According to the Florida Driver's Handbook a person who holds a Learner's license must be accompanied by a licensed driver, 21 years of age or older, who occupies the front passenger seat closest to the right of the driver.

Other restrictions listed include:

• Drivers can only drive during daylight hours the first three months from the original issue date and must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years or older, occupying the front passenger seat.
• After the first three months, drivers may operate a vehicle from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with a licensed driver, 21 years of age or older, occupying the front passenger seat.
• You must holder your Learners License for 12 months with no convictions.

Though we did not see it listed in the FL handbook we have read many places that there is no limit on the amount of passengers in the back seat of the vehicle driven by a permit holder as long as they match the number of seat belts. Thus it appears you can drive with the permit and have back seat passengers when driving with your accompanying supervising license driver in front with you.

Florida is one of the few states left that does not have passenger restrictions in place for those going through their graduated driver’s license (GDL) process. You may want to check with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) periodically during the time you are part of the graduated licensing system in FL make sure the laws have not been amended to include more conditions, such as restrictions regarding passengers or cell phones.