Florida uses a graduated license system to guide teens from being learners to becoming fully licensed drivers.
Teen drivers who are 15 years old are eligible to begin Florida's graduated driver's license program. This program is similar to other graduated license programs across the United States and helps limit high-risk driving situations for the teen driver while increasing parental involvement and supervision.
Florida's graduated driver's license program has three levels:
Florida teens who are younger than 18 and who want to obtain a full driver's license must first complete the instruction permit and restricted license requirements. Below, we explain the requirements and restrictions for each type of license.
An instruction permit (officially called a "learner's driver license" in Florida) allows teens to gain driving experience with adult supervision.
Beginning at 15 years old, with parent approval, a teen can obtain an instruction permit (officially called a "learner's driver license" in Florida). Before the state will issue an instruction permit, the teen driver must complete a driver education traffic safety course approved by the state, pass a written test, and pass vision and hearing examinations. (Fla. Stat. § 322.1615, amended by 2025 Fla. Laws ch. 104 (2025).)
The instruction permit allows the licensee to drive in Florida as long as a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old is in the front passenger seat at all times. (Fla. Stat. § 322.1615, amended by 2025 Fla. Laws ch. 104 (2025).)
For the first three months, the youth can drive only during daylight hours. After three months, the teen can drive (with supervision) until 10 p.m. (Fla. Stat. § 322.1615, amended by 2025 Fla. Laws ch. 104 (2025).)
To obtain and keep an instruction permit, a teen must be enrolled in school (or a similar institution or home school) with satisfactory attendance. (Fla. Stat. § 322.091 (2025).)
A teen must be at least 16 years old before obtaining a restricted license. The restricted driver's license allows the motorist to drive without an adult, subject to some restrictions.
At 16 years old, drivers can apply for a restricted driver's license if they have:
(Fla. Stat. §§ 322.05, 322.12 (2025).)
For 16-year-olds, the driver's license is restricted to use from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. unless the youth is driving for employment or accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old. This curfew is from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. once the driver turns 17. (Fla. Stat. § 322.16 (2025).)
The restricted license also requires the holder to be enrolled in school (or a similar institution or home school) with satisfactory attendance. (Fla. Stat. § 322.091 (2025).)
The above restrictions will stay in place until the driver turns 18 years old. (Fla. Stat. § 322.16 (2025).)
A teen with a restricted license who has had no violations will have those restrictions lifted upon turning 18. A teen who is 18 or older who has never held a learner's permit or restricted license may apply for a full license in the same manner as other adults—which includes a written exam, driving test, and vision and hearing examinations. (Fla. Stat. § 322.12 (2025).)
Before any driver can operate a vehicle in Florida, the vehicle must be properly insured. In Florida, the mandatory insurance requirements are:
Drivers who cannot show proof of insurance can be convicted of a traffic infraction and will face fines and license and vehicle registration suspension. (Fla. Stat. §§ 316.646, 324.021 (2025).)