New Driver Rules For Youth

PANAMA CITY, FL – Many Floridians had it easy learning to drive as a youth.  When they were big enough to reach the pedals, they just hopped in a truck on grandpa’s farm and drove around the property.  Times changed and that seemed to be inadequate for the youth of today so a system was established whereby teenagers aged 15 to 17 could obtain a learner permit by completing the online 4-hour Drug Alcohol and Traffic Awareness (DATA) Course (as early as age 14), also called the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course; passing the Florida Permit Test which covered Road Sign and Traffic Laws (age 14½ to 17); then bringing a parent or notarized parental consent with required documents to apply for the permit (age 15 to 17).

According to the Florida Teen Safe Driving Coalition, teen drivers in Florida were involved in 84,052 crashes resulting in 350 fatalities and 1,935 serious injuries in 2020. A recent National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study found that teen drivers were two-and-a-half times more likely to engage in potentially risky behavior when driving with a teenage peer versus driving alone; this likelihood increased to three times when traveling with multiple passengers; and safety belts were not worn in one-third of the fatalities and serious injuries involving these teen drivers.

In an effort to address this, the State of Florida has tightened restrictions on youth under the age of 18 who now must also complete a 6-hour Driver Education/Traffic Safety (DETS) classroom course that has been approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and pass the 40-question exam.  DETS can be taken in-person or online.  

Alternately, youth can enroll in the FDOE Driver Education/Traffic Safety - Classroom 1900300 Course or a Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program DELAP course, which is currently offered at J.R. Arnold High School or Rutherford High School. Please contact your local high school to see if they now offer these classes. 

A teen driver must document fifty (50) hours of behind-the-wheel experience that includes 10 hours of night driving, all with a 21-year or older adult in the seat next to them. and must also complete vision and hearing screenings.

During the first three months of driving with a learner’s permit, a teen may only drive during daylight hours and must be accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or older. After the first three months, driving is permitted until 10 p.m. Teens must hold a learner’s permit for at least one full year or until they turn 18 before applying for a full Florida driver’s license.

To support those preparing for the permit and driving test, the FLHSMV offers a downloadable Florida Driver’s Handbook and a list of approved commercial education programs at www.flhsmv.gov.

Since the rules may change, the best source for the most up-to-date guidance on obtaining a learner’s permit is still your local tax collector’s office.