Drivers Permits in Florida

Getting Your Florida Learner's Permit

The number of accidents each year involving teen drivers is astonishing. To combat this, and to improve the quality of teen drivers statewide; Florida became the first state to enact a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program.

One of the first milestones on your journey to your Florida driver's license is to obtain your driver's permit, called a learner license in FL. Below you will find everything you need to know—from what you need to bring to the Division of Driver Licenses to taking an online Driver's Ed course. You'll even learn about passing the written exam on your first try with the help of an online practice test.

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Need a Drivers Permit Checklist?

Print out our DMV.ORG Driver's Permit Checklist and be fully prepared when visiting the DMV office. You'll have all the step-by-step instructions, forms, and fees needed to make getting your Driver's Permit as Easy as 1-2-3.

New to Florida?

If you're new to the state you can transfer a learner's permit from your previous state to Florida. Just bring the documents mentioned below along with your existing permit with you to your local Division of Driver Licenses.

Apply for Your FL Learner's Permit

To get your learner's permit in the state of Florida, you must:

• Be at least 15 years old.
• Complete a Traffic Laws and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course.
  • This course is also referred to as Driver's Ed. You can complete the course in a classroom, or you can do it online from a certified provider. For more about online driver's education courses, please visit our page on Driver's Ed in Florida.

Bring the following to your local Division of Driver Licenses office:

• Proof that you completed a TLSAE course.
• Payment for the $48 for the Class E driver's license fee, which also includes a learner license.
• A completed Parental Consent For a Driver Application of a Minor (Form HSMV 71142) that is EITHER:
  • Signed in front of a driver license examiner
    OR
  • Notarized, if your parent or guardian cannot be present.
    • If you are under 18 years old and not married, a parent or legal guardian must sign your driver's license application. Step-parents may not sign unless they have legally adopted you.
• Proof of:
  • Identity.
  • Social Security number.
    • The agent may be able to verify your SSN electronically, but bring your documents just in case.
  • Residency (2 documents).
    • If you don’t have proof of residency in your own name (many minors don’t), you must show 2 documents proving your address that show the name of a parent, step-parent, legal guardian, or another person with whom you live AND a completed change of address online or in person at the DHSMV.

For more information regarding these required proofs, the Florida DHSMV has lists of acceptable documents depending on your citizenship status:

• U.S. citizen.
• Immigrant.
• Non-immigrant.
• Canadian.

At the Division of Driver Licenses office, you'll have to pass a vision and hearing test.

Taking the FL Written Permit Test

When you're ready to take your written Florida permit test, you have a couple options.

Take the Exam Online

If you complete an approved online Driver's Ed course, you can take the written exam online as well. Upon successful completion of the course and passing the exam, your Driver's Ed provider will electronically notify the DHSMV. (See below for details on the exam itself.)

Make sure to bring the above documents to your nearest Division of Driver Licenses office once you pass your exam to earn your permit.

NOTE: You MAY be required to take the written exam in-person after passing the online exam. The state will randomly select online test-takers for re-tests, so keep that knowledge in your head.

Take the Florida Permit Test in Person

If you're taking your exam in person, bring the above documents and be prepared to take the written permit test at your local Division of Driver Licenses office.

About Your FL Written Permit Test

The two multiple choice tests are comprised of 50 questions covering road signs and traffic laws. To pass you will need to answer 40 questions correctly. You'll find helpful information for the tests in the Florida Driver Handbook. You'll also need to pass a vision test and a hearing test to get your learner license.

Florida Learner's Permit Driving Restrictions

With your learner's permit in your possession, you're allowed to drive only:

• For the first 3 months, during daylight hours.
• After the first 3 months, until 10 p.m.
  • You must remain accident- and infraction-free during this time, or your curfew privileges will be rescinded.
• With a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old who occupies the front passenger seat.

Behind-the-Wheel Driving Requirements

In order to get to the next phase of the GDL, which is getting your driver's license, your parent or guardian must certify that you have completed 50 hours of supervised practice driving during your learner's permit phase, with 10 hours being driven at night.

Replacing Your Florida Learner's Permit

If you lose your learner's permit, you can replace it online or at a Division of Driver Licenses office. The fee to replace it is $25. You must bring the same identification documents as listed above.

For more information, please check out our Florida Replacing a Lost License/Permit page.

Your Next Step: Get Your Florida Driver's License

Once you have your learner's permit in your possession, it's time to work on being a safe and responsible driver. Being on the open road is a very liberating experience, but it does not come without risk. Please use extreme caution at all times behind the wheel.

The next step in the Florida GDL process is to get your driver's license. For more information, please refer to our FL Teen Apply for License page.