Minimum age for a car driving licence in Florida (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: A learner's driver licence is available from 15 and a driver licence from 16, after at least 12 months on the learner's licence. A nonresident aged 16 or over with a valid home licence may drive.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 16 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [2] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | A licence may not be issued to a person under 16. A person aged 16 or 17 must meet the driver education requirement of s. 322.091 and must have held a learner's licence for at least 12 months with no moving traffic convictions (or have a conviction and elect to attend traffic driving school), unless holding a licence issued in another state or a foreign jurisdiction. A parent or other responsible adult must certify supervised driving practice. [1] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | A nonresident aged at least 16 who holds a valid noncommercial driver licence from the home state or country may drive a vehicle of the type for which a Class E licence is required, if the licence is not invalid under s. 322.033. [3] |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [2] |
| Supervised driving hours requiredCar (category B) driving licence | An applicant aged 16 or 17 needs a parent's, guardian's or responsible adult's certificate of at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel experience with a licensed driver aged 21 or over, at least 10 of them at night. [1] |
| Night-time limit for new driversCar (category B) driving licence | A licence holder under 17 may drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. only with a licensed driver aged 21 or over, and a 17-year-old between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. likewise, unless driving directly to or from work. A learner's licence holder may drive only in daylight for the first three months, then until 10 p.m. [4] |
Notes
- This is the age for the first licence, which requires 12 months on a learner's licence. Time-of-day and other restrictions may apply to 16- and 17-year-old licence holders.
Sources
- Florida Legislature: Section 322.05, Florida Statutes (2025) - Persons not to be licensed (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Florida Legislature: Section 322.1615, Florida Statutes (2025) - Learner's driver license (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Florida Legislature: Section 322.04, Florida Statutes (2025) - Persons exempt from obtaining driver license (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- The Florida Senate: Florida Statutes 2025, s. 322.16 (License restrictions) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
Florida and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age for a car licence | Earliest age to drive a car supervised | Driving before the minimum age | Visitors on a foreign licence: age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 16 (after 12 months on a learner's licence) | 15 (learner's licence) | 16-17: 12 months on learner's licence first | Yes, 16+ with a valid home licence |
| Alabama | 16 (Stage II restricted licence) | 15 (Stage I learner's permit) | Restricted from 16; unrestricted from 17-18 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Georgia | 16 (Class D provisional licence) | 15 (Class CP learner's permit) | Class D at 16-17 after 1 year + 1 day on a permit | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Florida
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence (misdemeanour up to 20 g) · Growing at home: Prohibited, including for patients
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: None (local may set)
- Fireworks
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Common pocketknife is not a 'weapon' · Locking or one-handed knives: Only ballistic knives banned outright
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.00 per hour (from 30 Sep 2026)
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Texting only · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Under 18 only
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21+ · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21+
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.