delivered through communications technology.
• Content: alcohol and drug effects on drivers, Florida traffic law, risky behavior such as speeding, phone use, and motorcyclist, bicyclist and pedestrian safety.
• Cost: the provider’s fee plus a $3 state assessment (s. 322.095(4)). Providers must list every fee when you register.
• Proof: the provider must report your completion electronically to FLHSMV within 5 days. Paper certificates are not accepted for licensing (s. 322.095(10) and (12)).

Use a provider on FLHSMV’s approved TLSAE list; other courses do not count. More detail: the Florida TLSAE course.

Step by step: a first Florida license at 18 or older

1. Complete the TLSAE course (unless you are exempt) and check it has been reported.
2. Gather documents for identity, Social Security number and residential address. Start with the Florida documents checklist.
3. Book at a driver license office or county tax collector office. Booking is county by county. See Florida fees and test booking.
4. Pass the vision and hearing exam and the Class E knowledge exam in person. Study guide: the Florida Class E knowledge test, then try the Florida permit practice test.
5. Pass the driving skills test in an insured, registered car that passes inspection.
6. Pay for your Class E license ($48 under s. 322.21, plus any office service charge).

Do adults need a learner’s license or supervised hours in Florida?

Florida law does not set a learner period or practice hours for adults. FLHSMV says applicants must hold a learner’s license for 12 months or be 18. The 50-hour certification in s. 322.05(3) applies only to applicants aged 16 to 17.

Practice is a separate question. Driving on public roads without a license is an offense, so you need a legal way to practice before the test. A learner’s license is the usual route. If you hold one, the law (s. 322.1615) says:

• a licensed driver aged 21 or older must sit in the seat closest to your right
• daylight driving only for the first 3 months, then until 10 p.m.
• breaking either rule is a moving violation

One point to check before you apply: s. 322.1615(1)(c) lists an approved driver education course (the 1900300 standard) as a learner’s license condition, and the statute does not limit this by age. FLHSMV describes that course (DETS) as one for under 18s. If you plan to get a learner’s license at 18 or older, ask your service center which course they will accept. More on learner rules: Florida learner’s license rules.

What is on the Florida driving skills test?

FLHSMV sets out what the examiner scores:

Maneuver	What the examiner expects
Three-point turn	Turn around in a 20 to 40 foot space
Straight-in parking	Centered, with nothing sticking out into the traffic lane
Quick stop	A quick, safe stop when told
Backing	50 feet, slowly, looking to the rear
Signal and turn	Proper lane, signal for the last 100 feet
Following distance	At least four seconds
Parking on a grade	Uphill and downhill, with and without a curb
Also scored	Stop signs and signals, approaching a crossing, passing, yielding, lane use, posture

Parallel parking is not on the FLHSMV list. The test will not go ahead if the car has faulty brakes, lights, signals, horn, mirror or tires, no driver-side wiper, cracked glass that blocks your view or an expired tag. Full list and practice drills: every maneuver the Florida examiner checks.

You can also test with an approved third party administrator, who may charge its own fee. Online knowledge testing through a third party is for under 18s only. See third party testing in Florida.

Common questions

I’m 25 and have never driven. What is the minimum I need?

The TLSAE course, then the vision, hearing, knowledge and driving skills exams. There is no minimum learner period or practice log at your age.

Can I take the Florida knowledge test online as an adult?

No. FLHSMV says applicants 18 and over take the knowledge exam in person.

Is the TLSAE the same as traffic school?

No. Traffic school (basic driver improvement) is for drivers with a ticket. TLSAE is a licensing course for new adult drivers.

Can I take the knowledge test in Spanish?

No. Since February 6, 2026, FLHSMV gives the knowledge and driving skills exams in English only and does not allow interpreters or translation services. Some older FLHSMV pages still list other languages; those lists are out of date. See permit tests in other languages.

What happens if I fail?

Pay $10 for each knowledge retake or $20 for each driving retake. Ask your office when you can rebook.

Do curfew rules apply to me at 18?

No. Florida’s driving curfews in s. 322.16 apply to licensed drivers aged 16 and 17.

Back to learning to drive in Florida. Other states: learning to drive as an adult in the US.

Sources

• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, announcement of English-only driver license knowledge and skills exams from February 6, 2026 (flhsmv.gov)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.095, Traffic law and substance abuse education program for driver license applicants” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.03, Drivers must be licensed” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.05, Persons not to be licensed” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.1615, Learner’s driver license” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.12 and s. 322.21” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.16, License restrictions” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Class E Knowledge Exam & Driving Skills Test” (flhsmv.gov)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Frequently Asked Questions” (flhsmv.gov)

Photo: Elbert Hampton, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Florida it is illegal to type, send or read texts, emails or instant messages on a handheld device while driving, and in school zones, school crossings and active work zones you cannot hold a phone at all. Officers can stop you for either offense. This guide covers both laws, the exceptions, the fines and points, and what they mean for learner and teen drivers.

Key facts

• Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law (s. 316.305): no typing or reading messages while the vehicle is moving.
• School and work zones (s. 316.306): no handheld use of any wireless device. Hands-free only.
• First texting offense: nonmoving violation, no points. Second within 5 years: moving violation, 3 points.
• School or work zone offense: moving violation, 3 points.
• There is no separate phone rule just for teens in either statute, but points hit under 18s harder.

Is texting while driving illegal in Florida?

Yes. Under s. 316.305(3)(a), you may not operate a motor vehicle while:

• manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers or symbols into a wireless communications device, or
• sending or reading data on it for nonvoice communication such as texting, email or instant messaging.

The law covers any handheld device that can send text messages, store data or connect to the internet. A vehicle that is stationary is not being “operated” for this rule.

What you can still do under the texting law

• Use a device or system for navigation.
• Receive navigation, vehicle, safety, emergency, traffic or weather alerts, and radio broadcasts.
• Communicate in ways that need no manual typing or reading of messages, beyond tapping to activate or end a feature, such as voice-to-text through the car.
• Report an emergency, a crime or suspicious activity to law enforcement.
• Operate an autonomous vehicle with the automated driving system engaged.

Emergency vehicle drivers and police, fire and EMS professionals on duty are also exempt.

Hands-free only in Florida school zones and work zones

Section 316.306 goes further in three places. In each one you may not use a wireless device in a handheld manner at all, including for calls:

• a designated school crossing
• a school zone
• a work zone, but only when construction workers are present or operating equipment on or right next to the road

The ban covers phones, tablets, laptops, two-way messaging devices and handheld electronic games. Built-in vehicle features that need no handheld device are fine.

Allowed in these zones:

• hands-free or voice-operated use, including a factory-fitted or aftermarket Bluetooth device
• hands-free navigation
• receiving safety alerts and radio
• reporting an emergency or crime

As with texting, a stationary vehicle is not covered.

