Three Stages to Get a Florida Teen Drivers License
Graduated licensing is a system that consists of three stages wherein young drivers must meet certain expectations before graduating to the next stage. The purpose of putting young drivers through a staging process is to ensure they are eased into difficult driving situations slowly, as their experience and maturity grow. From a learning permit to full licensure, the teen driver is moved progressively to each stage as they demonstrate responsible driving behavior.
The components and requirements of each licensing stage are determined separately by each state. Not all states have graduated licensing laws, and some that do only have two stages in their system.
Florida's Graduated Driver's License program became law in July 1996, and in 1997 alone, Florida saw a 9% reduction in fatalities and injury crashes for teen drivers between 15- and 17-years-old. Thus, the benefits of Florida's GDL program are obvious.
Florida teen drivers must progress through three licensing stages: Learner's License, Operational License, and Full License.
To obtain a Learner's License, the driver must do all of the following:
- be at least 15 years old;
- provide a Social Security Number;
- show proof of completion of a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course, or a license from another state, county, or jurisdiction;
- have a legal guardian sign the Parental Consent Form in the presence of the driver license examiner; and pass the required written test covering road rules and signs and a vision test.
The holder of a Learner's License may not drive alone, regardless of age, and if under 18, must hold the license for 12 months before advancing to the next stage. The driver is restricted from driving after dark for the first three months, and between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. from months 4 to 12.
The next stage of licensing is the Operator's License. To receive an Operator's License, the driver must:
- be 16- to 17-years-old;
- have held a Learner's License for at least 12 months without any traffic convictions;
- show parent or guardian certification that the driver has had at least 50 hours of experience behind the wheel, 10 of which must have been at night;
- successfully perform a behind the wheel test in the presence of the driver license examiner.
The 12-month requirement above starts over at any point the driver receives a traffic conviction on their record.
Drivers with an Operator's License, who are 16-years-old, may only drive between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., with two exceptions. If the driver is going to and from work, or has a licensed driver who at least 21-years-old in the front passenger seat, he or she may driver outside the restricted times.
.Drivers with an Operator's License, who are 17-years-old, are restricted from driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., with the two exceptions listed above.
The Full License is the end goal for young drivers. Once a driver reaches age 18, they may apply for a Full License. For those already holding an Operational License, the driving restrictions will merely fall off. No new testing will be needed.
18-year-olds who have never held a driver's license may apply for a Full License as long as they provide:
- proof they completed a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course.
If a young driver adheres to Florida's zero tolerance for alcohol policy, and keeps their driving record free of any traffic convictions, they will be eligible for a Full Class E Driver's License at age 18.
