Pass a Florida Driving Test

A Class E driver’s license is required to drive on your own in Florida. Luckily, the process for earning your license is pretty easy. Start by getting a learner’s permit and practicing as much as possible before you take the road test. Then, observe all of the traffic laws and demonstrate your skills as instructed by the drive test administrator. If you pass the test, you can get your driver’s license and start driving solo immediately after.

Steps

Obtaining Your Learner’s Permit

1. Read through the Florida driver’s manual. The DMV’s manual provides in-depth information on the requirements for obtaining a driver’s license as well as information on the laws and skills you will need to know for the road test. Read through it carefully to learn about the skills you’ll need to learn and the traffic laws you’ll need to follow.
   • The manual is available online and in print at the DMV.
2. Take the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education Course. If you have not taken this course already, you will need to take it to be eligible for a learner’s permit. This course will teach you about all of the laws that you will need to follow when you drive. Check with your school or a local agency to find a course.Template:Greenbox: '''Tip''': Be aware that this course is required for anyone who has never held a Florida driver’s license, regardless of age.
3. Visit a nearby DMV and bring the required documents to prove age and identity. You must be at least 15 years old to get your learner’s permit, so you’ll need to provide proof of your age. How you do this will depend on your citizenship. Florida is REAL ID compliant, which means that they adhere to the Federal government’s standards for issuing photo IDs. You’ll need to provide documents from each of the following categories:
   • One original document to serve as your primary identification, such as a US Birth certificate, US passport, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or Certificate of Naturalization.
   • One original document to show proof of Social Security, such as a Social Security card, W-2 form, paycheck or stub, SSA-1099, or any other type of 1099.
   • Two documents that provide proof of residence, such as a deed, mortgage, monthly mortgage statement, lease agreement, Florida Voter Registration card, utility bill, automobile payment booklet, or current homeowner insurance policy.
4. Take a written test to demonstrate your driving skills knowledge. If you pass it, you will be eligible to get a learner’s permit as long as you have satisfied the other requirements and can provide documents to support your eligibility. If you’re under 18, you’ll also need a parent or guardian’s consent to get your learner’s permit.
   • A passing score is 80% or higher, which requires answering correctly on 40 or more out 50 multiple choice questions.
5. Pass a vision and hearing test. These tests will assess whether your vision and hearing make it safe for you to operate a motor vehicle. The tests are administered at the DMV and you can take them when you go for your written skills test.

Getting Driving Experience

1. Practice driving with a licensed driver after you get a permit. If you’re over 18, you can take the road test to obtain your driver’s license any time after you have received your learner’s permit. However, it’s a good idea to practice driving with a licensed driver for at least 1 month before you take the test. If you’re under 18, you must practice with a licensed driver for at least 12 months before you can take the road test for your driver’s license.
   • If you’re under 18, you may not take the driver’s test until you are 16 years old.
2. Observe the marked speed limit and stay in your lane at all times. Don’t exceed the speed limit or drive too slowly either. Aim to keep your vehicle’s speed at or no less than {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} per hour under the marked speed limit. Also, always stay within the lines of your lane when you are driving. This will help to reduce the chances of causing an accident.
   • Be on the lookout for signs indicating the speed limit in any given area. When in doubt, go with the flow of traffic until you spot a sign. Template:Greenbox: '''Tip''': Always make sure to maintain a 3-4 second distance between your car and other cars while you’re traveling. This will give you more time to stop in the event that the car in front of you comes to a quick stop.
3. Work on stopping, merging, and changing lanes safely. Your drive test may include these skills, so practice them often. Start by practicing them in a safe area away from other cars, such as in an empty parking lot. Then, work on practicing these skills in traffic. Some skills you may be tested on include:
   • Bringing your vehicle to a safe stop quickly while going {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} per hour.
   • Using your signal {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} before changing lanes or turning.
   • Looking in front of and behind your vehicle before passing another car.
   • Observing the right-of-way when you encounter pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
   • Stopping at all stop signs and red lights.
4. Perfect your turning, parking, and backing up skills. These skills can be challenging since they require more precision, so practice them often. Start by practicing in an empty parking lot and then practice in areas around other cars when you feel comfortable doing so. Some skills you may need to demonstrate during your road test include:
   • Performing a three-point turn in a {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} space.
   • Parking your vehicle within the lines of a parking space.
   • Backing up {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} while looking over your shoulder.
   • Parallel-Park your vehicle.
5. Drive in the neighborhood around the DMV. Your road test will likely take place in the neighborhood around the DMV. Becoming familiar with this area can help to increase your chances of passing the test. Drive to the neighborhood with a licensed driver and practice the required skills.
   • Practice in the neighborhood a few times in the weeks prior to taking the driving test for the best results.

