How many practice hours do you need in Florida?
In Florida, a learner driver must log 50 hours of supervised driving practice—including 10 at night—before applying for a license.
Florida learner permit requirements
- Minimum permit age: 15
- Supervised practice required: 50 hours total, 10 at night (what counts as night driving)
- Permit hold period: 12 months
- License eligibility age: 16
- How hours are certified: Certification of 50 hours signed by a parent or guardian on the license application. DriveMint fills in the HSMV 71143 and Driving Log from your logged drives (see every state form).
The learner permit must be held for 12 months (or until age 18). A parent or guardian certifies the 50 logged hours (10 at night) when applying for the license.
When can you drive with a permit in Florida?
For the first three months of a Florida learner's license, you can drive only in daylight. After that, you can drive until 10 p.m. Either way, a licensed driver 21 or older must sit in the front passenger seat.
Daylight only, with a licensed driver 21 or older in the front passenger seat.
Not allowed.
From daylight until 10 p.m., with that same driver beside you.
Not allowed.
Alone.
Alone until 11 p.m. From 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., only with a licensed driver 21+ or when driving directly to or from work.
Alone.
Alone until 1 a.m. From 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., only with a licensed driver 21+ or when driving directly to or from work.
- The learner's license must be held for 12 months, or until you turn 18, before you can get a driver license.
- Breaking a learner's license or curfew rule is a moving violation with a fine.
With no night driving in the first three months and none after 10 p.m., the 10 night hours have to come after month three, between sunset and 10 p.m. Winter makes them easy: sunset is before 6 p.m. across Florida in December.
Checked against Florida Statutes §322.1615 in October 2026. Limits after the road test are under restrictions for new drivers.
Requirements change and have exceptions. Always confirm the current rules with the Florida HSMV before applying.
Need driver ed in Florida? You can take it online
Florida requires a 4-hour TLSAE (drug and alcohol) course before your first learner's permit — you can complete it online.
Take Florida driver ed online with Aceable →Disclosure: we may earn a commission if you enroll through this link—at no extra cost to you. It doesn't affect our recommendations.
Florida's graduated licensing stages
Drive only with a licensed adult 21+; first 3 months limited to daylight hours, then until 10 p.m.
Issued after 12 months and 50 logged hours; nighttime limits apply by age.
Nighttime restrictions are lifted.
Driving restrictions for new Florida drivers
At 16 you can't drive between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.; at 17 the restricted window is 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. — unless you're with a licensed driver 21+ or driving to or from work.
Florida does not set a specific passenger limit for intermediate drivers, but all occupants must be belted.
Texting while driving is banned for all drivers; handheld use is prohibited in school and work zones.
Log every Florida practice hour automatically
DriveMint tracks each supervised drive, separates day and night hours, and generates a PDF you can print or show at the DMV. Prove all 50 hours without a paper logbook falling apart in the glove box.
New to DriveMint? Watch the one-minute video guides, from setup to a signed log.
Florida driving practice FAQs
How many driving hours do you need in Florida?+
Florida requires 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night, before a teen can apply for a license.
What time can you drive with a permit in Florida?+
Florida limits learner's license holders to daylight hours for the first three months. After three months, they may drive until 10 p.m. At all times, a driver who is at least 21 and licensed for the vehicle must sit in the seat closest to the learner's right. Once licensed, 16-year-olds can't drive from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., and 17-year-olds from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., unless a licensed driver 21 or older is with them or they're driving directly to or from work.
How long must I hold my learner's permit in Florida?+
At least 12 months, or until you turn 18, whichever comes first — and you must log 50 hours of practice (10 at night).
Can I drive to work at night with an intermediate license?+
Yes — driving to or from work is an exception to the nighttime restriction, as is driving with a licensed driver 21 or older.
Requirements in other states
Compare practice hours in all 50 states side by side, or read what actually counts as a night driving hour.