Florida phone ticket fines and points

Offense	Type	Base civil penalty (as of November 2026)	Points
Texting, first offense	Nonmoving	$30	None
Texting, second or later within 5 years	Moving	$60	3
Handheld use in a school or work zone	Moving	$60	3
Unlawful phone use that results in a crash	Moving	Depends on the offense	6
Any moving violation committed while unlawfully using a phone in a school safety zone	Moving	Depends on the violation	+2 extra

Base penalties are from s. 318.18(2) and (3)(a). Court costs are added on top. Points are from s. 322.27(3)(d).

Getting a first school or work zone ticket waived

For a first offense under s. 316.306 you have two options:

• Take an FLHSMV-approved wireless communications device driving safety program instead of the penalty. On completion, the points must be waived and the fine and costs may be waived.
• Show the clerk proof that you bought hands-free equipment for your phone. The clerk may dismiss the case, with court costs.

Can police check your phone during a Florida stop?

Under both laws, an officer who stops you must tell you that you have the right to decline a search of your device. The officer may not:

• access it without a warrant
• confiscate it while waiting for a warrant
• pressure you into consenting

Phone billing records can only be used as evidence after a crash causing death or personal injury (serious bodily injury for the zone law).

What this means for Florida learner and teen drivers

• No separate teen phone ban: neither s. 316.305 nor s. 316.306 sets a different rule for learner’s license holders or drivers under 18.
• Delayed license: a moving violation conviction while on a learner’s license can delay your Class E license. You need 12 months with no moving traffic convictions, unless you elected a driving course and adjudication was withheld (s. 322.05).
• The 6 point rule: at ages 15 to 17, 6 points in 12 months restricts your license to business purposes only for at least a year (s. 322.161). Two zone tickets get you there.
• Exam questions: distracted driving is part of the Florida handbook, so expect questions on the Florida Class E knowledge test.

A practical habit for new drivers: set your navigation and music before you move, and put the phone where you cannot reach it.

Common questions

Is it illegal to hold your phone while driving in Florida?

Only in school crossings, school zones and active work zones, under s. 316.306. Elsewhere, the texting law bans typing and reading messages but does not ban holding a phone for a voice call.

Can I text at a red light in Florida?

Both laws say a stationary vehicle is not being operated, so they do not apply while you are fully stopped. They apply again the moment the car moves, so put the phone down before the light changes.

Can I use GPS on my phone while driving in Florida?

Yes, navigation is an exception to the texting law. In school and work zones it must be hands-free.

Is texting and driving a primary offense in Florida?

Yes. The law expressly authorizes officers to stop vehicles and cite drivers who are texting while driving, and to stop drivers using a handheld device in school and work zones.

Does a texting ticket affect my insurance?

A first texting offense is a nonmoving violation with no points. How insurers rate any conviction is up to the insurer.

Do other states have stricter phone laws?

Many ban all handheld use. Compare hands-free and texting laws for US drivers.

Related: Florida points system and Florida learner’s license rules. Back to the Florida learning to drive guide.

Sources

• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 316.305, Wireless communications devices; prohibition” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 316.306, School and work zones; prohibition on the use of a wireless communications device in a handheld manner” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 318.18, Amount of penalties” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.27, Authority of department to suspend or revoke driver license” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.161, High-risk drivers; restricted licenses” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.05, Persons not to be licensed” (leg.state.fl.us)

Photo: Jass Sosa, Pexels

Florida’s Move Over Act means that when you see a stopped emergency vehicle, tow truck, work vehicle or, since January 1, 2024, a disabled car with hazard lights, you must move out of the nearest lane. If you cannot do that safely, slow to 20 mph below the posted limit. This page also covers when you must stop for a Florida school bus, what to do when a siren comes up behind you, and the right-of-way rules for funeral processions.

Key facts

• Move over a lane, or slow to 20 mph below the limit (5 mph where the limit is 20 mph or less).
• Covers emergency, sanitation, utility, tow and road maintenance vehicles, and disabled vehicles.
• Stop for a school bus showing its stop signal, in both directions, unless a 5 foot unpaved median, raised median or barrier separates you.
• For an approaching siren or flashing red or blue lights, pull to the right edge, clear of the intersection, and stop.

What is Florida’s move over law?

Under s. 316.126(1)(b), the rule applies when any of these is on the roadside:

• an authorized emergency vehicle with any visual signals on
• a sanitation vehicle doing sanitation work
• a utility service vehicle doing utility work
• a wrecker (tow truck) with amber lights on, doing a recovery or loading
• a road and bridge maintenance or construction vehicle with warning lights, where there are no advance signs and channelizing devices
• a disabled motor vehicle that is stopped and either shows warning or hazard lights, uses flares or emergency signs, or has one or more people visibly present (in force since January 1, 2024, under ch. 2023-197)

Move over or slow down: which one?

Road	What you must do, as soon as it is safe
Interstate or any highway with two or more lanes in your direction	Leave the lane closest to the stopped vehicle. If you cannot move over safely, slow down as below.
Two-lane road, posted limit 25 mph or more	Slow to 20 mph below the posted limit
Two-lane road, posted limit 20 mph or less	Slow to 5 mph

A law enforcement officer’s directions override these rules.

Worked examples

• I-95, 70 mph limit, trooper stopped on the right shoulder with lights on. Signal and move to the next lane left. If traffic is too heavy to move over, slow to 50 mph.
• Two-lane county road, 45 mph limit, a car on the shoulder with hazards on. Slow to 25 mph as you pass.
• Neighborhood street, 20 mph limit, a garbage truck collecting bins. Pass at 5 mph.

What is the penalty for breaking Florida’s move over law?

• A violation of s. 316.126(1) is a noncriminal moving violation.
• The base civil penalty for violating the move over rule in s. 316.126(1)(b) is $30, plus court costs, as of November 2026 (s. 318.18(2)(d)).
• Moving violations not listed separately in the point schedule carry 3 points (s. 322.27(3)(d)8).

See the Florida points system for what points mean, especially if you are under 18.

What to do when an emergency vehicle is coming in Florida

When an emergency vehicle on its way to an emergency uses a siren or other audible signal, or flashing blue or red lights, s. 316.126(1)(a) says you must:

1. Yield the right-of-way.
2. Move immediately to a position parallel to, and as close as reasonable to, the closest edge of the curb of the road.
3. Stay clear of any intersection.
4. Stop and stay stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed, unless an officer tells you otherwise.

Pedestrians must also yield until the vehicle has passed. A national version of this guide is at pulling over for ambulances, fire engines and police.

When do you have to stop for a school bus in Florida?

When a school bus displays its stop signal, s. 316.172 requires you to come to a full stop. You must not pass until the signal is withdrawn. This applies whether you are behind the bus or coming toward it, with one exception.

Road layout	Same direction as the bus	Opposite direction
Two-lane road	Stop	Stop
Multi-lane road with no qualifying median or barrier	Stop	Stop
Divided highway with an unpaved space of at least 5 feet, a raised median or a physical barrier	Stop	You do not have to stop, but watch for children

The exception needs one of the three things in the statute: an unpaved space of at least 5 feet, a raised median or a physical barrier. A painted center turn lane is paved and is none of these.

