Can I Get a Florida Driver's License Online?
Obtaining a driver's license in Florida is relatively easy; most of the steps involved need you to be there in person. You can carry out only the Florida driver's test and the driver's course online if you are eligible. The driver's online course is also known as Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) or the Drugs Alcohol Traffic Awareness (DATA) course. The driver test can only be carried out after completing your online course.
There are two main categories of individuals who apply for a Florida driver's license, and the application process differs for each category. The two main categories are:
- Teens obtaining a Learners license and Driver's License
- Adults Getting Their First Driver’s License
Teens Obtaining a Learner's License and Driver's License
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in Florida permits teenagers to obtain a learner's permit when they clock 15. They will then get their driver's license the next year or when they turn 18 provided, they are not involved in any violations, and they meet all of the requirements for a driver's license.
Requirements for Teens with Learners Permit to Get Their Driver's License
- When driving with a learner's permit in Florida, you must always have a licensed driver who is 21 or more in the seat closest to you at all times.
- The teen must hold the learner's permit for a minimum of one year or till theyturn 18 - whichever is applicable.
- You can only drive during the day for the first three months of driving with the permit. After the first three months, you will be allowed to drive till 10 pm. After a year (when you turn 17), you can drive between 6 am and 11 pm. When you turn 18, you can drive between 5 am, and 1 am.
- The teen must have at least 50 hours of driving experience within the window of the learner's permit. The teen must have a minimum of 10 hours of night driving experience.
Applying for a Florida Learners Permit
When applying for a learners permit in Florida, here are the steps to take:
- The first test is to take the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course or the Drugs Alcohol Traffic Awareness (DATA) course. You are required to take this course or any equivalent offered by your local school board. Once you complete the course, your details are submitted to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) by your provider.
- The next step is to apply for a learner's license at the closest DHSMV service center to you and bring the required documents with you. Some service centers will need you to book an appointment online before the date of application. Important documents to bring along when going for the application include your identity card, birth certificate, social security number, citizenship, and your residential address in Florida. You are also expected to submit an HSMV 71142. An HSMV 71142 is a Parental Consent for a Driver Application of a Minor. A parent or guardian must sign it in the presence of the Notary public or a Driver's License Service Center employee.
- The next step is to pass a designated vision test, a hearing test, and get your picture taken at the licensing office. Applicants with impaired hearing will be required to get a hearing aid or get an outside rearview mirror mounted on the left side. Those with poor vision will need to see an eye specialist before their license can be approved. Those suffering from color blindness are not required to see a specialist.
- The applicant is then required to pass a knowledge test. The test can be carried out at the licensing center or in dedicated third-party centers. Applicants who are less than 18 years old can take the test online.
- Payment for the license is usually the last step, after which you will wait to receive your license in the mail.
Adults Getting Their First Driver’s License
In Florida, you are considered an adult when you are more than 18 years old. If you had never had a learner's license before you turned 18, you will need to pass through the steps of getting a learner’s license - take the DATA course, apply at the DHSMV service center with the required documents, pass the designated tests and pay for the license. You can skip all these processes if you previously had a learner's license.
The next step is going for a spin on their test drive ground. It can take place at the Driver License Service Center or a third-party test drive provider. If it is being carried out at the servicing center, you are required to bring your vehicle. Some third-party centers may provide you with a car for the test. When you pass this test, you will have your picture taken and then go ahead to pay a $48 license fee. If you have had a previous learner's license, you will have to submit it before you can collect your driver's license.
The Permit Test
The permit test is a combination of 50 multiple-choice tests that are usually carried out online or in person. Only applicants under 18 years old are permitted to take it online; adults must take the test in person. It is also called the DMV test, and its options consist of two wrong options and one correct option.
Of the 50 DMV test questions, 40 are on driving rules and regulations, while the other ten are based on Florida road signs. You must pass at least 40 questions (80%) of the test before you can be allowed to move to the next stage. If you fail the test, there is an opportunity to retake the test with the payment of a $10 retesting fee. Taking the test at a tax collector office incurs an additional $6.25 service charge to the retesting fee.
In conclusion, most of the processes involved in getting your driver's license in Florida require you to appear in person at a Driver License Service Center or other designated third-party centers. The driver's course is available for everyone online, while the Florida driver's test can only be taken online by individuals under 18 years old applying for a learner's license.
Although most of the processes involved in getting a Florida driver's license cannot be done online, for other online activities relating to vehicles licensing and registrations, you can resort to Swift-tags.com online platform to handle your concerns. It allows you to get all you need from your online devices.
