Florida Driver's Handbook 2009

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1. Your License

• 1.1. Classified Driver Licenses
• 1.2. Licensing Information
• 1.3. Identifying Yourself
• 1.4. Non US Citizens
• 1.5. Examination Information
• 1.6. Appointments
• 1.7. License Renewal
• 1.8. Identification Card
• 1.9. Fees
• 1.10. Organ Donor Program/Voluntary Contributions

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Who Needs One?

1. If you live in Florida and want to drive a motor vehicle on public streets and highways.
2. If you move to Florida and have a valid license from another state, you must get a Florida license within 30 days of becoming a resident. You are considered a resident of Florida if you:
• Enroll your children in public school, or
• Register to vote, or
• File for a homestead exemption, or
• Accept employment, or
• Reside in Florida for more than six consecutive months.

Who Does Not Need One?

The following persons may drive in Florida without a Florida driver license, if they have a valid license from another state or country:

• Any non-resident who is at least 16 years old.
• Persons employed by the United States government driving a United States government motor vehicle on official business.
• Any non-resident working for a firm on a contract for the United States government. (This exemption is only for 60 days.)
• Any non-resident attending college in Florida.
• Persons who drive only vehicles like farm tractors or road machines temporarily on the highway may drive without a license.
• A licensed driver who lives in another state and travels regularly between his home and work in Florida.
• Non-resident migrant farm workers even though they are employed or place children in the public schools, providing they have a valid license from their home state.
• Members of the Armed Forces stationed in Florida and their dependents, with these exceptions:
  1. Service member or spouse claims homestead exemption (All drivers in family must obtain Florida licenses),
  2. Service member becomes employed (All drivers in family must obtain Florida licenses),
  3. Spouse becomes employed (Spouse and children who drive must obtain Florida licenses),
  4. Child becomes employed (Only employed child who drives must obtain Florida license)

Learner's Driver License

A person who holds a Learner's license must be accompanied by a licensed driver, 21 years of age or older, who occupies the front passenger seat closest to the right of the driver. Drivers can only drive during daylight hours the first three months from the original issue date and must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years or older, occupying the front passenger seat. After the first three months, drivers may operate a vehicle from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a licensed driver, 21 years of age or older, occupying the front passenger seat. Drivers with a Learner's license are ineligible for a motorcycle endorsement.

Requirements

• Be at least 15 years old.
• Pass vision, road signs and road rules tests.
• Have the signature of one parent (or guardian) on the parent consent form, if under age 18.
• Completion of Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education Course.
• Two forms of identification (see Identifying Yourself).
• Proof of Social Security Number.
• Proof of residential address. (Two documents will be required.)
• Must be in compliance with school attendance, if under 18.

The following requirements must be met in order to obtain a regular Class E license:

• Must hold the learner’s license for 12 months or until the 18th birthday.
• Must have NO moving traffic violation convictions 12 months from the issue date of the Learner's license.
• May have one moving traffic violation conviction within 12 months from the issue date of the learner’s license, if adjudication is withheld.
• A parent, legal guardian or responsible adult over 21 years old must certify that the driver has 50 hours of driving experience, of which 10 hours must be at night.

Parent's Consent for Minors

If you are under 18 and are not married, your license application must be signed by one parent or legal guardian.

The application must be signed in front of the examiner or a notary public. Whoever signs your application agrees to take responsibility with you for your driving. If the signer decides not to accept responsibility for your driving, your license will be canceled. To cancel the license, the signer must write a letter to the department at the address listed below, requesting to withdraw their consent for the minor driver. Include the complete name, date of birth and driver license number of the minor driver in the letter.

Division of Driver License
Neil Kirkman Building
2900 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Attn: Bureau Chief of Driver Improvement

THE CONSENT FORM MUST BE NOTARIZED OR SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE EXAMINER.

NOTE:The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles launched a parents section on its teen driving website www.flhsmv.gov/teens. The new and improved website now provides parents with useful information to help them teach their teens to become safe drivers. Florida's graduated driver licensing program allows teens to obtain a learner’s permit at age 15, which restricts them to driving only under certain conditions with a licensed adult. Other restrictions apply to teens with an operator’s license until their 18th birthday.

To ensure that both parents and teens have a complete understanding of the law, an explanation of each phase of the graduated licensing program and the related restrictions can be found on the website. Certain behaviors are associated with the cause of the high fatality rate of teen drivers including: inexperience and immaturity combined with speed, alcohol consumption, not wearing seatbelts, distractions, drowsiness, and driving when visibility is limited. The website includes a driving guide and a driving log to track the 50 hours of practice that teens must to obtain their intermediate operator’s license. To visit the website, please go to: www.flhsmv.gov/teens.

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