Under s. 316.172(3), buses stop as far to the right as possible and display warning lights and stop signals before loading or unloading.

Florida school bus penalties

Offense	Minimum penalty (as of November 2026)	Points
Failing to stop	$200 plus $65	4
Passing on the side children enter and exit	$400 plus $65, and a mandatory court hearing	4
Second offense within 5 years	License suspended for 180 days to 1 year	4
Causing serious bodily injury or death	$1,500, suspension of at least 1 year, 120 hours of community service in a trauma center or hospital, victim impact panel or course	6

Other consequences:

• A conviction also means a required driver improvement course, which must be finished within 90 days or your license is canceled. This applies even if adjudication is withheld (s. 322.0261(4)).
• A ticket from a school bus camera carries a $200 penalty but no points, and cannot be used to set insurance rates.

Other states treat divided roads differently; compare school bus stopping laws in the US.

Funeral processions in Florida

Under s. 316.1974:

• Yield. You must yield to every vehicle in a funeral procession led by a funeral escort or lead vehicle, regardless of traffic signals or signs.
• How to spot one. Lead and escort vehicles show amber or purple lights, or red, blue or amber lights for law enforcement escorts. Procession cars have headlights and tail lights on and may use hazard lights.
• At intersections. Once the lead vehicle lawfully enters an intersection, the rest of the procession may follow through it even if the light changes.
• Limits. Procession drivers must still yield to emergency vehicles giving a signal and obey police directions.

Interfering with a procession while driving is a moving violation.

Common questions

Does Florida’s move over law apply to a broken-down car?

Yes, since January 1, 2024. It applies if the car is stopped and has hazard or warning lights on, flares or emergency signs out, or a person visibly present.

How much do I slow down if I can’t change lanes in Florida?

To 20 mph below the posted limit, or to 5 mph where the limit is 20 mph or less.

Do I have to move over for a tow truck in Florida?

Yes, if it shows amber rotating or flashing lights and is doing a recovery or loading on the roadside.

Do I stop for a school bus on the other side of a Florida divided highway?

Not if you are traveling in the opposite direction and there is an unpaved space of at least 5 feet, a raised median or a physical barrier between you. Otherwise, yes.

Is a move over ticket a moving violation in Florida?

Yes. Subsection (1) violations of s. 316.126 are punished as moving violations.

Is the move over rule on the Florida knowledge test?

The law requires FLHSMV to include Move Over Act information in all newly printed driver license educational materials. Expect it to be in the handbook you study from; see the Florida Class E knowledge test.

For move over laws across the country, see move over laws in the US. Back to the Florida learning to drive guide.

Sources

• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 316.126, Operation of vehicles and actions of pedestrians on approach of an authorized emergency vehicle” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Senate, “CS/CS/CS/HB 425 (2023), Transportation, enrolled bill text, Chapter 2023-197” (flsenate.gov)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 316.172, Traffic to stop for school bus” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 316.1974, Funeral procession right-of-way and liability” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 318.18, Amount of penalties” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 318.19, Infractions requiring a mandatory hearing” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.27, Authority of department to suspend or revoke driver license” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.0261, Driver improvement course” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 316.027, Crash involving death or personal injuries” (leg.state.fl.us)

Photo: Elbert Hampton, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Every Florida-registered car must carry at least $10,000 of personal injury protection (PIP) and $10,000 of property damage liability (PDL). Florida is a no-fault state: after a crash, your own PIP pays most of your injury costs first, whoever caused it. This guide covers the insurance minimums, what PIP actually pays, the 14 day rule, and exactly what Florida law says you must do at the scene of a crash.

Key facts

• Minimum cover: $10,000 PIP plus $10,000 PDL (ss. 627.733, 627.736 and 324.022).
• PIP pays 80% of medical bills and 60% of lost income, up to $10,000 in total, plus a $5,000 death benefit.
• Get initial medical care within 14 days of the crash or PIP medical benefits do not apply.
• Call police straight away if anyone is hurt or damage looks like $2,000 or more.
• Leaving the scene of an injury crash is a felony, with license revocation of at least 3 years.

What car insurance is required in Florida?

Coverage	Minimum	Law
Personal injury protection (PIP)	$10,000 medical and disability, plus $5,000 death benefit	ss. 627.733, 627.736
Property damage liability (PDL)	$10,000 per crash (or a $30,000 combined bodily injury and property damage policy)	s. 324.022

Who needs it:

• Every owner or registrant of a motor vehicle that must be registered in Florida, for the whole registration period. For PDL, s. 324.022 defines this as self-propelled vehicles with four or more wheels.
• Nonresidents whose vehicle has been in Florida for more than 90 days in the last 365.

You must show proof of PIP and PDL to register a vehicle (s. 320.02). If you move to Florida and take a job or enroll your children in public school, register your vehicles within 10 days (s. 320.38). For your license, see moving to Florida.

Bodily injury liability is not part of the basic requirement for most drivers. It becomes mandatory at $100,000/$300,000/$50,000 after a DUI conviction (s. 324.023). Read the financial responsibility section below before choosing PIP and PDL only.

What does Florida PIP pay for?

PIP covers you, relatives living in your household, anyone driving your car, your passengers, and pedestrians your car hits (s. 627.736(1)).

Benefit	What it pays
Medical	80% of reasonable, medically necessary costs
Disability	60% of lost gross income and earning capacity
Combined limit	$10,000 for medical and disability together
Death	$5,000 per person, on top of the $10,000

The 14 day rule

PIP medical benefits only apply if you receive initial services and care within 14 days of the crash. Initial care must come from a hospital, a physician, dentist, chiropractic physician or APRN, or emergency medical transport. Massage therapy and acupuncture are never covered.

The $2,500 limit

The full $10,000 is available for medical care only if a physician, dentist, physician assistant or APRN decides you had an emergency medical condition. Otherwise medical reimbursement is capped at $2,500.

Can you sue the other driver?

Only for pain and suffering if the injury meets the threshold in s. 627.737. That means significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function, permanent injury, significant and permanent scarring or disfigurement, or death.

Florida’s Financial Responsibility Law

This is separate from the PIP and PDL requirement. After a crash that police must report:

1. FLHSMV can suspend the license of each driver, and all the owner’s vehicle registrations, 30 days after notice of the crash.
2. This does not apply if the driver or owner had an automobile liability policy in force at the time.
3. Other exemptions include a legally parked vehicle, a written release from all injured parties, or a security deposit (s. 324.051).

Proof of financial responsibility means $10,000 bodily injury per person, $20,000 per crash and $10,000 property damage (s. 324.021(7)). Drivers with only PIP and PDL can be caught by this, so ask an insurer about bodily injury cover. See car insurance for new drivers.

