Florida Night Driving Restrictions by Age 2026: Curfew Hours & Exceptions

TLDR Florida restricts teen night driving by age and license stage: learner permit holders drive daylight-only for the first 3 months, then until 10pm; licensed 16-year-olds are off the road 11pm-6am; and licensed 17-year-olds are off the road 1am-5am. The main statutory exception is driving directly to or from work, or being accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older. Last updated August 2026.

Florida's night driving restrictions follow the state's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program and are written into Florida Statutes 322.1615 (learner permits) and 322.16 (licensed drivers under 18). The hours tighten as a new driver moves from permit to license and from age 16 to age 17. Exceptions exist mainly for work travel and for driving with a licensed adult 21 or older. Last updated August 2026.

Florida Night Driving Restrictions by Age at a Glance

Here is the age-by-age breakdown for both permit holders and licensed drivers.

Age / Stage	Allowed Driving Hours	Law
15-17, learner permit - first 3 months	Daylight hours only - no night driving at all	F.S. 322.1615
15-17, learner permit - after 3 months	Until 10:00 p.m.; no driving 10pm-6am unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ or driving to/from work	F.S. 322.1615
16-year-old with a license	No driving 11:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ or driving to/from work	F.S. 322.16(2)
17-year-old with a license	No driving 1:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ or driving to/from work	F.S. 322.16(3)

These limits apply to driving on public roads. On every drive, a permit holder must also have a licensed driver 21 or older in the front passenger seat - there is no exception to the supervision requirement for permit holders.

Learner Permit Night Rules (F.S. 322.1615)

The learner permit stage is the most restrictive. Florida lets a 15-year-old apply for a learner permit, but the first three months are daylight-only.

1. Months 1-3: You may drive only during daylight hours, no matter what time the sun sets.
2. After month 3: You may drive until 10:00 p.m., but not between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless a licensed driver 21 or older is beside you or you are driving directly to or from work.
3. Supervision at all times: A licensed driver 21 or older must always ride in the front passenger seat while you hold a permit.
4. Log the required hours: Before you can move to a license, Florida requires 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night (logged after the first 3 months).

Licensed 16- and 17-Year-Old Curfews (F.S. 322.16)

Once a teen earns a restricted license, the curfew hours change by age.

• 16-year-olds: No driving between 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older, or driving directly to or from work.
• 17-year-olds: No driving between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. under the same exceptions.
• Passengers: The statute does not list a separate passenger-count restriction for the curfew itself; the companion rule applies only to the curfew window.

Exceptions to the Night Driving Restrictions

Florida Statutes list a narrow set of exceptions to the teen curfews.

Exception	What It Covers	Best Practice
Work	Driving directly to or from your place of employment	Carry a letter from your employer or a work schedule in case an officer asks
Licensed adult 21+ companion	Driving with a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat	The companion must hold a valid license and be old enough
Family / emergency	Not written into the curfew statute text; enforcement varies	Confirm with your local licensing office or law enforcement before relying on it

Florida law enforcement guidance commonly asks teens to document work travel. School events and sports practices generally do not count as "work" unless the teen is actually employed at that location.

Penalties for Violating the Night Driving Rules

Driving outside the allowed hours is treated as a moving violation under Chapter 318, Florida Statutes (F.S. 322.16(6)). That means it can add points to a driving record and, for a permit or restricted license holder, can delay or restrict licensing. A teen who reaches 6 points in a 12-month period can have their license restricted to business purposes only for one year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 16-year-old drive after 11pm in Florida?

Generally no. A 16-year-old with a Florida license may not drive between 11pm and 6am unless a licensed driver 21 or older is in the front seat or the teen is driving directly to or from work.

Can a learner permit holder drive at night in Florida?

Not for the first 3 months - permit holders may drive only during daylight hours. After 3 months, they may drive until 10pm, and only after 10pm if accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older or driving to or from work.

What is the curfew for 17-year-olds in Florida?

A 17-year-old with a Florida license may not drive between 1am and 5am unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older or driving directly to or from work.

Does the Florida teen curfew have a school exception?

The statute text names work, not school. Some law enforcement guidance and counties recognize late-night school or religious activities, but the written statute only lists driving directly to or from work, so check with your local office before relying on a school exception.

What happens if a teen breaks the night driving curfew?

It is a moving violation under Florida Chapter 318. It can add points to the driving record and lead to restricted driving privileges, traffic school, or a permit suspension.

Plan Your Florida License Path Now

Understanding the night driving restrictions before you get behind the wheel prevents costly tickets and licensing delays. Pair your teen licensing plan with a state-approved Florida course so every requirement is handled in one place. Start your Florida learner permit prep at DETSCourse.com.

Citations

• https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/0322.1615
• https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/0322.16
• https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/teen-drivers/
• https://law.justia.com/codes/florida/2024/title-xxiii/chapter-322/section-322-16/