Florida Driver's Ed Summary (PDF)

Driver’s Education Course Summary Key Definitions: Vehicle: Any device used for transportation on public highways, excluding devices on rails or a guideway. Includes bicycles and mopeds but excludes Segways. Motor Vehicle: Self-propelled vehicles not...

Driver’s Education Course Summary Key Definitions: Vehicle: Any device used for transportation on public highways, excluding devices on rails or a guideway. Includes bicycles and mopeds but excludes Segways. Motor Vehicle: Self-propelled vehicles not on rails or a guideway. Excludes bicycles, scooters, mopeds, and electric mobility devices. Pedestrian: A person traveling on foot. Driver: Any person controlling a vehicle on a highway or towing another vehicle. Operator: The person in control of a motor vehicle on a highway or towing another vehicle. Owner: The legal titleholder of a vehicle. Cancellation: The voiding of a driver’s license due to error, fraud, or failure to complete required courses. Suspension: Temporary withdrawal of driving privileges. Revocation: Permanent termination of driving privileges. Disqualification: Prohibition from driving a commercial motor vehicle (excluding out-of-service orders). Graduated Licensing and Insurance Requirements: Graduated Licensing System: Implemented in Florida since 1996 for drivers under 18 years old. Learner’s License: Issued at age 15 for supervised driving experience. Intermediate License: For drivers aged 16-17, with restrictions based  on age. Full Privilege License: Class E license with all age-related restrictions lifted. Financial Responsibility Law: Requires liability insurance for vehicle owners and operators. No-Fault Law: Mandates $10,000 Personal Injury Protection and $10,000 Property Damage Liability for most vehicles. Laws on Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Minimum Drinking Age: 21 years old. Alcohol Possession Laws: Florida and other states prohibit possession of alcohol by anyone under 21. DUI Offenses and Penalties: Alcohol-related driving offenses may result in license suspension, revocation, or delays. DUI Definition: In Florida, DUI is when a person’s normal faculties are impaired by alcohol or drugs, or their Blood Alcohol Level (BAL) is.08 or higher. Implied Consent: By applying for a driver’s license, drivers agree to submit to blood, breath, or urine tests. Zero Tolerance Law: Drivers under 21 with a BAL of.02 or higher face a six-month license suspension. Progressive DUI Laws: Florida imposes stricter penalties for repeat DUI offenders. Point System and License Penalties: Point System: Florida tracks driver infractions with points. Accumulating too many points leads to consequences. Teen Driver Restrictions: Teens with 6 points in 12 months will face driving restrictions.  Suspension Guidelines: License suspension occurs with: 12 points within 12 months 18 points within 18 months (about 1 and a half years) 24 points within 36 months (about 3 years) Safety Equipment Requirements: Seat Belts: Mandatory for drivers and front-seat passengers, with certain exceptions. Air Bags: Provide protection between a person and the steering wheel, dashboard, or windshield. Child Safety Seats: Required for children under five years old, with specific guidelines based on age and size. Child Safety in Vehicles: Vehicle Back over Injuries: Annually, about 95 children aged 14 or younger die from back over accidents. Heatstroke: The third leading cause of non-roadway vehicle-related fatalities, averaging 27 child deaths per year from heatstroke. Special Driving Laws and Situations: Railroad Crossings: Stop when a train is approaching, a signal indicates a train, or you hear a train horn or bell. School Buses: Always stop for a school bus, regardless of the direction of travel. Emergency Vehicles: Yield to emergency vehicles using sirens or flashing lights. Move Over Law: If unable to switch lanes, reduce your speed by at least 20 mph below the posted speed limit. Cell Phone Use and Distracted Driving: Cell Phone Use: Driving while using a cell phone, even hands-free, can be as dangerous as drunk driving. Texting While Driving: Distracts eyes, hands, and mind from the road and is as dangerous as drunk driving. Other Distractions: In-car devices such as GPS systems and video players can also pose significant distractions. Vulnerable Road Users Obey bike lanes and shared lanes, leaving at least three feet of space when passing cyclists Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers but must ride to the right side of the roadway and not ride abreast in the same lane Enter a bike lane only to make a turn, after signaling and checking for cyclists Be alert for children near schools, playgrounds, and driveways, reducing speed and watching for speed reduction measures Yield to pedestrians with white canes or guide dogs, avoiding honking Be cautious around elderly and disabled pedestrians who may take longer to cross the road Always yield to pedestrians and watch for road markings near senior facilities Give extra space and attention to road workers such as construction workers and emergency responders Pay close attention to emergency vehicles, construction signs, and persons controlling intersections  Drive slowly and cautiously near road workers, giving them extra space and changing lanes if possible Motorcycles are entitled to use a full lane of traffic and should not be shared with other vehicles Motorcyclists may need to swerve suddenly in response to hazards on the road Most motorcycle collisions occur at intersections, so always yield to motorcycles when making turns or changing lanes Bicyclists must follow traffic laws and ride in the same direction as traffic, staying as close to the right edge of the road as possible Drivers should exercise caution around bicyclists and always check for them before turning Bicyclists leaving the side of the road must also be watched out for, especially when passing other vehicles, preparing to turn left, or avoiding hazards in the road Hand signals should be used by bicyclists when intending to turn or stop Bike boxes at intersections provide a safe place for bicyclists to stop and start when using the intersection Motor vehicles must not stop in the bike box, and all vehicles must stop before crossing the designated stop line Pedestrians should always be yielded the right-of-way, and drivers must take necessary precautions to avoid injuring or endangering pedestrians Children are unpredictable and difficult to see, especially in residential areas and around schools  Disabled pedestrians, including blind pedestrians with guide dogs or wheelchairs, should be treated with courtesy and given the right-of-way Horseback riders and horse-drawn carriages on the roadway have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers If sharing the road with a horse, approach with caution, leave space, and pass carefully It is important to not startle the horse in any way