Proof of insurance and lapses

• Carry proof whenever you drive: a paper or electronic card, the policy or a binder. Show it when an officer asks (s. 316.646).
• Showing an officer your phone does not give them consent to look at anything else on it.
• Insurers report cancellations to FLHSMV. If your PIP or PDL lapses, FLHSMV can suspend your license and registration (s. 324.0221).
• Stopping cover on a car? Turn in its license plate at a driver license or tax collector office before you cancel the insurance, so your license and registration are not suspended.
• Reinstatement fee as of November 2026: $150 the first time, $250 the second and $500 for each later reinstatement within 3 years of the first.

What to do after a crash in Florida

1. Stop at the scene or as close as possible, and stay until you have done steps 3 and 4 (ss. 316.027, 316.061).
2. Move the car if it blocks traffic and the crash caused only property damage, as long as it is safe. Failing to make a reasonable effort is a nonmoving violation.
3. Help anyone injured. Arrange transport to a doctor or hospital if treatment is clearly needed or the person asks (s. 316.062).
4. Exchange information. Give your name, address and vehicle registration number to the other driver, the injured person, or whoever is attending damaged property. Show your license if asked.
5. Call police immediately if anyone is injured or killed, or damage appears to be $2,000 or more (s. 316.065). Call the city police inside a city, otherwise the county sheriff or the Florida Highway Patrol.
6. Give the officer proof of insurance. If you cannot at the scene, providing valid proof within 24 hours may get the citation voided (s. 316.066(1)(d)).
7. File your own report within 10 days if the crash damaged a vehicle or property and police did not need to make a report (s. 316.066(1)(e)).
8. Get checked by a doctor within 14 days to keep PIP medical benefits.

If you hit a parked car or other unattended property

Stop. Then either find the owner or leave a secure note in a visible place with your name, address and registration number. Notify the police without unnecessary delay (s. 316.063). Driving off is a second degree misdemeanor.

If nobody can take your details

If everyone else is unable to receive the information and no officer is present, report the crash to the nearest police authority yourself.

A general checklist that works in any state is at what to do after a car crash.

Florida hit and run penalties

Leaving the scene of a crash with	Offense	Maximum penalty
Property damage only	Second degree misdemeanor	60 days in jail, $500 fine, 6 points (damage over $50)
Injury (not serious)	Third degree felony	5 years in prison, $5,000 fine
Serious bodily injury	Second degree felony	15 years in prison, $10,000 fine
A death	First degree felony	Mandatory minimum 4 years in prison

Any conviction for leaving an injury or fatal crash means license revocation for at least 3 years. You also need a victim’s impact panel or a vulnerable road user course before reinstatement, and courts must normally order restitution (s. 316.027). Penalty maximums are from ss. 775.082 and 775.083.

Common questions

Is Florida a no-fault state?

Yes. Your own PIP pays your first $10,000 of covered injury costs no matter who caused the crash. You can only sue for pain and suffering if the injury meets the s. 627.737 threshold.

Does Florida require bodily injury liability insurance?

Not for most drivers registering a car. It is required after a DUI conviction. Without it, you risk a financial responsibility suspension after a crash that police must report.

Does a teen with a learner’s license need their own policy?

The legal requirement is on the vehicle’s owner or registrant. Ask your insurer how a learner or new driver in the household must be listed.

Do I have to call the police for a minor crash in Florida?

Only if someone is hurt or killed, or damage appears to be $2,000 or more. Otherwise exchange details, and file your own written report within 10 days if no police report is made.

What if I didn’t go to the doctor within 14 days?

PIP medical benefits do not apply if initial care was not received within 14 days of the crash.

Can I show my insurance card on my phone?

Yes. Florida accepts proof in an electronic format.

Back to the Florida learning to drive guide. Points from a crash are explained in the Florida points system.

Sources

• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 627.733, Required security” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 627.736, Required personal injury protection benefits; exclusions; priority; claims” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 627.737, Tort exemption; limitation on right to damages” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 324.022, Financial responsibility for property damage” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 324.021, Definitions; minimum insurance required” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 324.023, Financial responsibility for bodily injury or death” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 324.051, Reports of crashes; suspensions of licenses and registrations” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 324.0221, Reports by insurers to the department; suspension; reinstatement” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 316.646, Security required; proof of security and display thereof” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes ss. 316.027, 316.061, 316.062, 316.063, 316.065 and 316.066, Crashes” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes ss. 320.02 and 320.38, Registration” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes ss. 775.082 and 775.083, Penalties and fines” (leg.state.fl.us)

Photo: Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Florida puts points on your driver license for moving traffic convictions, and FLHSMV can suspend your license once you reach 12 points in 12 months, 18 points in 18 months or 24 points in 36 months. This page covers the point values in Florida Statutes s. 322.27, the stricter 6 point rule for drivers aged 15 to 17, the “three crashes” course requirement, and how to keep points off your record.

Key facts

• Most moving violations: 3 points. Speeding more than 15 mph over: 4 points. Leaving the scene of a property damage crash: 6 points.
• Suspension: 12 points in 12 months (up to 30 days), 18 in 18 months (up to 3 months), 24 in 36 months (up to 1 year).
• Drivers aged 15 to 17 with 6 or more points in 12 months are restricted to business purposes only for at least 1 year.
• A third crash within 36 months, where you are convicted of the offense that caused it, means a course with a behind-the-wheel test or your license is canceled.
• You can usually elect a basic driver improvement course to avoid points, once in any 12 months and up to eight times in your life.

How many points is each offense in Florida?

These values come from s. 322.27(3)(d), Florida Statutes (2026 edition).

Conviction	Points
Any moving violation not listed below (including a second texting offense and handheld phone use in a school or work zone)	3
Speeding up to 15 mph over the limit	3
Speeding more than 15 mph over the limit	4
Violating a traffic control signal device, such as running a red light (officer-issued ticket)	4
Passing a stopped school bus	4
Reckless driving	4
Any other moving violation that results in a crash	4
Speeding or unlawful phone use that results in a crash	6
Leaving the scene of a crash with property damage over $50	6
Unlawfully driving through a railroad crossing	6
Passing a stopped school bus causing serious bodily injury or death	6
A moving violation committed while unlawfully using a phone in a school safety zone	+2 on top of the points for the violation

Not every ticket carries points:

• Camera tickets: red light camera, school zone speed camera and school bus camera tickets carry no points and cannot be used to set insurance rates.
• Nonmoving violations: parking and paperwork offenses, and a first texting offense, are not on the point schedule.
• Out-of-state tickets: a conviction in another state for something that would be a Florida traffic offense can be recorded with the same points.

FLHSMV counts the time periods using the offense date of each conviction, not the court date.

When does Florida suspend your license for points?

Points	Within	Maximum suspension
12	12 months	30 days
18	18 months	3 months
24	36 months	1 year

Points used for an earlier suspension still count toward the 18 and 24 point thresholds. FLHSMV may send a warning letter when you get close. If you have been suspended for points only once and are reinstated, 3 points are deducted from your record.

