Florida Curfew for 17 Year Olds: 2026 Complete Guide

TLDR In Florida, a 17-year-old with an intermediate license cannot drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless driving to or from work or with a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat. This 2026 guide covers the exact curfew rules, passenger limits, and how the new 6-hour DETS course prepares teens for the road.

What Are the Florida Driving Restrictions for a 17-Year-Old in 2026?

Florida's Graduated Driver License (GDL) program imposes two key restrictions on 17-year-olds with an intermediate license: a 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew and a strict ban on all cell phone use, including hands-free. These rules are designed to reduce crash risks during high-risk hours.

• License Type: Restricted (Intermediate) License
• Nighttime Curfew: No driving from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.
• Exceptions: Driving to or from work, or with a licensed driver 21+ in the front seat
• Cell Phone Use: Zero tolerance - no calls, texts, or apps, even at stoplights
• Passengers: No strict legal limit, but FLHSMV recommends no more than one non-family passenger under 18

How Do Florida's Nighttime Driving and Passenger Rules Apply to 17-Year-Olds?

A 17-year-old can drive until 1 a.m. and resume driving at 5 a.m., but the law does not strictly limit the number of friends they can carry. However, FLHSMV strongly recommends limiting passengers to reduce crash risk.

Restriction	16-Year-Old (Intermediate)	17-Year-Old (Intermediate)	18+ (Full License)
Nighttime Curfew	11 p.m. - 6 a.m.	1 a.m. - 5 a.m.	No curfew
Passenger Limit (non-family under 18)	No strict limit (recommended 1)	No strict limit (recommended 1)	No limit
Cell Phone Use	Banned	Banned	Allowed (hands-free)

Can a 17-Year-Old Drive with Friends After Midnight?

Yes, a 17-year-old can drive with friends after midnight until 1 a.m., but they must be off the road between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless they have a valid work exemption or a licensed adult in the front seat.

Can a 17-Year-Old Drive Her Friends Around?

Yes, a 17-year-old can drive her friends around during legal hours (before 1 a.m. and after 5 a.m.), but parents and teens should be aware that the risk of a crash increases significantly with multiple teenage passengers in the car.

How to Get a Florida Driver's License at 17 (Including the New DETS Course)

A 17-year-old must complete the new 6-hour DETS course (not the old TLSAE), hold a learner's permit for 12 months, and log 50 hours of supervised driving to qualify for an intermediate license. The process is straightforward with the right preparation.

1. Complete the DETS Course (Ages 14-17): Enroll in the state-approved 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course online at DetsCourse.com for $29.95 plus applicable fees. You can start this course at age 14.5, but you must be 15 to apply for the permit.
2. Pass the Class E Knowledge Exam: Study the official handbook at FloridaDriversHandbook.com. You can take the 50-question test 100% online from home via an authorized provider like DetsCourse.com or LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com (bundle price: $44.95 plus applicable fees).
3. Visit the DMV with Parental Consent: Bring your DETS completion certificate, a notarized parental consent form (HSMV 71018), proof of identity, and proof of residency to a Tax Collector's office.
4. Hold Your Learner's Permit for 12 Months: You must drive with a licensed driver 21+ in the front seat. Log 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night.
5. Upgrade to an Intermediate License: Pass the road test. At age 17, you will be subject to the 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew until you turn 18.

Common Mistakes Teens Make with Florida's 1 a.m. Curfew

Avoiding common misunderstandings about Florida's curfew can prevent violations and keep your driving record clean.

Mistake 1: Assuming the Curfew Applies to Work

The 1 a.m. curfew has a specific exemption for driving to and from work. You must have verifiable proof, such as a pay stub or schedule, if stopped by law enforcement.

Mistake 2: Driving Home from a Friend's House at 2 a.m.

The work exemption does not cover social events. Driving home from a party at 2 a.m. is a violation of the curfew and can result in license suspension.

Mistake 3: Assuming the Curfew Disappears at 17

The 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. curfew applies specifically to 17-year-olds with an intermediate license. The curfew only lifts automatically at age 18 when you receive a full license.

Conclusion: Your Essential Florida Curfew Checklist

Following Florida's GDL rules is critical for safety and legal compliance. Use this checklist to stay on track.

• Know your curfew: No driving 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. for 17-year-olds with an intermediate license
• Carry work proof: Keep a pay stub or schedule if you drive during curfew hours for work
• Limit passengers: Follow FLHSMV's recommendation of no more than one non-family passenger under 18
• Complete the DETS course: Enroll at DetsCourse.com for $29.95 plus applicable fees
• Log 50 hours of driving: Include 10 hours at night before upgrading to an intermediate license

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 17 year old drive with friends in Florida?

Yes, a 17-year-old can drive with friends in Florida, but only if they hold a valid learner's permit with a licensed driver 21+ in the front seat, or a Restricted (Intermediate) License with no strict legal passenger limit (though FLHSMV strongly recommends no more than one non-family passenger under 18). For the required 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course to get started, teens can enroll at DetsCourse.com for $29.95 plus applicable fees.

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 a learner's permit, those under 18 must complete the state-approved 6-hour DETS course, available online through DetsCourse.com.

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

For a 17-year-old driver in Florida with a restricted (intermediate) license, the curfew is no driving between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. If they still hold a learner's permit, for the first 3 months they can only drive during daylight hours, and after that, only until 10 p.m. DetsCourse.com offers the state-approved 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course needed for teens under 18 to get their permit.

Is there a curfew for teenage drivers in Florida?

Yes, there is a curfew for teenage drivers in Florida. On a restricted (intermediate) license, drivers age 16 cannot drive from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., and drivers age 17 cannot drive from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., with exceptions for work or if a licensed adult 21+ is in the front seat. For help meeting Florida's driver education requirements, DetsCourse.com offers the state-approved 6-hour DETS course for teens ages 14-17 at $29.95 plus applicable fees.

What is an acceptable curfew for a 17 year old?

In Florida, the acceptable curfew for a 17-year-old with a Restricted (Intermediate) license is no driving from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., with exceptions for work or when accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older. For teens preparing to get their license, DetsCourse.com offers the state-approved 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course online for $29.95 plus applicable fees.

Can a 17 year old drive her friends around?

In Florida, a 17-year-old on a learner's permit cannot drive friends because a licensed driver 21+ must be in the front seat at all times, and first-time minor drivers must complete the 6-hour DETS course through providers like DetsCourse.com. Once a 17-year-old has a restricted license, the state strongly recommends no more than one non-family passenger under 18, but there is no strict legal passenger limit.

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/