Florida driver's license
Get your first license in Florida after moving to the US.
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Florida and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
A first license
$48 for an original Class E license, and the learner's license is included in that. Tax collector offices can add a separate service fee.
You pay this when you apply.
If you just arrived in the US
Foreign documents with no expiry date
Florida examines every applicant, including anyone licensed in another state or country, so a missing expiry date on your foreign license changes nothing.
If your license from another state has expired
Florida's test waiver applies only if you surrender a license that is still valid. If your out-of-state license has expired, you take Florida's exams — vision, hearing, knowledge, and the Class E driving skills test — like a first-time applicant.
Tests you take
Eye test
Reading worse than 20/40 in either eye means a referral to an eye specialist; 20/70 can still qualify if the vision cannot be improved, but 20/80 or worse in each eye, when neither can be improved, means no license. If corrective lenses bring you up to the standard, your license restricts you to driving while wearing them.
20/40 or better in each eye, with or without corrective lenses, passes with no referral, and your field of vision must be at least 130 degrees. Telescopic lenses do not count toward the standard, and a driver who cannot meet the minimums has the driving privilege revoked.
Drive test
Yes
Tries you get on the written test
Anyone found to have cheated during, or otherwise evaded, any portion of the exam must retake it.
Florida publishes no cap on written-test attempts; the driving test is capped at five attempts in one year. You need at least 80 percent of the questions correct to pass, and cheating means immediate failure.
A knowledge retest costs $10.
If you fail the written or vision test, you can take it again the same day if the office has examining time left. A written and vision test you have passed need not be retaken after a failed driving test, as long as the results are still on record.
Practice questions for the written test
The handbook was last revised in August 2023 and does not reflect changes the Florida Legislature made after that date. Where the handbook and the law differ, the law governs.
The Official Florida Driver License Handbook (flhsmv.gov/pdf/handbooks/englishdriverhandbook.pdf, also published in Spanish) covers both the Class E knowledge exam and the driving skills test, and ends with a study guide of 84 questions. The knowledge exam itself is 50 multiple-choice questions.
The handbook is free at flhsmv.gov/pdf/handbooks/englishdriverhandbook.pdf. FLHSMV also publishes a PDF showing where each study-guide answer is found, at flhsmv.gov/pdf/handbooks/dl-handbook-study-guide-answer-locations.pdf.
Using an interpreter
The FAQ is also published in Spanish.
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
A licensed driver who is 21 or older and licensed for the class of vehicle you are driving. They must sit in the seat closest to your right.
What to bring to the drive test
Who comes with you
With a learner license, a licensed driver who is 21 or older must ride in the seat closest to your right — the front passenger seat — every time you drive. An applicant who is 18 or older is outside the learner restrictions entirely.
A language interpreter can be with you if you need one; no other passengers are allowed.
Florida's exam rule sets duties only for the vehicle — the inspection, insurance and plate. It does not say whether a licensed driver must come with you to the test.
The car and its insurance
You provide the car, with a valid license plate and proof of insurance, and it is inspected before the test. The test is not given if the examiner finds a defective horn, mirror, signals, steering, brakes, tires, lights or wipers, cracked glass that blocks visibility, missing doors or stationary seats, or an expired tag — and everyone in the car must wear a seat belt.
Where to go
Who gives the tests
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), through its web-based testing system, ADLTS.
A Treasure Coast Driving School, Inc. (atreasurecoastdrivingschool.com, 941 SE Central Parkway, Stuart, FL 34994, 772-220-0510) gives the driving skills test but not the knowledge exam.
The driving skills exam is given at FLHSMV driver license offices, at tax collector offices that offer driver license services, and by third-party administrators. You can take the road test with a private third-party administrator, not only at a state office.
Booking an appointment
Use the "Make an Appointment" link on the FLHSMV locations page to book.
Office locations
You can find driver license and motor vehicle service centers at flhsmv.gov/locations/. Select your county to see the offices near you.
Each of Florida's 67 counties has its own page under flhsmv.gov/locations/, so pick your county there to see its offices. Temporary office closures are listed at flhsmv.gov/locations/temporary-office-closures/.
Other states
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Every source, quoted24 sources
Every fact on this page is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
“Original Class E (includes Learner’s license)* $48.00”
flhsmv.gov/feesChecked August 4, 2026
“The department shall examine every applicant for a driver license, including an applicant who is licensed in another state or country, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.”
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfmChecked August 1, 2026
“However, the department may waive the knowledge, endorsement, and skills tests for an applicant who is otherwise qualified and who surrenders a valid driver license from another state or a province of Canada, or a valid driver license issued by the United States Armed Forces, if the driver applies for a Florida license of an equal or lesser classification.”