Before a points suspension can be lifted, you must show proof of enrollment in an FLHSMV-approved advanced driver improvement (ADI) course (s. 322.291). If you do not complete it within 90 days of reinstatement, your license is canceled.

The 6 point rule for Florida drivers under 18

Under s. 322.161, if you hold a Class E license, are aged 15 to 17 and build up 6 or more points in 12 months (parking excluded):

1. FLHSMV notifies you, and you must appear within 10 days to have a business-purposes-only restriction applied.
2. The restriction lasts at least 1 year from the date it is applied.
3. Each additional point adds 90 days.
4. It is withdrawn after 1 year with no new points, or on your 18th birthday if there are no other grounds.

There is no administrative hearing to challenge this restriction. “Business purposes” means driving needed to keep a livelihood: work, education, church and medical trips (s. 322.271).

Points matter before you even get your license. Under s. 322.05(2), a learner’s license holder under 18 needs 12 months with no moving traffic convictions before moving up to a Class E license, unless they elected a driving course and adjudication was withheld. See Florida learner’s license rules and the Florida teen curfew.

How to keep points off your Florida record

For most tickets, s. 318.14(9) lets you elect a basic driver improvement course instead of going to court. If you do:

• adjudication is withheld
• no points are assessed
• the civil penalty is reduced by 18 percent

Limits:

• You cannot elect again if you elected in the previous 12 months.
• You can elect no more than eight times in your lifetime.
• The course option is not available for speeding 30 mph or more over the limit, and some license and registration offenses are also excluded.
• Commercial license holders cannot use it.

Some offenses require a court hearing whatever you choose (s. 318.19). These include a crash causing death or serious bodily injury, passing a school bus on the side children enter and exit, and speeding 30 mph or more over the limit.

Florida’s three crashes in three years law

FLHSMV screens crash reports under s. 322.0261. If you are convicted of, or plead no contest to, the traffic offense behind a crash in one of these situations, you must take an FLHSMV-approved driver improvement course:

Crash	What is required
A crash causing death, or injury needing transport to a medical facility	Driver improvement course
A second crash within 2 years with at least $500 in property damage	Driver improvement course
A third crash within 36 months of the first	Course with behind-the-wheel instruction, a driving assessment and a behind-the-wheel exam you must pass

If you do not finish the course within 90 days of FLHSMV’s notice, your license is canceled until you complete it.

The same 90 day course rule applies after a conviction for running a red light, passing a stopped school bus, racing or reckless driving. For a school bus offense, the course is required even if the court withholds adjudication.

Other ways to lose your Florida driving privilege

• Without a hearing: FLHSMV may suspend you for a conviction that caused a crash with death, injury or over $500 of property damage, for license fraud, or for a second school bus stop violation within 5 years (s. 322.27(1)). A court can also direct a suspension.
• Habitual traffic offender: 15 point-carrying moving convictions in 5 years, or 3 serious convictions such as DUI, driving while suspended, leaving an injury crash or (from July 1, 2026) driving without a valid license in 5 years, leads to revocation for at least 5 years (ss. 322.264 and 322.27(5)).
• DUI and test refusal: an administrative suspension of 6 months for a first 0.08 BAC offense, or 1 year for a first refusal and 18 months for a second, which is also a misdemeanor (s. 322.2615). A first DUI conviction brings a $500 to $1,000 fine, up to 6 months in jail and license revocation of at least 180 days, with higher minimums at a 0.15 BAC or with a minor in the car (s. 316.193). A DUI conviction stays on your record for 75 years, according to the handbook.
• Zero tolerance, under 21: driving with a breath or blood alcohol level of 0.02 or more means an on-the-spot suspension of 6 months (1 year if you have been suspended under this rule before). Refusing the test means 1 year, or 18 months for a second refusal. At 0.05 or more, the suspension lasts until you finish a substance abuse course from a licensed DUI program (s. 322.2616). More: zero tolerance laws.
• No insurance: your license and registration can be suspended. See Florida no-fault insurance.

Administrative hearings and hardship licenses

• Most suspensions: FLHSMV must offer a hearing on request, held within 30 days of the request in your county of residence (s. 322.271(1)). At the hearing you can ask for a restricted business or employment purpose license by showing serious hardship. For a points suspension, you need proof of enrollment in the approved course.
• DUI and refusal suspensions: you have 10 days from the notice of suspension to request a formal or informal review. The temporary permit expires at midnight on the 10th day (s. 322.2615).

Penalties for passing a stopped school bus in Florida

Offense	Minimum penalty	Points
Failing to stop for a school bus	$200 plus $65	4
Passing on the side children enter and exit	$400 plus $65, mandatory hearing	4
Second offense within 5 years	License suspended 180 days to 1 year	4
Causing serious bodily injury or death	$1,500, suspension of at least 1 year, 120 hours of hospital community service, victim impact panel or course	6

Fines are from s. 318.18(5), as of November 2026. The stopping rules themselves are in Florida move over and school bus rules.

Common questions

How long do points stay on a Florida license?

The statute counts points in rolling windows of 12, 18 and 36 months for suspensions, and 5 years for habitual offender status. How long a conviction stays visible on your driving record is set by FLHSMV; check the current rule with FLHSMV.

Is a speeding ticket 3 or 4 points in Florida?

3 points if you were 15 mph or less over the limit, 4 points if more than 15 mph over, and 6 points if the speeding caused a crash.

Do red light camera tickets give points in Florida?

No. Points are not imposed when the violation is enforced by a traffic infraction enforcement officer from camera evidence. An officer-issued red light ticket is 4 points.

Can a 16 year old lose their license for points in Florida?

At 6 points in 12 months, the license is restricted to business purposes only for at least a year. At 12 points in 12 months, the general suspension rules also apply.

How many times can I take traffic school in Florida?

Once in any 12 month period, and no more than eight times in your lifetime, under s. 318.14(9).

Do other states use the same points?

No. Each state sets its own schedule. See US points systems and license suspensions.

Back to the Florida learning to drive guide.

Sources

• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.27, Authority of department to suspend or revoke driver license or identification card” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.161, High-risk drivers; restricted licenses” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.0261, Driver improvement course; requirement to maintain driving privileges” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.291, Driver improvement schools or DUI programs; required in certain suspension and revocation cases” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.264, Habitual traffic offender defined” (leg.state.fl.us), as amended by ch. 2026-53 (CS/HB 35, 2026)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.2616, Suspension of license; persons under 21 years of age” and “s. 316.193, Driving under the influence; penalties” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.271, Authority to modify revocation, cancellation, or suspension order” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.2615, Suspension of license; right to review” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.05, Persons not to be licensed” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 318.14, Noncriminal traffic infractions” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 318.18, Amount of penalties” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 318.19, Infractions requiring a mandatory hearing” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 316.027, Crash involving death or personal injuries” (leg.state.fl.us)

Photo: Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you move to Florida, FLHSMV says you must get a Florida driver license within 30 days of establishing residency. Holders of a valid license from another US state can usually swap it without the knowledge or driving tests, but everyone takes a vision test. This guide covers who counts as a resident, the documents to bring, and what changes if your license is from another country.

