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Updated
Minimum age: 16 for a standard driver’s license; 15 for a learner’s license
Required documents: Primary identification card, like a passport or U.S. birth certificate; proof of Social Security, like your original Social Security card; and proof of address, such as your mortgage statement or utility bill
Testing requirements: Must pass a knowledge exam, vision and hearing exam, and behind-the-wheel driving test
Estimated cost: $48
Timeline: One year for drivers aged 15, 16, and 17; a few days for drivers aged 18 or older
Florida residents can get a driver’s license by passing a series of tests, unless they’re transferring a valid license from another state. Here’s what to expect if you’re getting a new license:
Meet the age limit. You need to be at least 15 years old to obtain a learner’s license. But if you’re already 18 years old, you can apply for a standard driver’s license without needing a learner’s permit.[1]
Take a driver education course. Regardless of age, Florida requires new drivers to complete a safety course. Drivers younger than 18 must complete the Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course. Drivers aged 18 or older must complete the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course.
Take several tests. People seeking a learner’s license must pass a vision and hearing exam, as well as the Class E Knowledge Exam. In addition to those tests, drivers aged 18 or older must take a behind-the-wheel exam to obtain their standard license.
Get experience on the road. Teen drivers must complete at least 50 hours of driving time, 10 of which must be at night.
Take the road test. After one year with a learner’s permit, teens can apply for a standard license by taking a road skills test. You’ll need to bring a registered vehicle that passes inspection, a current Florida insurance policy, and a licensed driver who’s at least 21 years old to the test day.[2]
Pay the fee. If you pass the test, you can walk out of the DMV with your standard license after paying the fee of $48.[3] Keep in mind that some locations, such as tax collector offices, may charge additional fees.
Save up to $1,100 per year on coverage
As a first-time driver, you’ll need to bring three types of original documents to the Florida DMV. Starting with your primary identification:
U.S. birth certificate
Valid U.S. passport
Consular Report of Birth Abroad
Certificate of Naturalization
Certificate of Citizenship
You’ll also need to provide proof of Social Security through one of the following documents:
Original Social Security card
W-2 form
Paystub
SSA-1099
Any 1099
Last but not least, you’ll need to provide proof of your residential address in Florida. Plan to bring at least two of the following documents:
Home deed
Mortgage statement
Lease agreement
Florida voter registration card
Valid Florida vehicle registration
Utility bill
Selective service card
Medical card
Medical bill
Paystub
W-2 form
Insurance policy
Financial statement
Letter with certificate of address from homeless shelter, transitional service provider, or halfway house
The document requirements will look a bit different for non-U.S. citizens.
A standard driver’s license costs $48 in Florida, which includes a learner’s license and license renewals. For new drivers, the state requires that you take a Driver Education Traffic Safety course.[4] The cost for this required training varies based on the company, but generally, it’s not more than $30.
If you need to retake the written exam, you’ll face a $10 fee. Retaking the skills test comes with a $20 fee. The table below outlines the fees drivers can expect when pursuing a Florida driver’s license.
Fee Type  | Cost |
|---|---|
| Approved Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course | Varies: Free to $19 or more |
| Permit fee | $48 |
| Class E driver’s license fee | $48 |
| Knowledge retest fee | $10 |
| Skill retest fee | $20 |
Teen drivers can obtain a learner’s license at age 15 and a standard driver’s license at 16 years old. But they’ll need to hold a learner’s permit for at least 12 months or until they turn 18 before being eligible for a standard driver’s license.
Teens aged 18 or 19 can apply for a regular driver’s license right away. But otherwise, Florida teens will need to follow the steps below to get on the road:
Obtain a learner’s permit. If you’re at least 15, you can apply for a learner’s permit. You’ll need to pass a hearing and vision test, pass a written permit test, complete a DETS course, and present a Parent Consent Form with a notarized signature. Additionally, provide proof of your identity, residential address, and Social Security number.
Meet your driving hour requirements. Teen drivers must complete at least 50 hours of driving time, including 10 at night.
Apply for a standard driver’s license. After one year, you can apply for a standard license. You’ll need to pass the road test to obtain your restricted license.
Pay the fee. If you pass the test and pay the $48 fee, you’ll leave with a standard license. Notably, some locations that offer driver’s license services, such as tax collector offices, may charge additional fees.
Teens aged 16 and 17 with a standard license don’t have full driving privileges. Instead, they can only drive at certain times. Keep this in mind when using your new license. All restrictions are lifted when you turn 18. The table below breaks down key driving restrictions for Florida teens.
License Type | Hours Teens Are Allowed to Drive | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Learner’s license | Daylight hours for three months; until 10 p.m. after that | Must be at least 15 years old Must have a licensed driver at least 21 years of age in the vehicle Must hold a learner’s license for at least 12 months or until age 18, whichever comes first Must complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 hours at night |
| Driver’s license for 16-year-olds | 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. | Hours apply unless driving to or from work or with a licensed driver at least 21 years old |
| Driver’s license for 17-year-olds | 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. | Hours apply unless driving to or from work or with a licensed driver at least 21 years old |
| Full, unrestricted license: 18 | 24/7 | N/A |
Score the best car insurance rates for your age
You’ll need a REAL ID to travel through domestic airports. Here’s how to get one in Florida:[5]
Check if you already have one. Luckily, all new Florida driver’s licenses are REAL IDs. Look for a star in the upper right corner of your driver’s license. If it’s there, you already have a REAL ID. If not, make an appointment at a location that issues driver’s licenses, such as the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles or a local tax collector’s office.
