How to get Your Florida Learners Permit and Drivers License
There are two types of people getting their first drivers license in Florida — teens getting their learners permit and adults getting their first drivers license. Below you will find step by step instructions with the specific courses you need to take to get your drivers license.
Teens Getting a Learners Permit and Drivers License
As a teenager in Florida you can get your learners permit at 15 years old. A year later you can get your drivers license. Here are the steps to getting your learners permit and drivers license.
- Complete the Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course
- Prepare for the Permit Test
- Take the Permit Test (50 question test) online
- Go to the FLHSMV with a parent or guardian and get your learners permit
- Drive with your learners permit for one year with no traffic convictions
- Go to the FLHSMV office and pass the road test
- Get your drivers license
Driving with your Learners Permit
The first rule of driving with a learners permit in Florida is that you can never drive alone — you must always have a licensed driver 21 or older in the seat closest to you. You must also follow these rules:
- You are required to have your learners permit for 12 months or until your 18th birthday to get your Class E Drivers License
- You can only drive during daylight hours for the first three months
- After three months, you can drive until 10 pm
- You are required to have 50 hours of driving experience before you can get your Class E Drivers License
- At least 10 hours of night driving experience is required
More details on Getting Your Learners Permit
Adults Getting Their First Drivers License
If you are 18 or older and getting your first drivers license in Florida, you are not required to hold a learners permit — you can go straight to a Class E unrestricted drivers license. Here are the steps to follow.
- Complete the DATA course — Drugs Alcohol Traffic Awareness (also known as TLSAE)
- Prepare for the 50-question Permit Test
- Take the Permit Test at a local FLHSMV office
- Go to the FLHSMV and pass the Road Test
- Get Your drivers license
Many Floridians earn their first drivers licenses as adults. The process for those aged 18 or older is a little different. First-time adult applicants must take the written test in person at a local FLHSMV office, but are not required to hold a learners permit first. Adults move straight to a full drivers license.
Step 1. Take the DATA Course Online
New drivers 18 and up must complete the DATA course before getting their first Florida drivers license.
Step 2. Study for the Permit Test
The Permit Test (also known as the Class E Knowledge Exam) is the 50-question test that all new drivers must pass. As an adult, you are required to take this test in person — you cannot take it online. We highly recommend studying the Florida Drivers Handbook or taking an online study guide. The permit test has 40 questions on the rules and regulations of driving in Florida and 10 questions about Florida road signs.
Step 3. Pass the Permit Test
Go to an FLHSMV office and take the Permit Test.
After you pass the permit test, you have the option of getting a learners permit to practice driving or you can take the Road Test (Behind the Wheel Driving Test) and get your Class E drivers license.