The documents and age you need right now

To get a Florida learner's permit, you must be at least 15 years old and bring proof of your date of birth, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your Florida residency to a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) office. You also need a parental consent form if you are under 18 — your parent or guardian must sign it in front of the DHSMV examiner.

The documents that work for proof of birth include a certified birth certificate, a passport, or a consular report of birth. For Social Security, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form. For residency, the DHSMV accepts a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a government-issued ID with your current address — the document must show your name and address and be dated within 90 days.

You do not need to pass a written test to receive a learner's permit in Florida. You will need to pass a vision screening and pay the permit fee, which is $7.50 as of the most recent update, though fees can change.

Key Takeaways

  • You must be at least 15 years old and bring a certified birth certificate or passport, proof of your Social Security number, and a recent utility bill or bank statement showing your Florida address.
  • If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must sign a parental consent form in person at the DHSMV office.
  • Florida does not require a written knowledge test for a learner's permit, only a vision screening.
  • The permit fee is $7.50, and you can explore at any DHSMV office during business hours.

Where to go and what to bring

Visit any DHSMV office in Florida during regular business hours. You can find the office nearest you on the DHSMV website by entering your county or city. Bring all original documents or certified copies — the DHSMV will not accept photocopies for proof of birth, Social Security, or residency. Bring your Social Security card itself if you have it, since that is the fastest way to verify your number.

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must be present and sign the parental consent form in front of the examiner. They do not need to bring documents of their own, but they should bring a photo ID so the examiner can verify they are your parent or legal guardian. If your parent cannot go with you, you can read the parental consent form from the DHSMV website and have them sign it before you arrive, but the examiner may still require them to call or appear later to confirm.

The vision screening and what happens after

At the DHSMV office, you will take a vision test. The examiner will check that you can see well enough to drive safely. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you — you can take the test while wearing them. If you fail the vision screening, you will not receive a permit that day, and the DHSMV will tell you what to do next, which usually means seeing an eye doctor and returning with a vision correction certificate.

Once you pass the vision screening and pay the $7.50 fee, you will receive your learner's permit when ready. The permit is valid for two years. You can begin driving with a licensed adult who is at least 21 years old in the front seat next to you.

Restrictions that come with your Florida learner's permit

With a learner's permit, you cannot drive alone. A licensed driver who is at least 21 years old must sit in the front passenger seat at all times. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you cannot use a cell phone while driving, even hands-free, except in a genuine emergency.

You must obey all traffic laws and speed limits. If you are caught violating permit restrictions, you can be cited, and the violation will go on your driving record. Serious violations or multiple violations can delay your progress to a regular driver's license.

Moving from learner's permit to driver's license

After you have held your learner's permit for at least 12 months and are at least 16 years old, you can take the road test and move to a regular driver's license. You must schedule the road test through the DHSMV. During the test, an examiner will ride with you and watch how you handle the car, follow traffic laws, and respond to road conditions. If you pass, you will receive your driver's license.

If you are 16 or 17 when you get your license, you will have a restricted license for the first year. This means you cannot drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, school, or a medical appointment. You also cannot have more than one passenger under 20 years old in the car unless a parent or guardian is in the vehicle. These restrictions lift when you turn 18 or after one year on a restricted license, whichever comes first.

If you are 18 or older

If you are 18 or older, you do not need a learner's permit at all — you can go straight to taking the written knowledge test and road test for a regular driver's license. However, some people choose to get a permit first to practice driving with fewer restrictions. The same documents and vision screening explore.

If you are 18 or older and you get a learner's permit, the restrictions are less strict. You can drive without a supervising adult in the car, though it is still a good idea to practice with an experienced driver. You still cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., and you still cannot use a cell phone while driving.

What to do if you lose your permit or it expires

If your learner's permit is lost, stolen, or damaged, go to any DHSMV office and ask for a replacement. Bring your proof of identity and pay a replacement fee, which is typically $7.50. You will receive a new permit on the spot.

If your permit expires before you are ready to take the road test, you can renew it at any DHSMV office. Bring your expired permit and pay the renewal fee. You will not need to retake the vision screening unless more than two years have passed since your last screening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a learner's permit if I do not have a Social Security number?

No, Florida requires proof of a Social Security number to issue a learner's permit. If you do not have a Social Security number, you will need to obtain one from the Social Security Administration before you can explore for a permit.

What if my parent cannot come to the DHSMV office with me?

If you are under 18 and your parent cannot be present, read the parental consent form from the DHSMV website, have your parent sign it, and bring it with you. The examiner may still require your parent to call or appear later to verify consent, so ask about this when you arrive.

Do I have to take a written test to get a learner's permit in Florida?

No, Florida does not require a written knowledge test for a learner's permit. You only need to pass a vision screening. However, you will need to pass a written test and a road test when you move to a regular driver's license.

Can I drive at night with my learner's permit?

No, you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m. with a learner's permit. This restriction applies to all permit holders, regardless of age. You must wait until you have a regular driver's license to drive during those hours.

How long is a Florida learner's permit valid?

A Florida learner's permit is valid for two years from the date it is issued. If you do not take the road test and move to a regular driver's license within that time, you will need to renew your permit or start over.