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How Does It Work?Are you a Florida driver or would like to become one? Getting behind the wheel in the Sunshine State is quite simple. All you have to do is complete a TLSAE course, put together the correct documentation and pass your knowledge and driving tests. This is a complete step-by-step guide that will lead you through all the stages of getting your driver's license in the State of Florida.
Get a Learner's LicenseAllows you to practice driving under supervision.
Get a Teen Driver LicenseAllows you to drive unsupervised with restrictions.
Get a Full (Adult) LicenseAllows you to drive with no restrictions. Types of Driver's Licenses in FloridaFor each license type there's a corresponding type of instruction permit Class E (Non-Commercial) This is the usual kind of driver license. It allows you to operate any noncommercial motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) less than 26,001 pounds, including a passenger car, a 15-passenger van, a truck, a recreational vehicle, or a two-or three-wheel motor vehicle, such as a moped. Valid for 8 years unless you are at least 80 years old, in which case it is valid for 6 years. Read the FL DMV Handbook or take a free FL DMV practice test. How to Apply for Your Class E Driver's LicenseTo apply for a class E driver license you must complete a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course, pass a knowledge exam, a vision test, a hearing test, and a driving test. For teen drivers, Florida has established Graduated Driving Licensing ( GDL) laws that allow you to start driving safely under lower-risk conditions before obtaining full driving privileges. This is your complete plan of action depending on your age: How to Apply for Your Learner's License for the First TimeEveryone under the age of 18 must obtain a learner's license before applying for an intermediate (teen) or full-privilege (adult) driver license. It’s the first step according to Graduated Driver License (GDL) laws. It allows you to practice driving, supervised by a licensed driver at least 21 years of age who is sitting in the front seat next to you. For the first 3 months after getting your learner’s license, you may not drive at night. After that, you may drive until 10:00 p.m. 1Complete TLSAE or EquivalentComplete a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course or an equivalent course offered by your local school board. Once you have completed the course through a registered provider your information is automatically submitted to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHMSV), so paper certificates are no longer needed 2Apply in personApply for the learner's license in person at an DHSMV Driver License Service Center. To locate a nearby Service Center, you can use this map of DHSMV Service Centers. Contact a Service Center close to you to find out what services it offers and whether you can or must make an appointment in advance. You can make an appointment online. 3Bring the documentation to verify the following:
Use these ideas how to select documention: US citizens, immigrants, Canadians, and non-immigrants from countries other than Canada. 4Bring the completed HSMV 71142 formBring the completed form Parental Consent for a Driver Application of a Minor (HSMV 71142). This form must be signed by your parent or guardian in the presence of a Driver License Service Center employee or Notary Public. Note: You don’t have to bring Parental Consent form if you are married (provide a certified marriage certificate as proof or you are an emancipated minor (provide a certified court order as proof). 5Pass vision and hearing examinations, have your picture takenIf your visual acuity readings are below 20/40, you’ll be referred to an eye specialist. Color blindness will not prevent you from getting a license. If you are deaf or cannot hear conversation spoken in a normal tone of voice, you will be requested to mount the outside rearview mirror on the left side of the vehicle, or wear a hearing aid. 6Pass a knowledge testYou may take the knowledge test at the Driver License Service Center or at an authorized third-party exam provider online. However, the DHSMV may randomly select some third-party test-takers for retesting at the Driver License Service Center. Take a free practice test here. 7Pay the $48 driver license feeIf your service center is part of a county tax collector office, you must pay extra $6.25. At all state-owned facilities, you can pay by cash, credit or debit card, personal, company, certified or traveler's check, or money order. You can start practicing driving as soon as you've received your learner’s license. You should practice for at least a year before making the next step but keep in mind that if you haven’t obtained an intermediate or full-privileged license by the time your learner's license expires, you will have to renew your learner's license to be able to drive. Supercharge your chances of passing the DMV testTake free Florida DMV practice tests that are just like the real thing. Show me How to Apply for Your Intermediate (Teen) Driver LicenseAn intermediate driver license is the second step of Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and it allows you to drive unsupervised but with significant restrictions at first. All these restrictions will be lifted when you turn 18, and your intermediate driver license will become a full-privileged driver license.
