Are you ready to join the 17.6 million licensed drivers in the state of Florida? Then read on to learn all the details of how to pass your Florida road test successfully on the first attempt.
Before you head over to the motor vehicle office, you’ll need to complete a few steps of preparation first.
According to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles office, if you’ve never held a valid drivers’ license before, you must complete the Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education Course (TLSAE) before you are even eligible to take the Florida behind-the-wheel test.
This course is designed to teach you the basics of the rules of the road, safety and substance abuse issues, especially as they pertain to driving. Some high schools will offer a comparable course that can satisfy this requirement. Select providers offer approved courses for adults.
Once you have completed the TLSAE, you must also pass the Class E Knowledge Exam, which is a written test comprised of 50 multiple choice questions. This test evaluates your mastery of Florida traffic laws, understanding traffic controls and signs, and safe driving practices. A score of 80% is required to pass.
To prepare for the written test, study the Official Florida Handbook, and use online practice tests. When you are ready, you can take the test at a service center or through a third-party administrator.
Your passing score will automatically be submitted to the motor vehicle department to indicate you are ready for the road test.
Besides jumping these testing hurdles, young drivers need to have held their learner’s license for at least 12 months and be at least 18 years old to be eligible to take the Florida driving test.
If you are under 18, you’ll need to have a parent or legal guardian sign a consent form for minors and certify 50 hours of driving experience. Notarized forms can be used if your parent or guardian does not accompany you to the road test.
If you are carrying a valid license from another state, these testing requirements are waived. You only need to pass the required vision and hearing screening tests, which are required for all Florida drivers.
If all these prerequisites are completed, contact your county’s motor vehicle office or use a third-party scheduling business to make an appointment to take your road test. No walk-in appointments are permitted.
Once you have your testing appointment scheduled, be sure to give the car you’ll be using for your test a good once-over. Besides having valid registration and proof of insurance documents, your car will need to pass a basic vehicle inspection beforehand.
NOTE: Jeep-like vehicles and low-speed vehicles are not permitted on the driving test.
A few days before your drivers’ license test, be sure you have all your necessary paperwork in order. Depending on your citizenship status, your age, and other factors, you will need different documents before being allowed to obtain a Florida driver’s license.
For example, U.S. citizens will need to provide proof of identity, social security, and residence. Minors will need to have documents showing parental consent, driver’s education, and experience logs. Be sure to review and collect the documents you will need to bring with you to your behind-the-wheel test.
Be sure you are a few minutes early for your appointment. If you are late, you may be asked to reschedule your test. You must have a licensed driver above the age of 21 accompany you to the testing facility; however, no one will be allowed to ride with you during the actual behind-the-wheel test.
Your examiner will be evaluating your driving during the test to ensure that you can competently perform all driving maneuvers.
Here are the specific skills that are tested on the Florida driving test:
If you passed your road test, congratulations! You’ll be asked to turn in your learner’s permit and pay the necessary fees before being given a temporary driver’s license. You’ll receive your permanent license in the mail during the following weeks.
If you did not pass, listen carefully to your examiner’s feedback. You will learn about any mistakes that you made, especially ones that may have resulted in failing your road test. Be sure to practice those skills in particular, and then make an appointment to take the driving test again.
Many people need to re-take the road test in order to obtain their license so don’t be too concerned if this happens to you. In 2019, more than 400,000 vehicle crashes occurred in the state of Florida. Remember that the ultimate goal of the test is to ensure that both you and others on the road are as safe as possible.
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