Bring the required documents. Come to the appointment with originals of your certified birth certificate, current passport, Social Security card, and any documents that support legal name changes, such as a marriage certificate or court order. Additionally, bring two documents to provide your current Florida address, like a voter registration card or utility bill.[6]
If you’re a new resident of Florida with a current out-of-state license, you may be able to transfer it to the Sunshine State. New residents must complete the transfer within 30 days of moving to the state. Here’s how:[7]
Confirm residency. Before you get started, confirm your residency status. You might be considered a Florida resident if you’ve started a job in the state, enrolled your child in Florida public schools, registered to vote, filed for a homestead tax exemption, or lived in the state for more than six consecutive months.
Make an appointment. You’ll need to tackle this chore in person. Some locations may accept walk-ins.
Pass the vision test. Although you can often skip a road skills test, you’ll need to pass a vision and hearing test.
Pay the fee. To leave with a Florida driver’s license, you’ll need to pay a fee of $48.
If your out-of-state driver’s license has expired, you’ll face more involved requirements. You’ll likely need to pass a knowledge exam and road skills test.
The state of Florida requires drivers to renew their license every eight years. You can renew your license up to 18 months before it expires. But if you change your address or name, you can replace the card sooner. Here’s how to renew or replace your license:
Online: You can renew your driver’s license online every other renewal period. If you need to update your address or replace a lost credential, you can also do this online. The new card should arrive in the mail within two to three weeks.
In person: If you used the online renewal last time, want to update your name or photo, or aren’t REAL ID compliant, you must update your driver’s license at a physical location.
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The state of Florida requires every driver, including teens with a learner’s license, to carry a minimum amount of car insurance.
New drivers can expect to face higher insurance premiums due to their lack of experience behind the wheel. But, notably, state law prevents insurance companies from charging more for coverage when a parent adds a teen with a learner’s permit to their car insurance policy. After the teen obtains a standard driver’s license, families often face higher insurance costs.
Generally, it’s significantly more affordable for parents to add teen drivers to their existing policies. The table below highlights the average insurance premiums for teen drivers from the cheapest Florida car insurance companies.
Insurance Company | Average Monthly Quote: Liability Only | Average Monthly Quote: Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Clearcover | $135 | $332 |
| Progressive | $146 | $240 |
| State Farm | $149 | $239 |
| GEICO | $156 | $325 |
| Mile Auto | $172 | $323 |
| Embark | $177 | $432 |
| Dairyland | $187 | $536 |
| GAINSCO | $201 | $480 |
| Mercury | $216 | $317 |
| The General | $220 | $423 |
| Direct Auto | $225 | $375 |
| Bristol West | $231 | $358 |
| Root | $235 | $415 |
| Allstate | $263 | $422 |
| AssuranceAmerica | $278 | $504 |
| National General | $280 | $362 |
| Travelers | $329 | $529 |
| Mendota | $377 | $587 |
| First Acceptance | $378 | $553 |
| Liberty Mutual | $386 | $500 |
If you have questions about getting a driver’s license in the Sunshine State, the following answers may help.
If you’re transferring an out-of-state license to a Florida license, it may only take an hour or two to apply for your new license in person. In some cases, it might take a few days for the state to review your application and issue the new license. New drivers younger than 18 will need to complete a training course and hold a learner’s license for one year before they can apply for a license.
The exact cost of a Florida license varies based on the type you need. A standard Class E license or renewal costs $48. Commercial driver’s licenses in Florida cost $75.
If you’re renewing your Florida driver’s license, you can apply for renewal online every other renewal period. But if you need an original license, you’ll have to apply in person.
If you’re a new resident, you’ll need to apply for a Florida driver’s license at any local office offering driver’s license services, such as tax collector offices and Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles locations. While you’ll be given a vision test, you may not need to take a written or road test.
Drivers must bring documents that establish proof of identity, a Social Security number, and a physical address. Some acceptable documents include a U.S. birth certificate, a valid U.S. passport, a Social Security card, a paystub, a Florida voter registration card, a utility bill, or a recent medical bill.
Additionally, teen drivers must be at least 16 years old and have held a learner’s license for at least one year.
If you already have a valid out-of-state driver’s license, making an appointment with a licensing location is the fastest way to get your Florida driver’s license. If you’re renewing your Florida license, you can apply online every other year.
For new drivers younger than age 18, the state requires you to take an education course, pass a road rules test, and hold a learner’s license for at least one year before having the opportunity to test for a standard driver’s license.
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7+ years writing insurance and personal finance content
Contributor to top media, including USA Today
Featured in
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
Featured in
Media relations director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
Impartial, independent expert
At Insurify, our goal is to help customers compare insurance products and find the best policy for them. We strive to provide open, honest, and unbiased information about the insurance products and services we review. Our hard-working team of data analysts, insurance experts, insurance agents, editors and writers, has put in thousands of hours of research to create the content found on our site.
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