Transferring a license to Florida: key facts

• Deadline: 30 days after establishing residency (FLHSMV).
• Tests: FLHSMV may waive the knowledge and skills tests if you surrender a valid license from another state, a Canadian province or the US Armed Forces, for an equal or lower class (s. 322.12(1)). The vision test is still required.
• Where: in person at a driver license office or tax collector office.
• Fee: an original Class E license is $48 under s. 322.21, as of November 2026. Check your office for service charges.
• Documents: REAL ID-compliant proof of identity, Social Security number and two proofs of Florida address.

Who needs a Florida license?

FLHSMV says you are a Florida resident if you do any of these:

• enroll your children in public school
• register to vote
• file for a homestead exemption
• accept employment
• live in Florida for more than six consecutive months

Florida law also sets a 30 day deadline for nonresidents who take a job in Florida or enroll children in Florida public schools (s. 322.031(1)). Their spouse and dependent children who drive must get Florida licenses within the same 30 days.

Who does not need to switch

• Visitors aged 16 or over with a valid license from their home state or country, for the type of vehicle they drive (s. 322.04(1)(c)).
• Active-duty military stationed in Florida, plus spouse and dependents living with them, if they carry a valid military ID and a valid license from another state (s. 322.031(2)).
• Out-of-state commuters who live in another state and work in Florida with a valid home-state license (s. 322.031(3)).
• Full-time college students who are nonresidents, for the length of their enrollment, with a valid license from another state (s. 322.031(3)).

Step by step: switching a US state license to Florida

1. Book a visit at a driver license office or tax collector office.
2. Gather your documents (see the checklist below). FLHSMV does not accept an out-of-state license as primary ID.
3. Take the vision test at the office.
4. Surrender your old license and pay the fee.
5. Register your vehicle separately if you brought one.

If you are short of documents and your out-of-state license is valid, or expired 60 days or less, FLHSMV may issue a 60 day temporary permit.

Document checklist

FLHSMV requires proof of:

• Identity and lawful presence, for example a US birth certificate or valid US passport, or an immigration document
• Social Security number
• Two proofs of Florida residential address
• Name changes, if your name differs from your identity document (for example a marriage certificate)

Use the “What to Bring” checklist on the FLHSMV website to confirm the exact documents for your status. See also REAL ID and your first US driver license.

Moving to Florida with a foreign license

A foreign license does not exempt you from testing unless Florida has an agreement with your country. FLHSMV’s 2023 Class E handbook lists reciprocity for licenses from:

Country	Tests waived
Canada (license surrendered)	Knowledge and skills
France	Knowledge and skills
Germany	Skills only
South Korea	Knowledge and skills
Taiwan	Knowledge and skills

Agreements can change, so confirm with FLHSMV before your appointment. If your country is not listed, expect the vision, hearing, knowledge and skills exams. You do not need the TLSAE course if you were licensed in another jurisdiction (s. 322.095(1)). For driving before you switch, see driving in the US on a foreign license.

Licenses Florida does not accept

Under s. 322.033, a license from a class issued by another state only to people who could not prove lawful presence in the US is invalid in Florida. FLHSMV keeps a list of these license classes on its website. Driving on one counts as driving without a license.

Common questions

Do I have to retake the driving test when I move to Florida?

Usually not with a valid US state license. FLHSMV can waive the knowledge and skills tests when you surrender it. The vision test is always required.

How long can I drive in Florida on my old license?

Once you are a resident, 30 days.

My teen has a learner’s permit from another state. What now?

Check with FLHSMV. A Florida learner’s license needs Florida’s driver education course and exams unless FLHSMV accepts the out-of-state permit. Under s. 322.05(2)(c), a 16 or 17 year old with a valid full license from another state or country can get a Florida license without the 12 month learner period. See driving with a learner’s permit in another state.

Can I transfer an expired license?

Ask your office. FLHSMV’s temporary permit option covers licenses that are valid or expired 60 days or less.

I am a college student from another state. Do I need a Florida license?

Not while you are enrolled full time and hold a valid license from another state (s. 322.031(3)).

Related: moving to a new state, car insurance, Florida no fault insurance. Back to the Florida learning to drive guide.

Sources

• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “New Resident: Welcome to Florida!” (flhsmv.gov)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Visiting Florida Frequently Asked Questions” (flhsmv.gov)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Out-of-state license classes no longer accepted in Florida” (flhsmv.gov)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Florida Class E Driver License Handbook” (flhsmv.gov)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.031, Nonresident; when license required” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.04, Persons exempt from obtaining driver license” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.12, Examination of applicants” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.033, Invalid out-of-state driver licenses” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.05, Persons not to be licensed” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.095, Traffic law and substance abuse education program” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.21, License fees” (leg.state.fl.us)

Photo: Abhishek Navlakha, Pexels

In Florida you do not have to take your driver license exams at a state office. FLHSMV contracts private and public organizations, known as third party administrators (TPAs), to give the Class E knowledge exam and the driving skills test, and the state accepts their results. This page explains how TPA testing works, the online knowledge exam for under 18s, and the random retest you may be called for.

Florida third party testing: key facts

• Florida law (s. 322.56) lets FLHSMV authorize schools, companies, organizations and local government bodies to give the written and driving skills exams.
• A TPA test must be the same as the test the state would give (s. 322.56(2)).
• Under 18s can take the knowledge exam online through an approved TPA. Applicants 18 and over test in person.
• FLHSMV must retest a random sample of TPA-approved drivers at least once a year (s. 322.56(3)(e)). A random retest is free.
• The provider sets its own price. State retest fees after a failed exam are $10 (knowledge) and $20 (skills) under s. 322.12, as of November 2026.

Testing options in Florida

Option	Knowledge exam	Driving skills test
Driver license office or tax collector office	In person, any age	Yes
Third party administrator, in person	Yes	Yes, with an approved TPA
Third party administrator, online	Under 18 only	No

The online knowledge exam for Florida teens

Section 322.56(8) sets the rules for online Class E learner exams:

1. Before the exam, your parent, guardian or responsible adult gives the provider their driver license number and certifies they will monitor you while you test.
2. Security questions: you answer personal questions set before the exam, to deter fraud.
3. Results go to FLHSMV electronically. That electronic record is the official proof you passed.
4. At the office, before the learner’s license is issued, the same adult certifies that they monitored you.

Cheating has a cost: anyone found to have cheated or got around any part of the exam must retake it (s. 322.12(3)(b)). See the Florida knowledge test.

Taking the driving skills test with a TPA

• You must meet the same requirements as at a state office: 12 months on a learner’s license if under 18, a clean record, and certified 50 hours. See the 50 hour certification.
• The maneuvers and vehicle checks are the same. See every maneuver on the Florida driving test.
• Under s. 322.56(5), you must give FLHSMV proof that you passed before the license is issued. Bring the TPA paperwork the provider gives you.