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfmChecked August 19, 2026
“15A-1.013 Minimum Visual Standards for Licensing. (1) Applicants reading worse than 20/40 in either eye, with or without corrective lenses, are referred to a licensed eye specialist for possible improvement. (2) Applicants reading 20/70 in either eye, with or without corrective lenses, are qualified if vision cannot be improved; however, if one eye is blind, or 20/200 or worse, the other eye must be 20/40 or better or a license shall not be issued. (3) Applicants reading 20/80 or worse, in each eye when neither eye can be improved shall not be licensed. (4) Applicants whose visual acuity is improved by corrective lenses to meet the above requirements shall be restricted to driving while wearing such lenses.”
flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.aspChecked August 1, 2026
“20/40 or better vision in each eye with or without corrective lenses meets state requirements without referral to an eye specialist. ◆ 20/50 or worse vision in either eye with or without corrective lenses are referred to an eye specialist for possible improvement. ◆ 20/70 vision in either eye, or both eyes together may pass after referral to an eye specialist, providing the vision in the worst eye is better than 20/200. ◆ If one eye is blind or 20/200 or worse, the other eye must be 20/40 or better with or without corrective lenses. ◆ The minimum acceptable field of vision for an applicant or licensed driver is 130 degrees.”
flhsmv.gov/pdf/handbooks/englishdriverhandbook.pdfChecked July 27, 2026
“All applicants must show proof that they have completed a traffic law and substance abuse education course and will be required to pass vision and hearing tests, road rules and road sign tests, plus a driving test.”
flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/what-to-bring/frequently-asked-questionsChecked August 1, 2026
“An applicant who is found to have cheated during, or to have otherwise circumvented, any portion of the examination must retake the examination.”
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfmChecked August 1, 2026
“15A-1.012 Driver License Examinations: Scoring. An applicant shall fail an examination for any of the following: (1) Written examinations – failing to correctly answer at least eighty percent of questions. (2) Cheating is the unauthorized use of any material, devices, or communications. To do so will result in immediate failure.”
flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.aspChecked July 28, 2026
“Knowledge retest* $10.00”
flhsmv.gov/feesChecked August 4, 2026
“15A-1.016 Test/Examination Failure; Disqualification: Procedure. (1) Applicants are required to successfully complete the written test and vision test before being permitted to demonstrate driving ability. (2) Once the written and vision tests have been successfully passed, such tests need not be retaken upon failure of the driving test unless the test results are no longer a matter of record. (3) Upon failing a vision or written examination, another test/examination may be taken on the day of failure, examining time permitting.”
flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.aspChecked August 3, 2026
“The Official Florida Driver License Handbook contains condensed and paraphrased points of Florida laws and provides safety advice not specifically addressed in the laws. The handbook is not a legal authority and is not intended for use in court. This handbook will not reflect any changes made by the Florida Legislature after the last revision date (located at the bottom of this page).”
flhsmv.gov/pdf/handbooks/englishdriverhandbook.pdfChecked July 27, 2026
“The Official Florida Driver License Handbook is produced by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). This guide has the information needed to prepare for the Florida Driver License Class E Knowledge Exam, the Driving Skills Test, and to help you drive safely and lawfully.”
flhsmv.gov/pdf/handbooks/englishdriverhandbook.pdfChecked July 27, 2026
“Español”
“the person must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older, who is licensed to operate the class of vehicle being operated, and who is actually occupying the closest seat to the right of the driver”
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfmChecked July 27, 2026
“Always drive accompanied by a licensed driver, age 21+, who rides in the closest seat to the right of the driver.”
flhsmv.gov/pdf/handbooks/englishdriverhandbook.pdfChecked August 15, 2026
“15A-1.0125 Oral Examinations. (1) If an applicant is unable to read, any required Class E written examination shall be given orally or by an automated audio device. (2) The test question pool shall be used for all examinations, including those administered on-line or orally.”
flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.aspChecked August 1, 2026
“(4) Proof of valid motor vehicle insurance and license plate, as required by Florida law, must be demonstrated for vehicles used for driving tests.”
flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.aspChecked July 28, 2026
“You must provide a vehicle (with a valid license plate and insurance) for the driving skills test. Your vehicle will be inspected to determine that it is safe for a driving test. The driving skills test will not be given if the examiner finds:”
flhsmv.gov/pdf/handbooks/englishdriverhandbook.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
“The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) uses a web-based application for the administration of Class E Knowledge and Driving Skills Exams called the Automated Driver License Testing System (ADLTS).”
flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-coursesChecked August 3, 2026
“A Treasure Coast Driving School, Inc. www.atreasurecoastdrivingschool.com 941 SE Central Parkway Stuart, FL 34994 772-220-0510 No Yes”
flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/driver-license-examsChecked August 4, 2026
“The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) uses a web-based application for the administration of Class E Knowledge and Driving Skills Exams called the Automated Driver License Testing System (ADLTS). ADLTS is used by Florida driver license offices and tax collector offices offering driver license services, as well as third party administrators.”
flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-coursesChecked July 26, 2026
“Make an Appointment”
flhsmv.gov/feesChecked August 4, 2026
“Select your county below for information on local driver license and motor vehicle service centers, Bureau for Administrative Reviews, Florida Highway Patrol stations, Clerk of the Court offices and motorist services regional offices.”
flhsmv.gov/locationsChecked July 26, 2026
“Alachua -> https://www.flhsmv.gov/locations/alachua/”
flhsmv.gov/locationsChecked July 26, 2026
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