Do 17-Year-Olds Have a Curfew in Florida?

Driving curfews are set to protect teen drivers and other drivers who may be affected by their driving. This law is meant to ensure that all drivers stay safe on the road and that they do not endanger anyone while they are driving. Read on to learn more about Florida's curfew law.

Curfew in Florida: An Overview

The state of Florida prohibits minors under 16 from being out after dark. Legislation of this sort is commonly enacted to prevent juveniles from being victimized by serious offenses and to keep the peace in communities where teenagers reside.

The laws can vary by city and county, but curfews generally protect children and teens by keeping them safe. Curfews also help parents by providing peace of mind when they know where their child is.

Curfew in Florida: What You Need to Know

In Florida, curfew laws are outlined in Section 877.22 of the Florida statutes, which states that children under 16 years old cannot be out in public during curfew hours. The curfew times on Sundays through Thursdays are between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. On Saturdays or Sundays, they are between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

This law does not apply to holidays like New Year's Eve or Independence Day.

Florida Driving Curfews

The State of Florida enforces several different laws, including driving curfew laws. These laws are intended to keep young drivers safe and help them develop lifelong good habits.

A statewide driving curfew in Florida prohibits 17-year-olds from driving between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. 16-year-olds are prohibited from driving between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

There are exceptions, such as being accompanied by an adult 21 years or older or traveling to or from work.

Penalties for Curfew Violations

First-time offenders are warned in writing. The second offense carries a civil fine of $50. Parents and a juvenile lawyer should accompany minors to the police station or any authorized civic group, such as the FHP or sheriff's office. In this way, they can provide information about their child's driving record and involvement in other driving violations, such as charges of impaired driving or reckless driving, which would affect their child's ability to obtain auto insurance coverage if convicted of these offenses at trial.

Teens caught out after curfew would be taken to the police station or a related facility that houses a legal program. In this case, the teen's parents would be notified, and their child would be returned to them. The police will return the child home if no adult contacts them within two hours.

However minor, a curfew violation charge will still appear on a juvenile's record. When a teen turns 18, Florida may dismiss the charges against them, but this is not guaranteed. To have their records expunged, they must submit an application, which includes payment, paperwork, and fingerprint identification. It may not be possible to have the curfew violation expunged from a criminal record if the offender has a history of criminal behavior.

Guidelines for Obtaining a Teen Driver's License and Insurance in Florida

Teens can start taking the written and vision tests for an instruction permit at the age of 15, with their parent's permission. The state also mandates that the teen take a course on traffic law and substance abuse. The licensee can get behind the wheel in Florida with an adult licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and a passenger who is at least 15 years old.

Underage drivers have a three-month probationary period during which they are restricted to driving only during daylight hours. When the teen's three months are up, he or she can drive under parental supervision until 10:00 p.m.

A restricted driver's license can be obtained at the age of 16 if the applicant has held their learner's permit for at least 12 months without any traffic infractions and has completed 50 hours of supervised driving, of which at least 10 hours must have been at night and has passed both the written and driving exams.

Finally, in Florida, teens are required to carry insurance on their vehicles. Without it, they risk a fine and possible license suspension if pulled over.

Having insurance protects the driver and passengers in the event of an accident. Teenagers have the option of either purchasing their own insurance or being added to their parents' policies.

Guide to Finding Affordable Auto Insurance for Teens

Finding affordable auto insurance for teens in Florida can be difficult. Car insurance rates are high, and the costs of insuring a teen driver are even higher. Here's how to find cheap car insurance for teens in Florida.