Learner's License

In order to get a learner's license, you must:

• provide the required documents
• be at least 15 years old
• complete the required driver education course
  • Important Update - Driver Education for Teen Safety (DETS) Required Effective July 1, 2025
    Beginning July 1, 2025, the DETS course will replace the Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) Course for minors under 18 who wish to obtain a learner's license
    July 2025 will serve as a transitional period during which the TLSAE and DETS courses will both be accepted. However, starting August 1, 2025, the DETS course will be required for all minors unless the TLSAE course was completed prior. 
    If the TLSAE course was completed before August 1, 2025, it will only be valid for one year. If the permit is not obtained in that time frame, the DETS course will be required.
• pass a vision & hearing test provided in our office
• parent or legal guardian must be present or provide a signed Parental Consent Form if you are under 18
• pass a test on road rules & road signs (practice test available online).
  • All knowledge exams have a sixty (60) minute time limit. Failure to successfully complete the exam in the allotted time period will result in the exam being terminated and a failure will be recorded.
  • Tests are available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
  • Oral Exams with an interpreter are available by appointment only for Sarasota County residents. To schedule an appointment, please call 941.861.8300, option 2.

Testing Locations
Visit any Service Center to take the test. To ensure a testing computer is available, you must schedule a "Learner's Written Test" appointment (testing is not available at North Port location).

If you are under 18, you may take the test online (for a fee) available from providers approved by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Once you complete the exam, your completion information is automatically submitted to our office in a timely manner. Although the paper certificate is not required, you are encouraged to bring your certificate or confirmation number. 

Please note: If you take the test from an approved provider, you may be randomly selected by the state for a retest at our office. The retest can happen the date of your appointment or, if a testing station is not available, your appointment will need to be rescheduled. You are recommended to plan at least 2 hours to accommodate this possibility.

Fees

• If the tester passes the exam on their first try, there is no fee for the exam itself. The fee for issuance of the Learner's Permit is $54.25.
• If the tester has previously taken the exam or does not pass, a retest fee of $16.25 will apply. 

Teenage Drivers
Florida uses a Graduated Licensing System for drivers under the age of 18. After holding a learner's license for at least one year and meeting all requirements, teens may be eligible for a regular driver's license.  However, driving privileges and restrictions vary by age until 18.