Florida Teen Driver Supervision Rules by Age (2026): Permit, Curfew & Who Must Ride Along

TLDR In Florida, a learner's permit holder (15+) must be accompanied at all times by a licensed driver at least 21 years old in the front passenger seat. Once licensed, 16-year-olds cannot drive between 11 PM and 6 AM, and 17-year-olds cannot drive between 1 AM and 5 AM, unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ or driving directly to or from work. Florida has no passenger-count restriction for teen drivers.

Facts verified against official Florida sources (F.S. 322.16 and 322.1615), updated August 2026.

Florida Teen Supervision Rules by Age

Florida's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system phases in driving privileges in stages. The supervision requirements change at each step, and the key controls are who must be in the car and what time of day a teen may drive.

Learner's Permit Rules (Age 15 to 17)

A Florida learner's permit is issued at age 15 or older. Under F.S. 322.1615, the holder must be accompanied at all times by a driver who is licensed for the vehicle being driven, is at least 21 years old, and sits in the closest seat to the right of the driver (the front passenger seat). Driving alone, or with an adult who is younger than 21, is a moving violation. The permit holder may drive only during daylight hours for the first 3 months; after that, driving is allowed until 10 PM.

Operator's License Curfews (Age 16 and 17)

Once a teen earns an operator's license (usually at 16), the supervision requirement ends except at night. Under F.S. 322.16: a 16-year-old may not drive between 11 PM and 6 AM, and a 17-year-old may not drive between 1 AM and 5 AM, unless accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old or driving directly to or from work. Note that Florida does not impose a passenger-count limit on teen drivers - a teen can carry any number of passengers - so the curfew and the learner's-permit supervision rule are the rules that actually matter.

What Parents and Teens Should Do to Stay Legal

1. Learner's permit: Keep a licensed driver 21 or older in the front passenger seat on every trip, and observe daylight-only driving for the first 3 months.
2. Track the clock: After 3 months on the permit, driving is allowed until 10 PM, not past it.
3. Log supervised hours: Before upgrading to an operator's license at 16, the teen must hold the permit for 12 months and complete 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night, accrued after the first 3 months).
4. Respect the curfew: Once licensed, know the 11 PM-6 AM (age 16) and 1 AM-5 AM (age 17) curfews. If the teen works late, keep proof of the work schedule in the car.
5. Reinforce the penalty: Curfew and supervision violations are moving violations with fines and points - they can delay the teen's license upgrade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a 15-year-old with a learner's permit need a parent in the car in Florida?

Not specifically a parent, but a licensed driver at least 21 years old must be in the front passenger seat at all times. Any licensed adult 21 or older qualifies.

What are the curfew hours for 16-year-olds in Florida?

A 16-year-old may not drive between 11 PM and 6 AM unless accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old or driving directly to or from work.

Can a 17-year-old drive after midnight in Florida?

Only until 1 AM. A 17-year-old may not drive between 1 AM and 5 AM unless accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old or driving directly to or from work.

How many passengers can a 16-year-old drive with in Florida?

Florida has no passenger-count restriction for teen drivers. Unlike many states, Florida does not limit the number of passengers under 18 a teen may carry.

When do Florida teen driving restrictions end?

All graduated restrictions end at age 18. A 17-year-old's curfew applies until the driver turns 18.

Start Your Course Now

Before a Florida teen can get a learner's permit, they must complete the state-approved 6-hour DETS course (since August 1, 2025, this replaces the 4-hour TLSAE course for first-time drivers under 18). Start the DETS course at LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com, ranked #1 by the Florida DHSMV and approved in all 67 counties. Parents can review the full GDL checklist at LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com.

Citations

• https://flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2022/322.16
• https://flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2022/322.1615
• https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards
• https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/1999/1048/Analyses/19991048STR_SB1048.tr.pdf