What is the fee? You don’t have to pay any extra fees, as you already paid when obtaining your learner’s license. Your intermediate driver license restrictions
How to Apply for Florida Full-privilege (Adult) Driver License for 18+Over 18 and never held any type of license? Go to Step 1 Are you a learner’s license holder? Go to Step 7. Are you an intermediate (teen) license holder? Go to Tip for intermediate driver license holders. You can apply for a Florida class E driver license without holding a learner's license first. However, you can still choose to apply for a learner's license if you want to get some supervised driving practice. Here is how to apply for a regular license. 1Complete a TLSAE courseComplete a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course or an equivalent course offered by your local school board. If you hold a valid learner's license from some other jurisdiction, you may be able to avoid taking the course. Once you have completed the course through a registered provider your information is automatically submitted to DHSMV, so paper certificates are no longer needed. 2Apply for the FL driver's license in the State of Florida in person at a DHSMV Driver License Service CenterTo locate a nearby Service Center, you can use this map of DHSMV Service Centers. Contact a Service Center close to you to find out what services it offers and whether you can or must make an appointment in advance. You can make an appointment online. 3Bring the documentation to verify the following:
Use these ideas how to select documentation:
4Pass a vision examinationIf your visual acuity readings are below 20/40, you’ll be referred to an eye specialist. Color blindness will not prevent you from getting a license. 5Pass a hearing examinationIf you are deaf or cannot hear conversation spoken in a normal tone of voice, you will be requested to mount the outside rearview mirror on the left side of the vehicle, or you wear a hearing aid. 6Pass a knowledge testYou may take the knowledge test at the Driver License Service Center or at an authorized third-party exam provider. However, the DHSMV may randomly select some third-party test-takers for retesting at the Driver License Service Center. 7Pass a driving testYou may take the driving test at a Driver License Service Center or a third-party driving test provider. For the test, you usually must provide your own vehicle. However, some third-party test providers will let you use one of their vehicles. 8Have your picture taken9Pay the FL driver license fee of $48.00If your service center is part of a county tax collector office, you must pay extra $6.25. At all state-owned facilities, you can pay by cash, credit or debit card, personal, company, certified or traveler's check, or money order. If you hold a learner’s license you don’t have to pay any fees, as you already paid when obtaining your learner’s license. 10Surrender your learner’s license if you have oneTip for intermediate driver license holders: All restrictions on your unsupervised driving will expire, and your intermediate license will automatically become a full-privileged (adult) driver license when you turn 18. You don’t have to exchange it for a new one. Instead, you may wait until your existing license is about to expire. Then renew it, and you will be issued a new full-privileged driver license. Does everybody pay the fee?
