Driving Tests

Florida Teen Driving Curfew: Driver License Rules at 16 and 17

informational·how to guide·Published May 24, 2026

What is the driving curfew for teens in Florida?

A 16-year-old with a Florida Class E driver license may drive only between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. A 17-year-old may drive only between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m. Two exceptions apply at both ages: driving to or from work, or driving with a licensed driver who is at least 21. At 18, the curfew ends.

Where the Florida curfew rules come from

The curfew hours are in Florida Statutes section 322.16 and on the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) teen driver license page. The steps from learner's license to driver license are in section 322.05 and on the same FLHSMV page. The points table comes from the Official Florida Driver License Handbook, and the fine comes from section 318.18 of the Florida Statutes. 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.

Florida teen driving hours by age

Florida teen driving hours by age
Age	Hours you may drive on your own	Hours that need an exception
16	6 a.m. to 11 p.m.	After 11 p.m. and before 6 a.m.
17	5 a.m. to 1 a.m.	After 1 a.m. and before 5 a.m.
18	All hours, with no adult in the car	None

Exceptions to the Florida teen curfew at 16 and 17

A trip to or from work. The law says the teen must be driving "directly to or from work".
A licensed adult in the car. The adult must be at least 21 years old.
The same two exceptions at both ages. In the law, the first curfew covers license holders under 17, and the second covers those who are 17.

Who counts as the adult driver after curfew?

The adult must be at least 21 and hold a valid license for the type of vehicle that the teen drives. FLHSMV says that adult must sit in the closest seat to the right of the driver. A 16-year-old who drives at midnight, and not directly to or from work, needs that adult in the car. Check yourself with the free question on the Florida age 16 night driving restriction. The same rule applies to a 17-year-old after 1 a.m. and before 5 a.m.

What happens if a teen drives in restricted hours?

The law says the teen is charged with a moving violation and fined under chapter 318. Section 318.18 sets $60 (U.S. dollars) for a moving violation that does not need a court appearance, and court costs are added to the fine. The point table of the Official Florida Driver License Handbook lists driving during restricted hours as 3 points. A Class E licensee aged 15 to 17 with six or more points within 12 months gets a "Business Purposes Only" restriction for at least 1 year. It ends at age 18 if no other grounds exist. The Florida teen driver points and penalties guide explains more.

How to move from a learner's license to a Class E driver license

1
Get a learner's license
The law allows a learner's license from age 15. An applicant under 18 needs a signed Parental Consent Form (71142).
2
Hold it for 12 months or until age 18
FLHSMV says to hold the learner's license for at least 12 months, or until age 18, whichever comes first. You must be at least 16 to get the Class E driver license.
3
Keep your record clear of moving violation convictions
The law asks for no moving traffic convictions before you apply. A teen with one moving traffic conviction can still qualify after electing a traffic driving school, when adjudication is withheld under section 318.14.
4
Log 50 hours of driving, 10 of them at night
A parent, guardian or other responsible adult certifies the hours on the Certification of Minor Driving Experience Form (71143). The hours can be with that adult or with another licensed driver who is 21 or older. The form is signed in front of a driver license examiner, or it is notarized. The free question on certified driving hours for a 17-year-old tests this rule.
5
Pass the Class E Driving Skills Test
Pass the test, then surrender your learner's license at a service center. FLHSMV charges no fee for the Class E license if you surrender the learner's license and do not need a name or address change.

Does a ticket on a learner's license delay my driver license?

It can. FLHSMV says that after a moving traffic conviction on a learner's license, the one-year hold period is extended for one year from the conviction date, or until age 18, whichever comes first. FLHSMV pages describe the one-year rule in two ways: from the issue date of the learner's license, or from the conviction date. If your case is not clear, ask FLHSMV before you book the skills test.

Which rule applies to you?

You hold a learner's license (age 15 or older)

A licensed driver who is at least 21 must sit in the closest seat to the right of you at all times. You may drive only in daylight hours for the first 3 months, then until 10 p.m. The Florida learner's license guide has the full steps.

You are 16 with a Class E driver license

Drive between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Outside those hours, drive only to or from work, or with a licensed driver who is 21 or older.

You are 17 with a Class E driver license

Drive between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m. Outside those hours, drive only to or from work, or with a licensed driver who is 21 or older.

You are 18 with a driver license

FLHSMV says driving is allowed at all hours without an adult in the car.

Key takeaways

A 16-year-old with a Class E license drives 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; a 17-year-old drives 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.
The exceptions are a trip directly to or from work, or a licensed driver who is 21 or older.
A curfew violation is a moving violation. The handbook lists it as 3 points.
To move up, hold the learner's license 12 months or until 18, log 50 hours (10 at night) and pass the skills test.
Next step: practice Florida road rules on the free Florida Class E Knowledge practice test.

Florida teen driving curfew questions

Can a 16-year-old drive home from work after 11 p.m. in Florida?

Yes. The law lets a license holder under 17 drive after 11 p.m. and before 6 a.m. when the trip is directly to or from work. For any other trip in those hours, a licensed driver who is at least 21 must be in the car. A 17-year-old has the same work exception between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Do I need 50 hours of driving to get a Florida license at 16?

Yes. Before a driver license at 16 or 17, an adult must certify at least 50 hours of driving, with 10 hours at night. A parent, guardian or other responsible adult signs Form 71143 in front of a driver license examiner, or has it notarized. The hours can be with that adult or with another licensed driver who is 21 or older.

At what age does the Florida driving curfew end?

At 18. The law sets curfew hours only for license holders under 17 and for those who are 17. FLHSMV says an 18-year-old with a driver license may drive at all hours without an adult in the car. A "Business Purposes Only" restriction from six or more points also ends at 18, if no other grounds exist.

Does a curfew ticket add points in Florida?

Yes. The handbook point table lists driving during restricted hours as 3 points. For a Class E licensee aged 15 to 17, six or more points within 12 months bring a "Business Purposes Only" restriction. The restriction lasts at least 1 year, and parking violations do not count toward the six points.

Does a parent have to sign for a teen license in Florida?

Yes. An applicant under 18 needs a signed Parental Consent Form for a learner's license. By law, a parent or guardian who signs the application is jointly liable with the minor for damages from the minor's negligence or willful misconduct. The signer can later cancel the license with a letter to FLHSMV that withdraws consent.