Your teen has finally arrived at a time he or she has been looking forward to - learning to drive! This will be a memorable experience for both of you.

Drive with CARE - Florida Drivers Guide for Parents and Teens

You cannot take this website with you, however this booklet is a teaching tool that should be kept in the car you use to teach your teen to drive. It contains valuable advice, checklists, a driving log, a sample driving contract, and a driving certification form to help you teach your teen to be a safe and confident driver. Please take the time to read and use this valuable resource.

Be a Model and Coach

As their role model and coach, they will watch what you do and look to you for your guidance and expertise. The law requires you to certify that your teen has spent a minimum of 50 hours behind the wheel when he or she applies for an Intermediate License. Ten of those hours must be at night. Either you or another responsible licensed adult over 21 years of age must always occupy the front passenger seat closest to the driver.

Driving Log/Guide

• 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.


• Drivers with a Learner’s license, 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.


• Recording behind-the-wheel practice sessions will help to better assess and analyze time spent behind the wheel.

We encourage you and your teen to thoroughly review Chapter 3 of The Florida Driver’s Handbook as it contains valuable detailed information on the driving skills. There are also a number of websites with additional information listed in the "Resources" section of this website. Visit these sites together. Several of them have excellent simulations that will encourage discussion.

Take as long as necessary to ensure that your teen is ready to take the driving test and prepared to navigate the roads solo. Teach them to “Drive With Care – Courtesy, Attention, Responsibility and Experience.” Remember, “Experience eliminates errors!”

Driving Practice Checklist

Use the Driving Practice Checklist, page 8 in the Florida Drivers Guide for Parents and Teens booklet, to ensure your teen has practice and experience with all skills, driving environments and driving conditions.

Driving Log

Use this log (starting on page 9 in the Florida Drivers Guide for Parents and Teens) to record driving sessions. A teen must have a minimum of 50 hours of supervised driving before applying for an intermediate operator’s license.