Florida Permit Test Online Under 18: Your Teen's Step-by-Step Guide
Dec 10, 2025
The journey to getting your Florida driver's license starts early, and thanks to modern options, you can complete the first big step-the required course and exam-right from your computer. If you are under 18, you can absolutely take your Florida permit test online under 18, provided you meet the age and education requirements.Florida uses a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system that guides teens through stages, starting with a learner's permit at age 15. The first official step is completing the state-mandated 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course. Reputable providers offer both the DETS course and the official knowledge exam online, allowing motivated teens to start as early as age 14 and be fully prepared to apply for their learner's permit on their 15th birthday. This process smoothly leads to earning a restricted Class E license at 16, granting the significant freedom of driving alone.
Key Requirements to Get Your License at 16
To advance from a learner's permit to a Class E license by age 16, Florida law requires you to meet three main criteria under the GDL program.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| 1. Education Course | Complete the 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course. This mandatory course must be finished before you can take the written knowledge test. For those under 18, the DETS course has replaced the older TLSAE requirement. |
| 2. Supervised Practice | Log a minimum of 50 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice. This must be supervised by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old, and 10 of those hours must be completed at night. |
| 3. Pass Required Tests | Pass the Class E Knowledge Exam (written test) to get your permit. After holding the permit for 12 months, you must then pass the Driving Skills Test (road test) to earn your license at 16. |
Florida Age Benchmarks for Driving Privileges
Florida law establishes specific minimum ages for each stage of the licensing process.
- Age 15: Minimum age to apply for a Learner's Permit. You must complete the DETS course and pass the written knowledge exam.
- Tip: You can start and finish the mandatory DETS course at age 14, and the completion certificate will remain valid for when you turn 15 and apply for your permit.
- Age 16: Minimum age to apply for the restricted Class E Operator's License. You must have held your Learner's Permit for a minimum of 12 months without traffic convictions and have completed your 50 hours of supervised driving.
- Age 18: The age when all restrictions are lifted, granting you a full, unrestricted driver's license.
Restrictions on a 16-Year-Old's Class E License
The Class E license earned at age 16 is designed to ease new drivers onto the road safely. It includes important restrictions, which generally apply for the first year of solo driving.
- Nighttime Curfew: You are not permitted to drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless you are driving to or from work, or are accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 or older.
- Zero Tolerance: Drivers under 18 are subject to Florida's strict zero-tolerance policy for alcohol. Any detectable Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) will lead to an immediate license suspension.
- Passenger Rules: While Florida law does not have a formal passenger limit for 16-year-olds (unlike many other states), the law for 16-year-olds is focused on the nighttime curfew.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can 16 year olds drive?
Sixteen-year-olds in Florida who have obtained a Class E license may drive unsupervised between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Driving outside of these hours (11 p.m. to 6 a.m.) is only allowed if they are traveling to or from work, or are supervised by a licensed driver who is 21 years old or older.
Can a 15-year-old take the Florida permit test online?
Yes. If you are between the ages of 15 and 17, you are eligible to take the official Class E Knowledge Exam (the permit test) online through a Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) authorized third-party provider. The online test requires a parent or guardian to act as a certified proctor during the exam.
How many questions are on the Florida permit test and what score is needed to pass?
The Florida Class E Knowledge Exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions covering road signs and traffic laws. To pass the exam, you must correctly answer at least 40 questions (or achieve a score of 80%). You have up to 60 minutes to complete the test.