Florida Driving Curfew: Teen Driver Rules by Age (2026 Guide)

Sep 13, 2025

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Quick Answer: Florida's GDL curfew bars 16-year-olds from driving between 11 PM and 6 AM, and 17-year-olds between 1 AM and 5 AM. Both groups may drive during restricted hours only when traveling to/from work or when supervised by a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front seat.

Florida's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system enforces specific nighttime driving curfews designed to protect new, young drivers. The rules differ by age - and knowing exactly which restrictions apply at each stage matters both for teens and for parents monitoring compliance.

Florida Teen Driving Curfew: Exact Hours by Age

Florida law establishes two distinct curfew windows based on the driver's age and license type:

Driver Age	License Type	Restricted Driving Hours	Permitted Hours	Exceptions
15	Learner's permit only	Any time alone	Only with licensed adult 21+ in front seat	None - no solo driving permitted at any hour
16	Class E - restricted	11 PM - 6 AM	6 AM - 11 PM	To/from work; supervised by licensed driver 21+
17	Class E - restricted	1 AM - 5 AM	5 AM - 1 AM	To/from work; supervised by licensed driver 21+
18+	Class E - unrestricted	None	Any time	N/A - adult license, no curfew

What Are Florida's Exact Teen Driving Curfew Hours?

For 16-year-old license holders, driving is strictly prohibited from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The restriction for 17-year-olds is slightly more lenient, prohibiting driving from 1:00 AM to 5:00 AM. These laws are part of the state's GDL program, which aims to reduce crash risks for inexperienced drivers by limiting high-risk nighttime operation.

The law provides two universal exceptions that apply to both age groups:

A teen may legally drive during their restricted hours if traveling to or from their place of employment.
The curfew does not apply if a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old is seated in the front passenger seat, providing direct supervision.

Practical Tip: If driving for work, keep a copy of your work schedule or a recent pay stub in your vehicle as immediate proof for law enforcement.
Practical Tip: Clear communication between parents and teens is essential. Establish a plan for safe transportation if an event runs past the curfew cutoff.

Florida GDL Requirements by Age: Full Breakdown (Ages 14-17)

Age	What You Can Do	Curfew	Passenger Limit	Required Before This Stage
14	Enroll in DETS course (start early)	N/A (no permit yet)	N/A	N/A
15	Apply for learner's permit; drive with licensed adult 21+	No solo driving at any time	Licensed adult 21+ in front seat always	DETS course + pass Class E Knowledge Exam
16	Apply for Class E license after 12-month permit hold	11 PM - 6 AM (exceptions: work, supervision)	First 3 months: max 1 non-family passenger under 21; after 3 months: max 3	12 months on permit, no convictions, 50 practice hours, pass road test
17	Full Class E driving (restricted curfew only)	1 AM - 5 AM (exceptions: work, supervision)	Max 3 non-family passengers under 21	N/A (automatic progression from 16 stage)

What Is the First Step to Getting a Florida Learner's Permit?

Before a teen can navigate driving curfews, they must first obtain a learner's permit. As of August 1, 2025, all new applicants under 18 (ages 14-17) must complete a 6-hour DETS (Driver Education Traffic Safety) course before applying for their learner's license. This course covers traffic laws, the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving, and Florida's GDL rules. It is available entirely online through state-authorized providers like DetsCourse.com.

Other GDL Restrictions: Beyond the Curfew

The nighttime curfew is one part of Florida's comprehensive GDL laws. New drivers under 18 must also comply with:

Passenger limits: For the first three months after licensure at 16, a teen cannot carry more than one non-family passenger under 21. After three months, the limit rises to three non-family passengers under 21.
Zero-tolerance alcohol policy: Florida law prohibits any minor from driving with a BAC of .02% or higher - a threshold reached with as little as one drink. Violation results in an automatic 6-month license suspension for a first offense.
Curfew violation consequences: Violating the driving curfew is a moving violation, which can lead to fines, points on your driving record, and - for permit holders - an extension of the mandatory 12-month holding period.

For Parents: How to Monitor Compliance

Keep written agreements: Set clear expectations before your teen drives alone - destination, route, check-in time, and curfew hour. A written "driving contract" makes the rules explicit.
Work documentation in the car: If your teen drives to or from a job, keep a copy of the employer's address and work schedule in the glovebox for any traffic stop.
Understand the violation consequences: A curfew violation adds points to your teen's driving record and can extend their permit holding period - making compliance important beyond just safety.
Plan for events that run late: If a school event, sports game, or social gathering may run past curfew, arrange a designated driver 21+ or a pickup plan in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A 17-year-old driver in Florida is restricted from driving between 1 AM and 5 AM. They may drive during these hours only if traveling to or from work, or if accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front passenger seat. Source: flhsmv.gov - Traffic Laws for Florida Teens

Does Florida have a curfew for 16-year-old drivers?

Yes. Florida's nighttime driving restriction for 16-year-old license holders prohibits driving from 11 PM to 6 AM. Exceptions apply when the teen is driving to or from work, or when accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front seat. Source: flhsmv.gov

Can an 18-year-old drive with passengers in Florida?

Yes. At 18, a driver is no longer subject to Florida's GDL passenger restrictions or nighttime curfew. An 18-year-old with a valid Class E license may drive at any hour and carry any number of passengers. Source: flhsmv.gov

Can a 15-year-old drive alone in Florida to school?

No. At 15, a teen can only hold a learner's license, which requires a licensed driver aged 21 or older to be seated in the front passenger seat at all times - with no exceptions, including for school trips. Source: flhsmv.gov

What happens if a teen violates the Florida driving curfew?

Violating the GDL nighttime driving curfew is a moving violation in Florida. Consequences can include fines, points added to the driving record, and - for permit holders - an extension of the mandatory 12-month holding period before they can apply for a full license.

What is the first step for a teen to get a Florida driver's license in 2026?

The first step is completing the mandatory 6-hour DETS (Driver Education Traffic Safety) course, which replaced the old TLSAE requirement for applicants ages 14-17 as of August 1, 2025. This course is available online through state-approved providers like DetsCourse.com. After completing the DETS course, a teen can take the Class E Knowledge Exam to earn their learner's permit.

Start your teen's permit process today: DetsCourse.com offers the state-required DETS course and official online permit test - complete everything before your 15th birthday to be road-ready the day it arrives.

Reference Sources:flhsmv.gov - TLSAE Course Providers flhsmv.gov - DETS Course Information flhsmv.gov - Traffic Laws for Florida Teens DetsCourse.com - Teen Drivers