Florida Teen Driving Laws Explained: Passenger Rules, Curfews, and Penalties

Florida’s roads can be tough for any driver, but for teens just starting out, the risks are even higher. In 2023 alone, teen drivers were involved in more than 44,600 crashes in our state, including 110 fatalities. That’s why Florida has specific teen driving laws on age, curfews, passengers, and safety restrictions to help young drivers gain experience while staying safe. In this guide, we’ll break down those rules, share key tips for parents and teens, and cover the upcoming 2025 driver education change—so your family knows what to expect when a teen gets behind the wheel.

When Can You Drive in Florida?

In Florida, the earliest your teen can get behind the wheel is at age 15, when they can apply for a learner’s license. To qualify, they must pass a written test, as well as vision and hearing exams, and complete a traffic law and substance abuse course. Starting August 1, 2025, that course will expand into a new 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) program, replacing the old 4-hour TLSAE course for anyone under 18.

It’s also important to clear up some myths: teens can’t start driving at 14, and they can’t drive alone at 15. With a learner’s license, they must always have a licensed driver who is at least 21 sitting in the front passenger seat. For the first three months, they can only drive during daylight hours; after that, they may drive until 10 p.m. Only after turning 16 and meeting all requirements can they move up to a Class E license and drive alone, though even then, curfew limits and passenger safety rules still apply.

Of course, getting a permit is just the first step. Florida’s Graduated Driver Licensing system builds on that by slowly giving teens more independence while keeping important safeguards in place.

Florida’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Stages

Florida uses a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system that is a step-by-step process that gives them time to build experience before taking on the full responsibility of driving alone at all hours. Each stage has its own rules, and breaking them can delay the path to a full license or even create legal and financial problems if an accident happens. Here’s what the stages look like:

If your teen drives outside their allowed hours without the proper exception, it’s not just a ticket they have to worry about. If they cause a crash during restricted hours, that violation can complicate insurance claims and increase the chance you’ll face personal liability as a parent. That’s why knowing and following these time limits is just as important as teaching them to use a turn signal.

Once teens start driving on their own, another big question comes up: can they drive friends around? Here’s how Florida handles passengers at each stage.

Passenger Rules for New Drivers – When Can Teens Drive Friends?

Of course, one of the first questions teens ask after getting their license is, “When can I drive my friends?” While Florida law gives new drivers more freedom once they move from a learner’s permit to a Class E license, safety experts know that the more passengers a teen has, the greater the risk of a crash. Let’s break down passenger restrictions for teen drivers in Florida:

• Learner’s Permit (Age 15+): No friends or siblings in the car unless the supervising driver is present. Can only drive with a licensed driver age 21 or older in the front passenger seat.
• Class E License – Age 16: Can drive friends right away, but the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Department recommends only passengers under 18 for safety. Because more passengers mean more distractions, the crash risk goes up significantly.
• Class E License – Age 17: Same rules as age 16—legally, you can drive friends, but keeping it to one young passenger is the safest choice.
• Full License – Age 18+: At 18, all Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) restrictions are lifted. Teens can legally drive at any hour and carry any number of passengers.

While the law doesn’t set a strict waiting period before driving friends, limiting passengers early on can help new drivers focus, gain experience, and avoid preventable accidents. Just as passengers can affect safety, so can driving at night. That’s why Florida sets strict curfew rules for teen drivers.

Curfew Rules for Teen Drivers or How Late Can Teens Drive in Florida?

Florida’s curfew rules for teen drivers are meant to keep young drivers safe during the hours when crash risks are highest. If your teen is 16, they can only drive between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Once they turn 17, the allowed hours expand to 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.

There are only two exceptions: driving to or from work, or having a licensed driver age 21 or older in the front passenger seat. Police do enforce these rules, and teens caught driving past curfew can face tickets, points on their record, and higher insurance costs. If they’re involved in an accident during restricted hours, that violation can also complicate insurance claims and legal liability for your family.