Florida Class E Knowledge ExamAll questions are based on Florida Driver’s Handbook. Remember that you will have to be familiar with Florida traffic laws, safe driving practices, and traffic controls. Take a free practice test How many questions are in the test? The Florida knowledge test is a computerized test consisting of 50 multiple choice questions with two wrong and one correct answer only. You must answer 40 questions correctly, or score 80 % to pass the test. You will know immediately if you passed. Where can I take the test? In person at DHSMV Service Centers or at an authorized third-party exam provider. If you are younger than 18, third-party exam providers will offer you to take the test online. If you pass, the exam information will automatically go to DHSMV and will be available at all driver license offices. A lot of high school driver education classes are also authorized to provide the exam. Check if your school is taking part in Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP). But keep in mind, the DHSMV may randomly select some third-party test-takers for retesting at the Driver License Service Center. Can I use the Florida handbook on the test? No. That would be considered cheating. How do I know when I'm ready to take my Florida Class E knowledge test? When you are familiar with the handbook and can easily take the practice test, you are ready. If you have passed the practice tests available here and feel comfortable with your score, you are ready! What common mistakes should I avoid when taking the knowledge test? After putting so much effort into studying, you don't want to make mistakes that you can easily avoid! The biggest error to avoid is rushing through questions. Take your time and remember what you have studied. What if I fail? You may retake it whenever you are ready. The cost of retesting is $10. Keep in mind that a $6.25 service fee is added if you take the test at a tax collector office. Pass your DMV test the first time with Driving-Tests Premium!73% more effective than the DMV manual. Tell me more Driving Skills TestStep-by-Step Guide What to Expect During Florida Driving Skills Test. You can take the driving skills test at DHSMV Service Centers or at an authorized third-party exam provider. Your result will automatically go to DHSMV and will be available at all driver license offices. A lot of high school driver education classes are also authorized to provide the test. Check if your local high school is taking part in Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP). But keep in mind, the DHSMV may randomly select some third-party test-takers for retesting at the Driver License Service Center. The driving skills test will last approximately 20 minutes. No passengers are permitted during the exam, unless a language interpreter is necessary. Your car safety check You must provide a vehicle with a valid license tag and proof of insurance for the exam. Moreover, if your vehicle does not meet the minimum safety requirements, your driving skills test will be cancelled. The examiner will check if the following items are in working order:
Maneuvers you’ll be asked to perform Follow the examiner’s instructions!
End of the test Upon your return to the center, your examiner will tell you whether you pass or fail. The examiner will explain any mistakes you made and show you the areas that need improvement. If you fail, you will be asked to practice before retaking the test. You should not be failing your driving test several times. This is an indication to the examiner that you are NOT ready to handle the responsibilities of the road. You usually have up to 5 shots to pass your road test before you will be required to wait a year before trying again. The fee for retaking the driving skills test is $20. How to Replace or Renew Your Driver's License in Florida
New residents: How to get the Florida Driver's LicenseIf you become a resident of Florida and want to transfer your out-of-state or out-of country driver's license, you must apply for a Flroida's driver's license within 30 days. Not sure if you are a resident of Florida? Florida considers you a resident of the state if you meet at least one of the following requirements:
I've Got a Valid Out-of-State LicenseMoving from another US state? Welcome to Florida! You can transfer your out-of- state driver license if you are at least 16 years of age. If your out-of-state license is currently valid, you will be asked to pass the vision and hearing tests only. Otherwise, you may be required to take the knowledge and driving skills tests. Plan of Action
Once you meet the above requirements, the DMV will issue you a Florida full-privilege driver license. Your driver license will be valid for eight years and will expire at midnight on your birthday. I've Got a Valid Foreign LicenseMoving from another country? Welcome to Florida! The procedure for transferring your foreign license is similar to that for applying for a new Florida driver's license. However, if you have a currently valid license from one of the following countries, you won't be required to pass a knowledge test or a driving skills test:
Plan of Action
73% more effective than the handbook Free Florida DMV Practice Tests Show me Official driver's manuals Florida DMV Driver's Manuals Show me What documents do I need to get my Florida driver's license?Customers who have recently changed their name should update their records with the Social Security Administration before applying for a driver license or ID card.. Primary Identification. ... . NOTES. ... . Proof of Social Security. ... . Proof of Residential Address. ... . Proof of Residential Address for CLP and CDL Holders.. What ID do I need to get a driver's license in Florida?An original Social Security card or acceptable proof of Social Security number. Full Social Security number must appear on the document. Social Security records must match name being used before issuance of a Florida driver license or identification card.
How do I transfer my drivers license to Florida?Step 1: Make an appointment at your local DHSMV.. Submit required documents & ID.. Pass the vision test.. Surrender your out-of-state driver's license.. Submit payment.. Receive a temporary driver's license.. |