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 The Florida Driver's Handbook covers many condensed and paraphrased points of Florida's laws and provides safety advice not covered in the laws.
CHAPTER 1 - YOUR LICENSE
Florida Classified Driver Licenses
The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issues the following classes of licenses: Class A, B, C, and E. Classes A, B, and C are for drivers of commercial motor vehicles such as large trucks and buses. Class E is for drivers of non-commercial vehicles.
There is a separate manual entitled Commercial Driver License Manual for truck and bus drivers. This manual is available at any driver licenses office or on the Department's web page at http://www.flhsmv.gov/. If you wish to drive a motor vehicle you must be properly tested and licensed.
Who Needs One?
1. If you live in Florida and want to drive a motor vehicle on public streets and highways.
2. If you move to Florida and have a valid license from another state, you must get a Florida license within 30 days of becoming a resident. You are considered a resident of Florida if you:
Enroll your children in public school, or
Register to vote, or
File for a homestead exemption, or
Accept employment, or
Reside in Florida for more than six consecutive months.
Who Does Not Need One?
The following persons may drive in Florida without a Florida driver license, if they have a valid license from another state or country:
Any non-resident who is at least 16 years old.
Persons employed by the United States government driving a United States government motor vehicle on official business.
Any non-resident working for a firm on a contract for the United States government. (This exemption is only for 60 days.)
Any non-resident attending college in Florida.
Persons who drive only vehicles like farm tractors or road machines temporarily on the highway may drive without a license.
A licensed driver who lives in another state and travels regularly between his home and work in Florida.
Non-resident migrant farm workers even though they are employed or place children in the public schools, providing they have a valid license from their home state.
Members of the Armed Forces stationed in Florida and their dependents, with these exceptions:
a. Service member or spouse claims homestead exemption (All drivers in family must obtain Florida licenses),
b. Service member becomes employed (All drivers in family must obtain Florida licenses),
c. Spouse becomes employed (Spouse and children who drive must obtain Florida licenses),
d. Child becomes employed (Only employed child who drives must obtain Florida license)
Learner's Driver License
A person who holds a Learner's license must be accompanied by a licensed driver, 21 years of age or older, who occupies the front passenger seat closest to the right of the driver. Drivers can only drive during daylight hours the first three months from the original issue date and must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years or older, who occupies the front passenger seat. After the first three months, drivers may operate a vehicle from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a licensed driver, 21 years of age or older, occupying the front passenger seat. Drivers with a Learner's license are ineligible for a motorcycle endorsement.
Requirements
Be at least 15 years old.
Pass vision, road signs and road rules tests.
Have the signature of one parent (or guardian) on the parent consent form, if under age 18.
Completion of Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education Course.
Two forms of identification (see Identifying Yourself).
Proof of Social Security Number.
Proof of residential address. (Two documents will be required)
Must be in compliance with school attendance, if under 18.
The following requirements must be met in order to obtain a regular Class E license:
Must hold the learners license for 12 months or until the 18th birthday.
Must have NO moving traffic violation convictions 12 months from the issue date of the Learners license.
May have one moving traffic violation conviction within 12 months from the issue date of the learners license, if adjudication is withheld.
A parent, legal guardian or responsible adult over 21 years old, must certify that the driver has 50 hours of driving experience, of which 10 hours must be at night.
Parent's Consent for Minors
If you are under 18 and are not married, your license application must be signed by one parent or legal guardian. The application must be signed in front of the examiner or a notary public. Whoever signs your application agrees to take responsibility with you for your driving. If the signer decides not to accept responsibility for your driving, your license will be canceled. To cancel the license, the signer must write a letter to the department, at the address listed below, requesting to withdraw their consent for the minor driver. Include the complete name, date of birth and driver license number of the minor driver in the letter.
Division of Driver License
Neil Kirkman Building
2900 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Attn: Bureau Chief of Driver Improvement
Download 2009 Florida Driver's Handbook
PDF format, 1.6MB, 47Pages.
Department of Highway Safety
And Motor Vehicles
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0565
Download Official Florida Driver's Handbook 2008
PDF format, 8.2MB, 64Pages.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Public Records 4
Warning 4
Emergency Contact Information 4
Definitions 5
CHAPTER 1 - YOUR LICENSE
Classified Driver Licenses 6
Licensing Information 6
Application for Driver License or ID Card 7
Identifying Yourself 7
Non US Citizens 8
Examination Information 10
Appointments 10
License Renewal 11
Identification Card 12
Fees 12
Organ Donor Program/
Voluntary Contributions 12
CHAPTER 2 - YOUR DRIVING
PRIVILEGE
Revocation, Suspension, & Cancellation 14
The Point System 14
Driving While Impaired 15
Insurance Laws 15
Crashes - Your Responsibilities 18
CHAPTER 3 - YOUR DRIVING
Defensive Driving 19
Safety Belts 19
Protecting Children 20
Speed Limits 20
Right-of-Way 21
Pedestrians 21
Bicyclists 22
Making Turns 22
Passing 23
Parking 24
Expressway Driving 25
Animals 26
Handling Emergencies 26
Sharing the Road with a Truck 27
The "No Zone" 27
Sharing the Road with a Bicycle 28
Sharing the Road with a Motorcycle 28
CHAPTER 4 - SIGNALS, SIGNS AND PAVEMENT
MARKINGS
Traffic Signals 29
Traffic Signs 29
Railroad Crossing Signs and Signals 34
Drawbridge Signs and Signals 34
Special Signs 35
Pavement Markings 35
CHAPTER 5 - YOUR VEHICLE
Equipment Standards 37
Bumper Height Requirements 38
Limitations on Towing 38
Anti-lock Braking 39
Bicycles 39
Mopeds 40
Vehicle Licensing 40
Study Questions 40
CHAPTER 6 - OTHER INFORMATION
First Aid Information 43
How to Get Your Driving Record 43
How to Get a Crash Report 43
On-line Services 44
Sexual Offenders/Predators
Career Offender 44
Driving School Providers 44
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