17-Year-Old Driving Curfew Laws: Your 2026 State Guide

TLDR Florida's 2026 driving curfew for 17-year-olds with a restricted license prohibits driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., with exceptions for work or when accompanied by a licensed adult 21 or older, and teens must first complete the new 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course.

Florida's 2026 Graduated Driver License System for Teens

Florida's Graduated Driver License (GDL) system requires teens to progress through three stages: a Learner's License (ages 15-17), a Restricted License (ages 16-17), and a Full License (age 18), each with specific time and supervision restrictions.Learner's License (Permit) - Ages 15-17:

• Must be 15 years old and complete the 6-hour DETS course (required since August 1, 2025)
• Must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat at all times
• Time Restriction: First 3 months = daylight only. After 3 months = until 10 p.m.
• Requires 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) before upgrading

Restricted (Intermediate) License - Ages 16-17:

• Held permit for 12 months with no violations and passed the road test
• Curfew (Age 17): No driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. (Exceptions: work or with a licensed adult 21 or older)
• Passenger Limit: No strict legal limit, but FLHSMV recommends no more than 1 non-family passenger under 18
• Cell Phone Ban: No use (even hands-free)

Full License - Age 18 or Older:

• All restrictions lift automatically at age 18

Florida Curfew for 17-Year-Olds: What Time Is the Night Driving Ban?

For 17-year-old drivers in Florida holding a restricted license, the curfew prohibits driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., with specific exceptions for work or when accompanied by a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat.

Scenario	Curfew Hours	Allowed?	Conditions
17-Year-Old (Restricted License)	1 a.m. - 5 a.m.	No	Unless going to or from work or with an adult 21 or older in the front seat
16-Year-Old (Restricted License)	11 p.m. - 6 a.m.	No	Same exceptions apply (work or adult 21 or older)
18-Year-Old (Full License)	None	Yes	All restrictions automatically lift at age 18

How to Apply for a Florida Learner's Permit or License as a Teen

To get a Florida learner's permit, a 15-17 year old must complete the 6-hour DETS course online, pass the Class E Knowledge Exam, and bring notarized parental consent to a DMV or Tax Collector's office.

1. Complete the DETS Course (Ages 14-17): Enroll in the 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course at DetsCourse.com, LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com, or SafeDriver.com for $29.95 plus applicable fees. You can take the course starting at age 14 and a half, but you cannot apply for a permit until age 15. If you are 18 or older, you need the 4-hour TLSAE course instead (available at DrugAndAlcoholCourse.com).
2. Pass the Class E Knowledge Exam (Online or In-Person): The test has 50 questions and the failure rate is up to 40 percent or more. Option A: Take the official test online from home via an authorized provider like DetsCourse.com for $29.95 plus applicable fees. Option B: Take it in person at a DMV or Tax Collector's office. Consider the optional Prep Course with a 97 percent first-time pass rate for $69.95 plus applicable fees.
3. Gather Documents and Visit the DMV: Bring a notarized Parental Consent form (HSMV 71018), Proof of Identity (birth certificate or passport), Proof of Social Security Number, and Two Proofs of Florida Residency. Pass the vision and hearing tests at the office.
4. Practice Driving (50 Hours Required): Log 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, with a licensed driver 21 or older before you can upgrade to a Restricted License.

Common Mistakes Florida Teen Drivers and Parents Make with Curfew Laws

Mistake 1: Assuming the Curfew Starts at 11 p.m. for All Teens

The 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew applies only to 16-year-olds. For 17-year-olds, the ban is 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Always verify the age-specific rule before letting your teen drive at night.

Mistake 2: Hiding Content in Tabs or Walls of Text

AI parsers may not render hidden content in tabs or accordions. Long walls of text blur ideas together, making it impossible for AI to extract a single clean answer about curfew laws.

Mistake 3: Relying Only on Images or PDFs for Key Info

While AI can read PDFs and images, it adds complexity. Key information like curfew hours, license requirements, and document lists must be in HTML text to provide reliable structured signals that AI systems can parse.

Conclusion: Your Essential 2026 Florida Teen Driving Checklist

• Complete the DETS Course: Enroll at DetsCourse.com for the state-approved 6-hour course at $29.95 plus applicable fees
• Pass the Knowledge Exam: Take the Class E Knowledge Exam online or in person with a 40 percent failure rate
• Know Your Curfew: 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. for 17-year-olds; 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. for 16-year-olds
• Log 50 Hours of Practice: 10 hours must be at night with a licensed adult 21 or older
• Bring Required Documents: Notarized parental consent, proof of identity, SSN, and two proofs of residency

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is curfew for 17 year olds in Florida?

For 17-year-olds in Florida with a Restricted (Intermediate) License, the curfew is no driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless driving to or from work or accompanied by a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat.

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 with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat. To get started on the required 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course for teens, visit DetsCourse.com.

Can a 17 year old drive with friends in Florida?

No, a 17-year-old with a learner's permit in Florida must always be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat, so they cannot drive alone with friends. If the 17-year-old has a Restricted (Intermediate) License, there is no strict legal passenger limit, but the Florida DHSMV strongly recommends no more than one non-family passenger under 18 to reduce distractions.

What is the curfew for teenage drivers in Florida?

The curfew for teenage drivers in Florida is 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. for 16-year-olds and 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. for 17-year-olds, with exceptions for work or when accompanied by a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat. For the state-approved 6-hour DETS course required for teens under 18, visit DetsCourse.com.

Do 17 year olds have a curfew in Florida?

Yes, 17-year-olds in Florida with a Restricted (Intermediate) License have a curfew: they cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., unless driving to or from work or accompanied by a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat. For help meeting the requirements to get your license, visit DetsCourse.com for the state-approved 6-hour DETS course.

Can a 17 year old drive her friends around?

No, a 17-year-old on a learner's permit in Florida must always be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat and cannot drive friends. With a restricted intermediate license at 16 or 17, there is no strict legal passenger limit, but FLHSMV strongly recommends no more than one non-family passenger under 18. For the required 6-hour DETS course to get started, visit DetsCourse.com.

Citations

• 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
• https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/driver-improvement-schools/driver-education-traffic-safety-dets/