Driver license the official handbook

The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
  
67  
 
10. Getting Your Driver License or ID Card
 
11. Driving School Providers
 
12. Driver License Testing 
 
       TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Part 2–Florida Driver License
The

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68  
©2017 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

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10
The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
  
69  
GETTING YOUR LICENSE OR ID CARD
Definitions
Resident:
 A person who has his principal place of domicile in this state for 
a period of more than six consecutive months, has registered to vote, has 
made a statement of domicile pursuant to section 222.17, Florida Statutes, 
or has filed for homestead exemption on property in this state.
Immigrant:
 A “Permanent Resident Alien” who is admitted to the United 
States as a lawful permanent resident. Immigrants are legally accorded the 
privilege of residing permanently in the US and are issued immigrant visas 
or adjusted to permanent resident status by the Unites States Citizenship 
and Immigration Service (USCIS).
Non-Immigrant:
 An alien who seeks temporary entry to the United States 
for a specific purpose and who has declared the intention to stay only for a 
temporary period of time.
US Citizen:
 A person born in the US, its territories, Naturalized, or one 
who has obtained a Certificate of Citizenship from the Department of 
State.
Who Needs a Florida License to Drive?
If you are a Florida resident, you must get a Florida license to drive a motor 
vehicle on public streets and highways. 
A non-resident (except a migrant or seasonal farm worker) who accepts 
employment or enrolls their child in a Florida public school must get a 
Florida license within 30 days in order to operate a motor vehicle. 
Exceptions for the Florida Driver License
You do not have to get a Florida driver license to drive in Florida if you are 
a non-resident who is at least 16 years old and have:
  • a valid non-commercial driver license from another state or territory of 
the United States; or
   • an International Driving Permit from your country of residence 
accompanied by a valid license from that country.
These people are also exempt (if they hold a valid license from their state/
country):
  • United States government employee driving a non-commercial United 
States government motor vehicle on official business.

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70  
©2017 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  • Any non-resident working 
for a firm on a contract for 
the United States government 
and driving a non-commercial 
vehicle. (This exemption is only 
for 60 days.)
  • Members of the Armed Forces 
stationed in Florida, their 
spouses, and dependents. 
  • A licensed driver that lives 
in another state and travels 
regularly between home and 
work in Florida.
  • Any non-resident attending 
college in Florida.
  • Non-resident migrant farm 
workers—even though they are 
employed or place children in 
public schools—providing they 
have a valid license from their 
home state.
  • Those who drive only vehicles 
like farm tractors or road 
machines temporarily on the 
highway.
Florida Driver License 
Classifications
The
 Class E is for drivers of non-
commercial vehicles.
 You must 
have a Commercial Driver’s License 
(Class A, B, or C) to operate:
  • any single vehicle with a gross 
vehicle weight rating (GVWR) 
of 26,001 or more pounds; or
  • a combination vehicle with a 
gross combination weight rating 
of 26,001 or more pounds, 
if the trailer has a GVWR of 
10,001 or more pounds; or
  • a vehicle designed to transport 
16 or more passengers 
(including the driver); or
  • any size vehicle which requires 
hazardous material placards or 
is carrying material listed as a 
select agent or toxin in 42 CFR 
part 73. Federal regulations 
through the Department of 
Homeland Security require 
a background check and 
fingerprinting for the Hazardous 
Materials endorsement.
See the Florida CDL Handbook for 
more information. 
Requirements for Class 
E Driver License 
 1.  Be at least 16 years old.
 2.  Completion of Traffic Law and 
Substance Abuse Education 
Course. 
 3.  Provide required identification.
 4.  Pass Vision, Class E Knowledge, 
and Driving Skill exams.
 5.  If under age 18:
 
◆
 Must hold the learner’s license 
for 12 months or until the 
18th birthday, whichever 
comes first.
 
◆
 Must have NO moving traffic 
violation convictions for 12 
months from learner’s license 
date of issue. Or may have 
ONE moving traffic violation 
(within 12 months of learner’s 
license issue) if adjudication is 
withheld.
 
◆
 A parent, legal guardian, or 
responsible adult 21 years 

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The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
  
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........................................................................................................GETTING YOUR LICENSE/ID CARD
old or older, must certify that 
the driver has had at least 50 
hours of driving experience, 
of which 10 hours must be at 
night.
 ◆
 have parent or guardian sign 
parental consent form.
 
◆
 must be in compliance with 
school attendance.
Learner’s License
 1.  Be at least 15 years old.
 2.  Completion of Traffic Law and 
Substance Abuse Education 
Course.
 3.  Pass Vision and Class E 
Knowledge exam.
Reciprocity
The Class E Knowledge and 
Driving Skill exams are reciprocated 
(waived) if you present a driver 
license from any of the following:
  • United States
  •  United States Territories/ 
Possessions
  • United States Military
  • Canada*
  • France
  • Germany (Driving Exam only)
  • Republic of China (Taiwan)
  • South Korea
Note: A vision test is still required. 
*Canadians can reciprocate 
examination requirements by 
surrendering their Canadian driver 
license; if not surrendered, Class 
E exams will be required. Licenses 
from other states or US territories/
possessions must be surrendered 
when the Florida license is issued. 
Traffic Law & Substance Abuse 
Education Course
You must complete a Traffic Law 
and Substance Abuse Education 
course if you have never held— or 
do not have in your possession— a 
driver license in any state, country, 
or jurisdiction and are applying for 
the Class E or learner’s license.  
Parent’s Consent for Minors
If you are under age 18 and are not 
married, you must have your parent 
or legal guardian sign your license 
application in front of the driver 
license examiner/agent or a notary 
public.* 
The parent or legal guardian who 
signs your application agrees to 
take responsibility for your driving. 
If the signer decides to rescind 
responsibility, your license will be 
canceled. To cancel the license, 
the signer must write a letter to 
DHSMV requesting to withdraw 
their consent for the minor driver. 
Include the minor driver’s complete 
name, date of birth, and driver 
license number and send to:
     Bureau Chief of Motorist Compliance 
     Division of Motorist Services 
     2900 Apalachee Parkway 
     Tallahassee, FL 32399-0575
*
Married minors must show certified 
marriage certificate. Emancipated minors 
must show certified court order.
Physical & Mental 
Requirements
You must list any physical or mental 
issues that might affect your driving 

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