The random retest: what to expect

Because state law requires FLHSMV to retest a random sample of TPA-approved drivers, you may be told at the office that you must take the exam again before your license is issued.

• The random retest is free and can happen without prior notice.
• Pass it and FLHSMV issues your license.
• Fail it and, according to FLHSMV, a re-exam fee is collected at your next attempt.

Prepare as if you might have to take the test twice.

How to choose a Florida TPA

1. Ask the provider to confirm it is an FLHSMV-approved third party administrator for Class E exams.
2. Ask for the full price up front, including the knowledge exam, any retake and the skills test.
3. Ask whether you use your own car or the provider’s. Either way it must pass the vehicle inspection.
4. Ask how results are sent to FLHSMV and what paperwork you need to bring to the office.

Common questions

Is a Florida third party test easier?

No. By law it must be the same test the state gives.

Can I take the Florida permit test online at 18?

No. Online knowledge exams are for under 18s only.

How much does a TPA charge?

Each provider sets its own fee. Compare a few before booking.

What happens if I am selected for a retest?

You take the exam again at the office at no charge. Your license is issued once you pass.

Do I still go to a driver license office?

Yes. Your license is issued at a driver license or tax collector office after your results are received.

Related: TLSAE and DETS, US road test by state. Back to the Florida learning to drive guide.

Sources

• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.56, Contracts for administration of driver license examination” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.12, Examination of applicants” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Third Party Administrator Program” (flhsmv.gov)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Class E Knowledge Exam & Driving Skills Test” (flhsmv.gov)

Photo: Benoît Prieur, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Before a Florida 16 or 17 year old can get a Class E license, a parent, guardian or responsible adult must certify at least 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of them at night. This checklist covers who can sign, the FLHSMV form, and how to log the hours so the certification is accurate.

Florida 50 hour rule: key facts

• Hours: at least 50 behind the wheel, at least 10 at night (s. 322.05(3)).
• Who supervises: the certifying adult, or another licensed driver aged 21 or over.
• Who certifies: a parent, guardian or other responsible adult who meets s. 322.09.
• Form: Certification of Minor Driving Experience, HSMV 71143.
• Witnessing: signed in front of a driver license examiner, or notarized.
• Applies to: applicants aged 16 or 17. At 18 the rule no longer applies.

What the Florida law says

Section 322.05(3) bars FLHSMV from licensing a 16 or 17 year old unless the parent, guardian or responsible adult certifies that they, or another licensed driver aged 21 or over, accompanied the applicant for at least 50 hours behind the wheel, including at least 10 hours at night.

The law adds that the certification cannot be used in any civil lawsuit and does not create a right to sue.

The HSMV 71143 certification form

The FLHSMV form has the signer certify that the teen has driven at least 50 hours during the past 12 months, 10 of them at night, under s. 322.05(3).

• Signed by one parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult aged 21 or over.
• Signed in front of the driver license examiner, or notarized if the adult cannot come to the test.
• Download the current version from the Required Forms for Teens page on the FLHSMV website before you go.

Checklist: getting your 50 hours right

1. Start a log on day one. FLHSMV publishes a free Learner’s License Driving Log. Record the date, start and end time, day or night, conditions and the supervisor’s name.
2. Count night hours separately. You need at least 10. For the first 3 months a learner can only drive in daylight, so night hours start in month 4, and only until 10 p.m. (s. 322.1615(3)). See learner’s license rules.
3. Check every supervisor qualifies: licensed, at least 21, in the front passenger seat.
4. Spread the practice. Cover neighborhood streets, busy multi-lane roads, highways, rain and parking lots. See freeway driving for new drivers and driving in rain and fog.
5. Practice the test maneuvers: three-point turn, backing 50 feet, straight-in parking and parking on a hill. See the Florida driving test checklist.
6. Total it up before booking. Do not sign for hours that were not driven.
7. Bring the signed form, or the adult, to the skills test appointment.

Sample 12 month plan

Months	Target	Focus
1 to 3	About 15 daylight hours	Car control, quiet streets, parking lots
4 to 6	About 15 hours, start night driving	Busier roads, lane changes, first night drives
7 to 9	About 10 hours	Highways, rain, finishing the 10 night hours
10 to 12	About 10 hours	Test maneuvers and mock tests

This is a suggestion, not a legal requirement. The law only sets the 50 and 10 hour minimums.

Common questions

Does Florida check my driving log?

The legal requirement is the adult’s signed certification. The log is a tool to make that certification accurate.

Can a driving school instructor’s hours count?

The law counts hours with the certifying adult or another licensed driver aged 21 or over. An instructor who meets that test counts.

Do I need the 50 hours if I am 18?

No. Section 322.05(3) applies to applicants aged 16 or 17.

Can my parent sign without coming to the test?

Yes, if the form is notarized.

How does Florida compare with other states?

See supervised driving hours by state.

Back to the Florida learning to drive guide.

Sources

• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.05, Persons not to be licensed” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.1615, Learner’s driver license” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Certification of Minor Driving Experience (HSMV 71143)” (flhsmv.gov)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Required Forms for Teens” (flhsmv.gov)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Learner’s License Driving Log” (flhsmv.gov)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Licensing Requirements for Teens, Graduated Driver License Laws and Driving Curfews” (flhsmv.gov)

Photo: Raphael Loquellano, Pexels

Florida’s Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course, often called the drug and alcohol or DATA course, is now only for first-time applicants aged 18 and over. Since a 2025 law change, teens applying for a learner’s license take a different course, the Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course. This page tells you which course you need, what the law requires of each, and how completion reaches FLHSMV.

Which Florida course do you need?

You are	Course	Law
Under 18, applying for a first learner’s license	FLHSMV-approved driver education course meeting the Department of Education 1900300 standard (DETS)	s. 322.1615(1)(c)
18 or over, never licensed anywhere	TLSAE	s. 322.095(1)
18 or over, completed a Department of Education driver education course under s. 1003.48	TLSAE not required	s. 322.095(1)
Any age, licensed in another state or country	TLSAE not required	s. 322.095(1)

What changed in 2025

Senate Bill 994 (2025), chapter 2025-104, Laws of Florida, took effect on July 1, 2025. It made two changes:

1. TLSAE now applies only at 18 and over. Section 322.095(1) now says each driver license applicant who is 18 or older must complete TLSAE, unless licensed in another jurisdiction or they completed a Department of Education driver education course.
2. The learner’s license needs driver education instead. Section 322.1615(1)(c) replaced the TLSAE requirement with a driver education course approved by FLHSMV that meets or exceeds the Department of Education Driver Education/Traffic Safety-Classroom 1900300 course description.

FLHSMV says the DETS requirement applies to under 18s with no prior license from August 1, 2025. Teens who finished TLSAE before that date could use the certificate for one year after completion, so any certificate from before August 1, 2025 can no longer be used for this.

