✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in Florida for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Yes, under 18: a 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course approved by FLHSMV is required before the learner's license, since Aug. 1, 2025 (Fla. Stat. 322.1615, ch. 2025-104). FDOE driver ed courses 1900300/1900310 or school-board DELAP courses can substitute.source 1 · source 2
Supervised practice (teens)	50 hours supervised driving, 10 at night; hold learner's license 12 months or until 18.source 3
New adult drivers	Yes: applicants 18+ must complete the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course unless licensed elsewhere or DOE driver ed done.source 4
Who licenses driving schools	Florida Dept. of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) licenses driver schools and certifies instructors.source 5
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	No state training hours: FLHSMV's CDL requirements list an Operator's License, vision, knowledge and skills tests; federal ELDT is the only training rule found.source 6
CDL schools: state license	Yes: truck driving schools need a Commission for Independent Education license (Fla. Stat. ch. 1005) and are also subject to ss. 488.04 and 488.05.source 5
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	No state CDL hour minimum found in ch. 488 or FLHSMV rule 15A-11; FLHSMV lists Operator's License, vision, knowledge and skills tests. Federal ELDT only.source 6 · source 7
CDL schools: instructor rules	Yes: FLHSMV instructor rules for CIE-licensed truck schools; instructors need at least 3 years of Class A CDL driving experience before applying (Rule 15A-11.009, 2010).source 7 · source 5
Carriers training their own drivers: license	No clear in-house exemption. Ch. 1005 exempts 'contract training' (an outside trainer paid by an employer for its own employees); a carrier training directly is not named.source 8 · source 9
Carriers: hours or curriculum	No state hours for anyone; federal ELDT only.source 6
Carriers: instructor rules	Unclear. Rule 15A-11.009 covers instructors of CIE-licensed truck schools; s. 488.04 also covers anyone paid to teach driving, with no employer exemption stated.source 5 · source 7
New school bus drivers	40 hours preservice: at least 20 classroom + 8 behind-the-wheel, incl. CPR and first aid (Rule 6A-3.0141).source 10 · source 11
School bus refresher	At least 8 hours in-service training each year, plus annual dexterity test.source 10 · source 11

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from Florida, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driver's manual

The Official Florida Driver License Handbook

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles · rev. 08/2023 · 104 pages

Download PDF Official copy on the state site

Teen and parent guides

Learner's License Driving Log

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles · 2017 · 1 pages

Download PDF Official copy on the state site

Teen and parent guides

Parent & Teen Safe Driving Agreement

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles · 1 pages

Download PDF Official copy on the state site

Mature and senior drivers

Florida's Guide to Safe Mobility for Life: The Keys to Your Transportation Future

Florida Department of Transportation Safe Mobility for Life Program / Coalition · Revised March 2026 · 160 pages

Download PDF Official copy on the state site

Commercial (CDL)

Commercial Driver License Manual Florida Supplement for Modernized Version

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles · October 2023 · 24 pages

Open on the state siteCopyright AAMVA, so it opens on the state's site.

Commercial (CDL)

Florida Commercial Driver's License Manual

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles · Version: July 2022 · 164 pages

Open on the state siteCopyright AAMVA, so it opens on the state's site.

School bus

Basic School Bus Operator Curriculum

Florida Department of Education, School Transportation Management Section · Revised 2021 · 391 pages

Download PDF Official copy on the state site

Motorcycle and moped

Florida Motorcycle Operator Handbook

RideSMART Florida (Florida Motorcycle Safety Coalition), maintained by USF Center for Urban Transportation Research · last revision date April 29, 2026 · 76 pages

Open on the state siteCopyright RideSMART Florida (University of South Florida), so it opens on the state's site.

Other driving guides

A Logger's Guide to Trucking Requirements

Florida Highway Patrol, Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement · 26 pages

Download PDF Official copy on the state site

Other driving guides

Commercial Motor Vehicle Manual (2016 9th Edition – Trucking Manual)

Florida Highway Patrol, Office of Commercial Vehicle Enforcement · Ninth Edition, July 2016 · 46 pages

Download PDF Official copy on the state site

Driving jobs in Florida

112,920heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers employed (May 2025)

$50,640median yearly pay (May 2025)

13,490projected openings each year, 2024 to 2034

12.6%projected job growth, 2024 to 2034

U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsOccupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Florida, May 2025 Projections CentralLong-Term Occupational Projections (2024-2034)

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

See all states