Driving Tests

Florida Learner's License at 15: Requirements, Hours and Rules

informational·how to guide·Published October 20, 2026

How do you get a Florida learner's license at 15?

You can get a Florida Class E learner's license (often called a permit) at 15. Finish an approved driver education course, pass the vision and hearing test and the Class E Knowledge Exam (40 of 50 correct), and bring proof of identity, Social Security number and address. Under 18, a parent or guardian signs consent. It costs $48, and a licensed driver 21 or older must always ride with you.

Where the Florida learner's license rules come from

Florida sets the learner's license rules in section 322.1615 of the Florida Statutes. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) teen license page lists the steps. Section 322.05 sets the time you hold the license and the 50 practice hours. The exam, fee, form, ticket and license class details come from other FLHSMV teen and license pages and Florida Statutes sections 318.18, 322.09, 322.091, 322.095 and 322.161. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov) before you drive.

How to get a Florida learner's license

1
Check your age and school status
You must be at least 15. If you are under 18, you must also meet the school attendance law in section 322.091.
2
Finish the required driver education course
The law asks for a driver education course that the department approves. The next section explains which course a 15-year-old needs.
3
Pass the Class E Knowledge Exam
The exam has 50 multiple-choice questions on Florida traffic laws, safe driving practices and traffic controls. You pass with 40 correct, or 80 percent. It is in English only. You can take it at a service center. Applicants under 18 can also take it online with an approved third party administrator, which needs a Parent/Guardian On-line Test Proctoring Form (71144). Many high school driver education classes give it through the Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP).
4
Pass the vision and hearing test
The law requires a vision and hearing test. You take it at a service center.
5
Bring your documents and forms
Bring documents that prove your identity, your Social Security number and your home address. The accepted documents are listed at flhsmv.gov/whattobring. If you are under 18, add the signed or notarized Parental Consent Form (form 71142).
6
Visit a service center and pay the fee
You get the learner's license at a service center. It costs $48. If you go to a tax collector office, a $6.25 service fee applies.

Which driver education course do you need?

The law asks a learner's license applicant to finish a department-approved driver education course that meets or exceeds Department of Education course 1900300. The FLHSMV teen license page, as of October 2026, lists proof of Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course completion. Some older FLHSMV pages still say that every first-time applicant must take the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course. The law now requires TLSAE only for applicants 18 or older who have never been licensed in another jurisdiction and did not finish a Department of Education driver education course. The Florida TLSAE and DETS course guide compares the two courses.

Parent or guardian consent under 18

If you are under 18 and not married, a parent or legal guardian must sign your application in front of a driver license examiner, an agent or a notary public. A step-parent may not sign unless that person has legally adopted you. The signer agrees to take responsibility for your driving. Under section 322.09, the signer is also jointly and severally liable with you for damages caused by your negligence or willful misconduct when you drive. If the signer decides to withdraw that responsibility, your license is canceled.

Florida learner's license limits

Florida learner's license limits
Question	Rule
Who must ride with you?	At all times, a driver who holds a valid license for the type of vehicle, is at least 21 and sits in the closest seat to the right of you. Try the practice question on the required supervising driver.
When can you drive?	Only during daylight hours for the first 3 months after the license is issued. After that, until 10 p.m. Try the practice question on permitted driving hours.
What can you drive?	A Class E learner's license covers motor vehicles under 8,000 pounds. It does not allow motorcycles.

How long do you hold it before a Class E license?

You must hold the learner's license for at least 12 months, or until you turn 18 if that comes first. At 16 or 17, a parent, guardian or responsible adult must also certify 50 hours of driving, 10 of them at night; the Florida teen driver curfew guide explains these hours and the rules after you get the license. Then you pass the Class E Driving Skills Test and surrender your learner's license at a service center to get your Class E driver license.

What happens if you get a ticket on a learner's license?

You drive without the required driver 21 or older, or outside the allowed hours

The law treats it as a moving violation with the civil penalty of chapter 318. Section 318.18 lists $60 for moving violations that do not need a mandatory court appearance, unless another part of that section sets a different amount.

You are convicted of a moving traffic violation

The time you must hold the learner's license is extended for one year from the conviction date, or until you turn 18 if that comes first.

You have one moving traffic conviction, choose a traffic driving school and adjudication is withheld

At 16 or 17, the law still lets you apply for the Class E license after 12 months with the learner's license.

You collect 6 or more points in 12 months, not counting parking tickets

Under section 322.161, you get a license restricted to business purposes only for at least 1 year. The restriction ends at 18 if there are no other grounds.

Key takeaways

You can get a Florida learner's license at 15 after the vision and hearing test, the Class E Knowledge Exam (40 of 50) and the required driver education course.
Under 18, a parent or guardian must sign consent, and you must meet the school attendance law.
A licensed driver who is 21 or older must sit in the closest seat to your right at all times. You may drive in daylight for 3 months, then until 10 p.m.
Hold the license at least 12 months or until 18. At 16 or 17, also log 50 driving hours, 10 at night, before the Class E license.
Next step: practice on the free Florida Class E Knowledge practice test. It is in English only.

Florida learner's license: common questions

Can I drive to school alone with a learner's license in Florida?

No. With a learner's license, you must drive with a licensed driver who is at least 21 and sits in the front passenger seat at all times. This also applies on the trip to and from school. You can drive without a supervisor only after you get a Class E driver license.

Can a grandparent or family friend supervise my practice drives?

Yes, if that person holds a valid license for the type of vehicle, is at least 21 and sits in the closest seat to your right. For the 50 practice hours, the law also counts drives with another licensed driver 21 or older, not only drives with the parent or guardian who signs the certification.

When can I start night driving on a learner's license?

Three months after the license is issued. Until then, you may drive only during daylight hours. After 3 months, you may drive until 10 p.m., always with your licensed driver 21 or older. Plan the 10 night hours that the Class E license needs for the time after the first 3 months.

Can I get a Florida learner's license if I am homeschooled?

Yes. The school attendance law counts a home education program, as well as a public or nonpublic school, if you meet its attendance rules. A high school diploma or equivalency diploma also counts. You still need the course, the vision and hearing test, the Class E Knowledge Exam and the Parental Consent Form.