Learner License
- To earn a learner license, you must be at least 15 years old
You must provide :
- Proof of social security number if issued Chapter 322, Florida
Statutes, requires the Department see proof of social security number
for the issuance of driver license and identification cards.
- Parental Consent Form, which must be signed in the presence
of a driver license examiner or notarized if parent or guardian
will not be present (form is located at http://www.flhsmv.gov/html/forms.html).
If you are under 18 and are not married one parent or legal guardian
must sign your license application. Step-parents may not sign
unless they have legally adopted you.
You are required to take:
- A Written Test 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.
Florida Driver Handbook
- Vision Test using an eye machine. To pass, you must have 20/40
(or better) vision in each and both eyes, with or without corrective
lenses.
With your Learner’s License, you may:
Only drive during daylight hours during the first three months
and until 10 p.m. thereafter, always with a licensed
driver who is at least 21 years old and occupies the front passenger
seat.
Operator’s License (16 and 17 year old) - To earn an operator’s
license, you must be at least 16 years old AND have held
a learner’s license for at least one year without any traffic convictions.
You must provide:
- A Florida Learner’s License or a license from another jurisdiction.
- Parent or guardian certification that you have at least 50 hours
of behind the wheel driving experience, of which 10 hours must
be at night.
You are required to take:
- Driving test and perform certain driving maneuvers. Please refer
to the Florida Driver Handbook for specifics
or present a waiver from an accepted driver education course.
With your Operator’s License, you may:
- 16 years old – only drive between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., unless
accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old
and occupies the front passenger seat, or you are traveling to
or from work.
- 17 years old – only drive between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m., unless
accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old
and occupies the front passenger seat, or you are traveling to
or from work.
Driving is a Privilege - Don't Lose It
There are a number of infractions that can cause you to lose or
restrict your driving privileges. The
following are of particular interest to teen drivers.
- If you receive a moving traffic conviction while you have a
Learner’s License, the one year period you are required to hold
your Learner’s License will be extended for one year from the
date of the conviction or until you are 18 years old, whichever
happens first.
- If you receive 6 points on your driving record within a 12 month
period, your driving privileges are automatically restricted to
business purposes only for 12 months or until you are 18, whichever
happens first. If you receive additional points during this restricted
period, the restriction is extended 90 days for each additional
point.
- If you have a blood alcohol level of .02% or more (applies to
those under age 21), an administrative suspension of six months
will result.
- If you are truant in your school
attendance, your driving privilege is suspended until you provide
proof you have attended school for 30 consecutive days.
- If you are convicted for possession of tobacco products (applies
to those under age 18).
Driving Violations and Points
|
Speeding
|
| Less than 15 mph over the speed
limit |
3 points |
| More than 15 mph over the speed
limit |
4 points |
| Speeding resulting in an crash |
6 points |
|
Moving Violation
|
| Moving violation (includes driving
during restricted hours and parking on a highway outside the
limits of a municipality) |
3 points |
| Moving violation resulting in
a crash |
4 points |
| Failing to stop at a traffic signal (effective
October 1, 2005) |
4 points |
| Passing a stopped school bus |
4 points |
| Reckless driving |
4 points |
| Leaving the scene of a crash resulting in property
damage of more than $50 |
6 points |
| Improper lane change |
3 points |
| Violation of a traffic control sign/device |
4 points |
| Open container as an operator |
3 points |
| Child restraint violation |
3 points |
| Littering |
3 points |
Zero Tolerance for DUI
Drivers under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol level of .02%
or more will have their license immediately suspended for six months.
This administrative action is for a first offense; a second offense
will result in a one year suspension. Refusal to submit to testing
(first offense) results in a suspension of twelve months; eighteen
months on a second offense.
|