Once a teen turns 18, all curfew restrictions are lifted. They can legally drive at any time of day or night. Still, statistics show crash risks remain high for drivers under 25, especially in late-night hours. That’s why we recommend that parents set their own family rules about nighttime driving, even after state restrictions end.

Breaking these curfew or licensing, or other rules comes with real consequences. Florida law has several penalties that can delay or restrict your teen’s driving privileges.

Penalties and Consequences for Teen Driving Laws Violations

Breaking Florida’s teen driving laws can trigger serious consequences that go far beyond paying a ticket. Here’s what parents and teens should know:

• Moving violation during learner’s license – Extends the learner’s period by 12 months from the date of the violation or until the teen turns 18 (whichever comes first).
• Six points in 12 months – License restricted to “Business Purposes Only” for one year or until 18; additional points add 90 days each.
• Zero Tolerance alcohol law – BAC of 0.02% or higher for drivers under 21 results in a 6-month suspension (first offense) or 1 year (second offense). Refusing a BAC test means a 12-month suspension (first) or 18 months (second).
• Tobacco or nicotine possession – Conviction can lead to a license suspension of 30 days or more.
• Parental license cancellation – Parents or guardians who signed the consent form can revoke their teen’s driving privileges at any time.
• School attendance requirement – If a student isn’t in compliance with school attendance rules, their license can be suspended, or they may be blocked from getting one. To reinstate privileges, they must show proof of 30 consecutive days of school attendance.
• Insurance impact – Violations often lead to higher premiums and can make accident claims more difficult to resolve.

Still, even with these restrictions in place, teen drivers remain at high risk for serious crashes. That’s why it’s important to look at the numbers and what parents can do to help prevent accidents.

Teen Driving Accidents and Safety Tips for Preventing Them

Teen drivers make up a small percentage of Florida’s licensed drivers, but they’re involved in a disproportionate number of crashes. In 2023 alone, teen drivers were involved in 44,616 crashes statewide, leading to thousands of injuries and over 100 fatalities. The most common causes are the same ones we see again and again: inexperience, speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, and nighttime driving when visibility is lower. Adding friends to the car raises the risk even more.

The good news is that most teen driving crashes are preventable. By setting expectations early, building good habits, and following safety tips, parents can help their teens stay safer on the road:

• Buckle up every time – make sure the driver and every passenger wear a seatbelt.
• Limit passengers – fewer distractions mean safer driving.
• Stay focused – no phones, loud music, eating, or other distractions while driving.
• Keep the car maintained – check brakes, tires, and lights regularly.
• Avoid drowsy driving – encourage breaks during long trips; use Florida DOT rest areas.
• Stick to traffic laws – follow speed limits, curfew hours, and passenger rules.
• Lead by example – teens often mirror their parents’ driving habits.

Building safe driving habits now is one of the best ways to keep your teen out of danger and give you peace of mind. But if an accident does happen, knowing your legal options is just as important.

Why Following Teen Driving Laws Matters, And How We Can Help

Florida’s traffic laws and teen driving restrictions are there for a reason, and it’s to keep young drivers safe and to protect everyone on the road. Whether it’s curfew hours, passenger limits, the Zero Tolerance alcohol policy, or school attendance requirements, every rule plays a role in reducing crashes and saving lives. For parents, making sure your teen understands and follows these laws is more than about avoiding tickets, but about preventing tragedies.

If you or your child has been involved in an accident, especially one involving a teen driver, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Our Florida car accident lawyers understand the unique laws that apply to minors and how they can affect insurance claims, liability, and your family’s financial future. We’ll fight to protect your rights, hold negligent drivers accountable, and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

If you need answers about Florida’s teen driving laws or legal help after an accident, call us today at (800) 560-5059 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation. With 24/7 availability and no fees unless we win, you can count on personal attention and powerful advocacy when you need it most.