Taking the Road Test

1. Register for the drive test on the Florida DMV website. Once you have your learner’s permit and you have practiced driving for the required amount of time, you may take the road test. Register for the test using the DMV’s website.
   • Be aware that it may take a few weeks or even months to get an exam date, so plan to register for the test well in advance of when you want to take it.
2. Ensure that your vehicle’s registration and insurance are current. You may not take the drive test if your vehicle is unregistered or if the registration has lapsed. Check to ensure that the sticker and proof of registration are current and will be current at the time of your test. If the registration has expired, renew it before your test. Likewise, check your proof of insurance to make sure that it is current.
   • Place the proof of insurance and registration in the glove box of your car to ensure that they are in the car at the time of your test.
3. Inspect the vehicle’s safety features before your road test. Test your car’s turn signals, brake lights, emergency brake, and hazard lights to ensure that they are all in good working order. Get or make any necessary repairs to the vehicle before your test. Some other things to check before the test include:
   • Mirrors. Ensure that you can adjust the mirrors and that they are free from cracks.
   • Tires. Look for low air or flat tires and get these fixed before the test.
   • Windshield. Inspect the windshield for any cracks and get these fixed before your test.
   • Windshield wipers. If the windshield wipers are missing or do not work properly, replace them.
   • Doors. If the driver or passenger’s side doors won’t open or close properly or are missing, you will not be permitted to take the road test.
   • Bumpers. Check the DMV manual for front and back bumper height limits. If the bumper on your car is too low for its size, you will not be permitted to test.
4. Arrange for a licensed driver to accompany you to the test. You may not drive unaccompanied until you have passed the exam. Ask a friend or family member to go with you to the exam and wait for you at the DMV during your test.
   • The person may not ride along during the test. They must wait for you at the DMV. Template:Greenbox: '''Tip''': If you pass your test, you can get your driver’s license and start driving without supervision. However, if you don’t pass on your first try, keep in mind that most people pass on their second attempt.
5. Prepare to demonstrate all of the driving skills that you practiced. Before you take the test, ensure that you have practiced all the skills that the test administer may ask you to do. During your drive test, you may be asked to:
   • Observe the marked speed limit.
   • Stay in your lane at all times.
   • Stop safely and quickly while going {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} per hour.
   • Signal {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} before changing lanes or turning.
   • Check in front of and behind your vehicle before passing another car.
   • Observe the right-of-way when you encounter pedestrians and emergency vehicles.
   • Stop at all stop signs and red lights.
   • Perform a three-point turn in a {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} space.
   • Park your vehicle within the lines of a parking space.
   • Back up {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} while looking over your shoulder.
   • Parallel-Park your vehicle.

Tips

• Arrive at the DMV at least 15 minutes before your road test. Your test will begin at your scheduled time, and if you’re not there, you may not be allowed to test.
• Try to relax and avoid rushing through the 10-15 minute road test. If you rush, you’ll be more likely to make mistakes. Listen carefully to the drive test administrator’s instructions and be mindful of what you’re doing during the exam.
• Keep both of your hands on the wheel at all times. The only exception to this would be when you are backing up and need to turn to look behind you. At this point, you’ll need to take your right hand off of the wheel and use your left hand only to steer.

References

See also

• Teach Someone Driving Safety
• Be a Smart Teen Driver
• Study for Your Written Driver's Test
• Drive a Car (in General)
• Find a Reputable Driving School
• Attend Driving School
• Do Well in Driver's Education
• Determine if You Are Ready to Drive on Roads and Freeways
• Stay Sane While Teaching Teens to Drive
• Pass Safely on a Two Lane Road

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