You will need to wait the full 12 months to get your Florida driver's license unless before the 12 months has transpired your 18th birthday occurs. So if you just got your permit at age 17 than you would have to wait the full 12 months until you turned 18 to try and get your license but instead if you have had your permit for only 3 months but your 18th birthday is in 3 months than you could at that time go for your driver's license.
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) every person under 18 years old must hold a Learner’s License for one year and there are NO exceptions to this law.
According to the FL Driver's Handbook, in 2000 Florida Legislature amended section 322.05 of the Florida Statutes changing the requirements to obtain a Class E license for a driver under the age of 18 holding a learner’s license. Becoming effective back on October 1, 2000 the following requirements must be met by the driver in order to obtain a regular Class E license:
- Must hold the learner’s license for 12 months or until the 18th birthday.
- Must have NO convictions 12 months from the issue date of the Learner's license.
- May have one traffic conviction within 12 months from the issue date of the learner’s license, if adjudication is withheld.
- A parent, legal guardian or responsible adult over 21 years old, must certify that the driver has 50 hours of driving experience, of which 10 hours must be at night.
As you can see from number 1 above you have to hold the learner's permit (license) for 12 months OR until you turn 18. For information on Auto Insurance for Young Drivers see the article section of our Learning Center.
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