Teen driver hours — licensed driver age 17
Florida Statute § 322.16(3), (6)
Summary verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: October 7, 2026.
Quick Summary
A licensed 17-year-old may not operate a motor vehicle after 1 a.m. and before 5 a.m. unless accompanied by a driver at least 21 with a valid license for the vehicle type OR driving directly to or from work. Verify age, operation, precise time, the accompanying driver’s authorization, and any work exception. This is a civil moving violation. Drivers under 17 have different hours; learner-license holders have separate accompaniment and daylight/10 p.m. restrictions. Do not infer criminal license status merely from being out during restricted driving hours.
Classification, Points & Penalties
Classification, Points & Penalties
- Category
- Driver License
- Type
- Moving
- Civil / Criminal
- Civil
- Offense Classification
- Moving infraction
- Points
- 3; 6 if resulting in a crash; disposition may affect assessment
- Fine / Penalty
- $60 base moving penalty under §318.18(3)(a); costs and qualifying crash penalties may apply
Base fines are not the total payable amount. Costs, enforcement method, crash consequences, prior history, and court disposition can change penalties or points. A reported zero does not rule out license suspension or revocation.
Court & Enforcement
Court & Enforcement
- Mandatory Court
- No, generally; qualifying death/SBI crash requires hearing under §318.19
- NTA Eligible
- N/A — civil citation
- Custodial Arrest
- No — civil infraction (absent separate lawful basis)
NTA means notice to appear. Eligibility is conditional; these fields do not independently authorize arrest. Confirm the exact statutory track, lawful arrest authority, traffic procedure, and agency policy.
Arrest authority guideCivil infractions resulting in death or serious bodily injury require a hearing under §318.19.