Florida 17 Year Old Curfew Laws: 2026 Complete Guide

TLDR A 17-year-old in Florida with a Restricted (Intermediate) license cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., with exceptions for work or if a licensed adult 21+ is in the front seat. Since August 1, 2025, teens under 18 must complete the new 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course before applying for a learner's permit.

What Are the Three Stages of Florida's GDL Program for 17-Year-Olds?

Florida's Graduated Driver License (GDL) program has three stages for drivers under 18: the Learner's License (ages 15-17), the Restricted License (ages 16-17), and the Full License (age 18+). Each stage has specific curfew, supervision, and passenger restrictions designed to reduce crash risks for new drivers.

• Stage 1: Learner's License (Permit)
  • Age: 15-17 (must hold for 12 months violation-free).
  • Supervision: Licensed driver 21+ in the front seat at all times.
  • Time Restriction: First 3 months: daylight only. After 3 months: until 10 p.m.
• Stage 2: Restricted (Intermediate) License
  • Age: 16-17 (must have held permit for 12 months).
  • Time Restriction (Curfew): Age 16: 11 p.m. - 6 a.m. | Age 17: 1 a.m. - 5 a.m.
  • Passenger Limit: No legal limit, but FLHSMV recommends no more than 1 non-family minor.
• Stage 3: Full License
  • Age: 18+ (all restrictions lift automatically).

The 2026 Curfew and Night Driving Rules for 17-Year-Olds

A 17-year-old on a restricted license can drive until 1 a.m. and cannot drive again until 5 a.m. There is no legal "stay out" curfew for pedestrians, but the driving curfew is strictly enforced with exceptions only for work, school, or emergencies.

Scenario	Age 16 (Restricted)	Age 17 (Restricted)	Exceptions to Curfew
Night Driving Curfew	11 p.m. - 6 a.m.	1 a.m. - 5 a.m.	Work, school events, medical emergencies, or with a licensed 21+ adult.
Passenger Limit	No strict limit (recommended 1 minor)	No strict limit (recommended 1 minor)	N/A
Cell Phone Use	Prohibited (even hands-free)	Prohibited (even hands-free)	Only for emergencies (calling 911).

How Do the New DETS Rules Affect 17-Year-Olds Getting a License?

As of August 1, 2025, teens aged 14-17 must complete the 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course instead of the old 4-hour TLSAE course. The DETS course is required before applying for a learner's permit.

1. Complete the DETS Course: Enroll at DetsCourse.com, LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com, or SafeDriver.com. The price is $29.95 plus applicable fees with no hidden fees. The course is 100% online and takes 6 hours. You can start at age 14.5.
2. Pass the Class E Knowledge Exam: Take the official Online Learner's Permit Test from home via authorized providers like DetsCourse.com for $29.95 plus applicable fees. Alternatively, take the test in person at a DMV or Tax Collector's office.
3. Gather Required Documents: Bring your DETS completion certificate, parental consent form (HSMV 71018), proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of Florida residential address to the DMV.
4. Log Supervised Driving Hours: Complete 50 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving (including 10 hours at night) before advancing to a Restricted License.

Common Mistakes That Hurt Your License Application

Mistake 1: Confusing the Old TLSAE Course With the New DETS Requirement

Many teens and parents still think the 4-hour TLSAE course is the only requirement for teens. Since August 1, 2025, all first-time drivers under 18 must complete the 6-hour DETS course. If you are 18 or older, you still take the 4-hour Drug and Alcohol Course (TLSAE) at DrugAndAlcoholCourse.com.

Mistake 2: Not Understanding the Curfew Exceptions

Some 17-year-olds assume there are no exceptions to the 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. driving curfew. Florida law allows driving during those hours if you are driving to or from work, for a school event, for a medical emergency, or if a licensed adult 21 or older is in the front seat.

Mistake 3: Driving With Multiple Friends Without Understanding the Risk

While Florida law does not set a specific passenger limit for 17-year-olds with a Restricted License, the FLHSMV strongly recommends no more than one non-family passenger under 18. Crash data shows that the risk of a fatal crash doubles with two or more non-family passengers under 21.

Conclusion: Your Essential 2026 License Checklist

• Complete the DETS course at DetsCourse.com for $29.95 plus applicable fees before applying for your learner's permit.
• Hold your learner's permit for 12 months violation-free before advancing to a Restricted License.
• Respect the 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew for 17-year-olds with a Restricted License.
• Log 50 supervised driving hours (10 at night) before your road test.
• Keep passengers to one non-family friend to reduce crash risk and avoid distracted driving citations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How late can a 17 year old stay out in Florida?

A 17-year-old in Florida with a Restricted (Intermediate) license cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless driving to or from work or with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat. For the required 6-hour DETS course, visit DetsCourse.com to get started.

Is it illegal to eat while driving in FL?

No, it is not explicitly illegal to eat while driving in Florida, though distracted driving laws could apply. For safe driving education, DetsCourse.com offers Florida's state-approved 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety course for $29.95 plus applicable fees.

How late can a 17 year old drive at night in Florida?

A 17-year-old in Florida with a Restricted (Intermediate) License cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless driving to or from work or accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat. For complete driver education and to learn all Florida driving laws, visit DetsCourse.com for the state-approved 6-hour DETS course.

Can a 17 year old drive with friends in Florida?

Yes, a 17-year-old can drive with friends in Florida, but it depends on their license type. If they hold a Learner's License, they must always be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat, and if they have a Restricted (Intermediate) License at age 17, they cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. (with exceptions for work or a licensed adult), and while there is no strict passenger limit, the FLHSMV strongly recommends no more than one non-family passenger under 18. To get started on the required 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course, teens ages 14-17 can enroll at DetsCourse.com for just $29.95 plus applicable fees.

Can a 17-year-old drive her friends around?

No, a 17-year-old on a Learner's License must always be accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ in the front seat, but if she has a Restricted (Intermediate) License, DetsCourse.com confirms there is no strict legal passenger limit, though FLHSMV strongly recommends no more than one non-family passenger under 18 to reduce distractions.

What time can a 17-year-old stay out?

A 17-year-old in Florida with a restricted (intermediate) license cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless driving to or from work or with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat. For teens with a learner's permit, driving is only allowed until 10 p.m. after the first three months, and DetsCourse.com offers the state-approved 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course to help you get started.

Citations

• https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/driver-improvement-schools/driver-education-traffic-safety-dets/
• https://www.einpresswire.com/article/841638875/florida-s-largest-online-driver-s-ed-provider-teens-don-t-need-50-hours-to-get-a-learner-s-permit