The moment they enter high school, many teens want to start driving. After all, teens on TV get to drive on their own. Teens are excited about the sense of freedom and independence that driving gives them. As a parent, you may be a little less excited and a little more nervous. Driving can be dangerous, and no parent wants their child to get hurt. Teens need guidance and practice, but you may be unsure of when you should actually start helping your teen practice driving. Legally speaking, teens can begin the graduate licensing program at 15, which in theory means your teen can start practicing driving at 15. However, choosing when your teen gets behind the wheel depends on your instincts.
Florida’s Instructional Permit for Driving
The first step for teens to be able to drive is to obtain an instructional permit. In Florida, to obtain this permit, a teen must meet the following requirements:
- Be 15 years old
- Successfully complete traffic laws and substance abuse course
- Pass a written test
- Pass a vision test
An instructional permit is not a full license. It’s a permit that allows teens to drive but with restrictions. Permit holders can only operate their car if they’re accompanied by an adult of 21 years or old in the passenger seat. Furthermore, permit holders can only drive during the daytime for the first three months.
4 Tips for Practicing Driving With Your Teen
The legal age in Florida for teens to receive their license is 16, which means teens can start practicing as young as 15. However, just because they’re legally allowed to start practicing doesn’t mean that it’s the age you feel they can begin driving. The answer really depends on you and your teen and what’s best for everyone involved. Whether your teen starts practicing at 15 or 17, here are a few tips that can help navigate their lessons and get them ready for their license exams.
1. Teach Them About Cars
Before turning on the car, it’s important to understand how the car functions and the maintenance it requires. Some experienced drivers are able to detect something wrong in their vehicle by the feel of the wheel. Your teen may not be able to do that right away, but it’s important that they understand car maintenance. A car that isn’t properly maintained is potentially dangerous to the driver and others.
2. Let Them Get To Know the Car
Help your teen get to know the car they’ll be driving. They should familiarize themselves with how to use the turn signals, the different headlight modes, what seat position is best for them, and any other specific quirks the car may have.
3. Practice in Large Open Spaces
Big empty parking lots are a great beginner course for new drivers. This gives them the space to familiarize themselves with maneuvering the car without people or traffic stops that they’re not used to yet. It’s important to practice on clear as well as rainy days. Practicing with your teen during different weather conditions can really set them up to be successful drivers.
4. Start in Residential Areas and Move Out
Once your teen feels comfortable behind the wheel and is accustomed to the car, then you can begin to branch out. While your teen may be eager to hit the highways, it’s better to start them off in smaller residential areas that are quieter and less congested. Residential areas give them a real-world driving experience without the intenseness of busy streets and highways. From residential areas, you can start to let them drive in heavy traffic and work their way up until they feel comfortable driving in most weather and road conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teen Driving in Florida
When should I start practice driving with my teen in Florida?
Legally, teens in Florida can begin the graduated driver licensing program at age 15 by obtaining an instructional permit. However, deciding when to actually begin practice driving with your teen depends on their maturity level, your comfort as a parent, and their readiness to handle responsibility. Whether your inexperienced teen driver starts at 15 or 17, the most important thing is that they’re ready and willing to learn.
What are the requirements for a teen to get an instructional permit in Florida?
To qualify for an instructional permit under Florida’s graduated driver licensing system, teen drivers must be at least 15 years old, complete a traffic law and substance abuse course, pass a vision test, and pass a written exam. Once issued, the permit comes with restrictions: teens must drive with an adult 21+ in the front passenger seat and are only allowed to drive during daylight hours for the first three months.
Where is the best place to begin driving lessons with a new driver?
For new drivers, wide, open spaces like empty parking lots are ideal for initial driving lessons. These areas allow inexperienced teen drivers to get used to the car’s handling without the stress of traffic. Once your teen is more comfortable driving, gradually introduce them to residential streets, and eventually move toward highways and complex traffic environments.
What should my teen know about the car before starting to drive?
Experienced drivers often detect car issues by feel or sound, but teens need a more hands-on introduction. Before any practice driving, show your teen how the car works: how to adjust seats and mirrors, use headlights, turn signals, windshield wipers, and identify dashboard warning lights. Understanding basic car functions and maintenance helps your teen become a safer and more responsible driver.
How can I build my teen’s confidence behind the wheel?
Building confidence in teen drivers takes patience and gradual exposure to real-world conditions. Begin in low-stress environments, like quiet neighborhoods, and slowly introduce new challenges such as nighttime driving, rain, or heavier traffic. The more varied their practice driving experience, the more comfortable driving they’ll become when it’s time to take their driver license exam and drive independently.
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Legally Written and Reviewed by a Managing Partner
Wooten, Kimbrough, Damaso & Dennis, P.A.
Our content is written and reviewed by our founding attorneys Butch Wooten, Orman Kimbrough, Mike Damaso, and Tom Dennis. Helping the injured since 1966, they’ve successfully handled thousands of personal injury cases across Florida. Whether you’re a Florida resident or an out-of-state visitor injured in Florida, we’re dedicated to providing clear and reliable information to help you navigate your legal options confidently.