The DETS course for Florida teens

• FLHSMV describes DETS as a 6 hour course.
• It can be taken in person or online from an FLHSMV-approved provider.
• FLHSMV says Department of Education 1900300 and 1900310 classroom courses also count, as can Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP) courses offered by some county school boards.
• Completion is reported to FLHSMV electronically, so you do not need a paper certificate at the office.

Then take the knowledge exam. See the Florida Class E knowledge test.

The TLSAE course for adults: what the law requires

• Length: at least 4 hours of course content, minus a maximum of 30 minutes for breaks (s. 322.095(9)).
• Format: classroom or online. The law lets FLHSMV approve courses delivered through communications technology (s. 322.095(2)).
• Content: alcohol and drug effects on drivers, Florida traffic law, risky driving behavior such as speeding and running red lights, phone use, and motorcyclist, bicyclist and pedestrian safety (s. 322.095(2)(b)).
• Fees: the provider sets its course fee, plus a $3 state assessment fee (s. 322.095(4)). Providers must list every fee during registration (s. 322.095(11)). Course fees vary, so compare providers.

How to take the TLSAE course

1. Use an FLHSMV-approved provider. FLHSMV publishes the approved TLSAE provider list on its website. A course that is not on the list will not count.
2. Complete the full course.
3. Check your completion has been reported. Providers must send completion to FLHSMV’s Driver Improvement Certificate Issuance System within 5 days, free of charge (s. 322.095(12)).
4. Book your exams at a driver license office. Adults take the knowledge exam in person.

Paper certificates: do you need one?

No. Under s. 322.095(10), the only valid certificate is the electronic one in FLHSMV’s system. Paper certificates are not accepted for licensing. A provider may offer one for sale but cannot make you buy it, and must tell you it is optional.

Common questions

Do I need TLSAE if I am 16 in Florida?

No. Under 18s now take the driver education (DETS) course for the learner’s license instead.

I am 19 and have never driven. Do I need TLSAE?

Yes, unless you have completed a Department of Education driver education course under s. 1003.48.

I have a license from another state. Do I need TLSAE?

No. Applicants licensed in another jurisdiction are exempt. See moving to Florida.

Is the TLSAE the same as the DATA course?

Yes. “DATA course” and “drug and alcohol course” are common informal names. The legal name is Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education.

Can I do the TLSAE course online in one sitting?

Online courses are allowed. The law sets a minimum of 4 hours of content including at most 30 minutes of breaks, so plan for at least that long.

Is TLSAE the same as traffic school?

No. Traffic school (basic driver improvement) is for drivers with a ticket. TLSAE is a licensing course for new adult drivers.

Related: Florida learner’s license rules, third party testing, drugged driving and cannabis. Back to the Florida learning to drive guide.

Sources

• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.095, Traffic law and substance abuse education program for driver license applicants” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.1615, Learner’s driver license” (leg.state.fl.us)
• The Florida Senate, “SB 994 (2025), enrolled bill text (ch. 2025-104, Laws of Florida)” (flsenate.gov)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) Course Frequently Asked Questions” (flhsmv.gov)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “What is Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) and how do I find the approved listing of TLSAE course providers?” (flhsmv.gov)

Photo: Alain Garcia, Pexels

In Florida, a 16 year old with a driver license cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., and a 17 year old cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless a licensed driver aged 21 or over is with them or they are driving directly to or from work. This page explains the exact rules in Florida Statutes s. 322.16, the penalty, and the separate points restriction for drivers under 18.

Florida driving curfew by age

Age	Curfew hours	Allowed during curfew if
15 (learner’s license)	After dark for the first 3 months, then after 10 p.m.	No exceptions; a licensed driver 21+ must always be in the front passenger seat anyway
16 (Class E license)	11 p.m. to 6 a.m.	Accompanied by a licensed driver 21+, or driving directly to or from work
17 (Class E license)	1 a.m. to 5 a.m.	Accompanied by a licensed driver 21+, or driving directly to or from work
18	None	Not applicable

The 16 year old rule in s. 322.16(2) applies to any license holder “under 17 years of age”. The 17 year old rule is in s. 322.16(3). Learner rules are in s. 322.1615; see Florida learner’s license rules.

The two exceptions

A licensed adult 21 or over

The accompanying driver must hold a valid license for the type of vehicle you are driving and be at least 21.

Driving directly to or from work

The law says “directly to or from work”. A stop at a friend’s house or a drive-through on the way is outside the exception. There is no school, sports or church exception in the statute.

Worked examples

• Maya, 16, finishes a restaurant shift at 11:30 p.m. She can drive straight home. She cannot drop a coworker at a party first.
• Jordan, 16, leaves a movie at 11:15 p.m. alone. That breaks the curfew.
• Jordan turns 17. Leaving the same movie at 11:15 p.m. is now fine; the curfew for 17 year olds starts at 1 a.m.
• Sam, 17, drives at 2 a.m. with his 22 year old licensed cousin in the car. That is allowed.

What is the penalty for breaking Florida’s teen curfew?

Under s. 322.16(6), driving in breach of the curfew is charged as a moving violation and fined under chapter 318. Florida’s point system (s. 322.27) puts points on your record for moving traffic convictions, and points can trigger the restriction below.

Florida’s business-purposes-only restriction for under 18s

Separately from the curfew, s. 322.161 says FLHSMV must restrict the license of any Class E licensee aged 15 to 17 who builds up 6 or more points within 12 months (parking violations excluded).

1. FLHSMV notifies you and you must appear within 10 days to have the restriction applied.
2. Your license is restricted to business purposes only for at least 1 year.
3. Each extra point during the restriction adds 90 days.
4. The restriction is withdrawn after 1 year with no new points, or on your 18th birthday if there are no other grounds.

See the Florida points system for how many points each offense carries.

Common questions

What time can a 16 year old drive until in Florida?

Until 11 p.m., and not again until 6 a.m., unless with a licensed driver 21 or over or driving directly to or from work.

What time can a 17 year old drive until in Florida?

Until 1 a.m., and not again until 5 a.m., with the same two exceptions.

Does Florida limit how many passengers a teen driver can carry?

Florida’s license restriction statute, s. 322.16, does not set a passenger limit for 16 and 17 year olds. Seat belt rules still apply to everyone; see seat belt laws.

Do I need a note from my employer?

The statute does not mention one. Carrying proof of your shift can help if you are stopped, but it is not a legal requirement in s. 322.16.

Does the curfew end at 18 even if I got my license late?

Yes. Both curfews are tied to age, not to how long you have been licensed.

Do other states have similar curfews?

Most do, with different hours. See graduated driver licensing compared.

Back to the Florida learning to drive guide.

Sources

• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.16, License restrictions” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.161, High-risk drivers; restricted licenses” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.1615, Learner’s driver license” (leg.state.fl.us)
• Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Licensing Requirements for Teens, Graduated Driver License Laws and Driving Curfews” (flhsmv.gov)