Florida DMV Permit Test · Class E Knowledge Exam
Florida DMV Permit Test: Licensing, Alcohol, and Driver Responsibility Concepts
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Overview
This chapter covers the rules for getting and keeping a Florida license, plus the laws on seat belts, phones, alcohol, and crashes. Teen license steps and alcohol limits come with exact numbers, so learn them carefully.
You can get a learner license at age 15. A learner must always drive with a licensed driver age 21 or older in the front passenger seat. For the first three months, a learner may drive only in daylight, and after that until 10 p.m. To get a Class E license, a teen must hold the learner license for 12 months (or until turning 18) and log 50 practice hours, 10 of them at night. A 16-year-old with a license may not drive alone from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., and a 17-year-old from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., unless with a licensed driver 21 or older or driving to or from work.
It is illegal to drive with a blood or breath alcohol level of 0.08% or more, and for drivers under 21 the limit is 0.02%. By driving in Florida you agree to a lawful breath, blood, or urine test. Refusing for the first time brings a one-year license suspension, and refusing again brings 18 months.
The driver, the front seat passenger, and every passenger under 18 must wear a seat belt. Children 5 and younger must ride in a federally approved child restraint. Texting while driving is a primary offense, so an officer can stop you for it alone, and in school zones and active work zones you may use a phone only hands-free. After a minor crash with only property damage, move your car out of traffic if it is safe, then stay and exchange information.
Key concepts
Learner license
Available at age 15. A licensed driver age 21 or older must always sit in the front passenger seat. During the first three months you may drive only in daylight. After three months you may drive until 10 p.m.
Memory tip15 to start, 21 beside you, daylight for 3 months, then until 10.
Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (FLHSMV) · as of 2026
Moving up to a Class E license
A teen must hold a learner license for 12 months with no traffic convictions, or until age 18 if that comes first. A parent or adult 21 or older must certify at least 50 hours of driving practice, with 10 of those hours at night.
Memory tip12 months, 50 hours, 10 at night.
Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (FLHSMV) · as of 2026
Teen driving hours
A 16-year-old with a license may not drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. A 17-year-old may not drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Both are allowed if a licensed driver 21 or older is with them or they are driving to or from work.
Memory tip16 is home by 11. 17 gets two more hours, until 1.
Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (FLHSMV) · as of 2026
Blood alcohol limits
Driving with a blood or breath alcohol level of 0.08% or more is DUI. For drivers under 21, it is illegal to drive with a level of 0.02% or more. You can still be charged at a lower level if alcohol has affected your driving.
Memory tipAdults: 0.08. Under 21: 0.02, which is close to zero.
Source: Florida Statutes, Chapter 316 (s. 316.193); Florida Driver License Handbook · as of 2026
Implied consent
By driving in Florida, you agree to take a lawful breath, blood, or urine test if arrested for DUI. A first refusal leads to a one-year license suspension. A refusal after an earlier refusal leads to an 18-month suspension.
Memory tipFirst no = 1 year. Second no = 18 months.
Source: Florida Driver License Handbook (FLHSMV) · as of 2026
Seat belts and child seats
The driver, the front seat passenger, and all passengers under 18 must wear seat belts. Children 5 and younger must use a federally approved child restraint. Children through age 3 need a separate carrier or built-in child seat, and ages 4 and 5 may use a booster seat.
Memory tipFront seat always buckles. Under 18 always buckles. 5 and under needs a child seat.
Source: Florida Statutes, Chapter 316 (s. 316.613, s. 316.614) · as of 2026
Phones while driving
Texting, emailing, and messaging while driving are banned, and it is a primary offense, so you can be stopped for it alone. In a school zone, school crossing, or active work zone, you may not hold a phone at all and may use it only hands-free.
Memory tipNever text. In school and work zones, hands off the phone.
Source: Florida Statutes, Chapter 316 (s. 316.305, s. 316.306) · as of 2026
Often tested
- Alcohol limits: 0.08% for drivers 21 and older, 0.02% for drivers under 21. Choices like 0.05% are traps.
- Teen curfew hours are often swapped: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. at 16, and 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. at 17.
- The learner's supervising driver must be 21 or older and sit in the front passenger seat, at all hours.
- A first test refusal means a 1-year suspension, not 6 months.
- Texting is a primary offense: an officer can stop you for texting alone.
Easy to confuse: Learner license vs. teen Class E license driving hours
| License | Driving limits |
|---|---|
| Learner, first 3 months | Never alone; daylight only, with a licensed driver 21+ |
| Learner, after 3 months | Never alone; until 10 p.m., with a licensed driver 21+ |
| Class E at age 16 | Not 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. unless with a driver 21+ or going to or from work |
| Class E at age 17 | Not 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. unless with a driver 21+ or going to or from work |
3 sample questions
Verified practice questions from this unit.
Question 1. What is the youngest age at which you can get a Florida learner license?
- ① 17
- ② 14
- ③ 16
- ④ 15
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ④ 15
Key point: Florida learner license: age 15
You can get a Florida learner license at age 15 after passing the knowledge exam and finishing a traffic law and substance abuse course.
Wrong choices
- 17: You do not have to wait until 17; you may start at 15.
- 14: 14 is too young for a Florida learner license.
- 16: 16 is the youngest age for an operator (Class E) license, the next step.
Question 2. A teen with a learner license is driving. Who must be in the front passenger seat?
- ① No one, if the drive is during daylight
- ② Any adult, even without a license
- ③ A licensed driver who is at least 21 years old
- ④ A licensed driver who is at least 18 years old
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ③ A licensed driver who is at least 21 years old
Key point: Learner: licensed driver 21+ in front seat
A learner license holder must always drive with a licensed driver age 21 or older in the front passenger seat (the seat closest to the right of the driver).
Wrong choices
- No one, if the drive is during daylight: There is no daylight exception; a supervising driver is always required.
- Any adult, even without a license: The supervising driver must hold a valid license.
- A licensed driver who is at least 18 years old: An 18-year-old does not meet the age 21 requirement.
Question 3. For a driver age 21 or older, at what blood alcohol level is it illegal to drive in Florida?
- ① 0.15% or higher
- ② 0.05% or higher
- ③ 0.10% or higher
- ④ 0.08% or higher
▼ Show answer and explanation▲ Hide answer and explanation
Answer: ④ 0.08% or higher
Key point: Adult DUI limit: 0.08%
Driving with a blood or breath alcohol level of 0.08% or more is DUI in Florida. You can also be charged at a lower level if your normal faculties are impaired.
Wrong choices
- 0.15% or higher: 0.15% brings tougher DUI penalties, but you are already over the limit at 0.08%.
- 0.05% or higher: 0.05% is not the legal limit in Florida, though driving can still be impaired at that level.
- 0.10% or higher: 0.10% was an older limit. Florida's limit is now 0.08%.