Eligibility Requirements

• Driving Skills Test Eligibility Requirements

  • High School and College Students in Hillsborough County (both public and private) – must show student ID 
  • Must be 16 and have a valid learner’s permit for at least 12 months with no moving violations
  • If under 18, must have driven a minimum of 50 hours during the past 12 months, of which 10 hours of driving were at night
  • If under 18, must submit Certification of Driving Experience of a minor prior to taking the driving skills test
  • Must be accompanied to the office by a parent or legal guardian over the age of 21
  • The vehicle used for the driving test must have a valid registration, proof of insurance, and pass a basic vehicle inspection that is conducted by the driving test examiner to determine that it is safe for a driving test

  Get an in-depth look at the road test and what to expect in our helpful video here.

• Learner's Permit/Written Test Eligibility Requirements

  • NEW Education Course Requirement (Starting August 1, 2025):
    • Individuals under 18 years old who have never held a driver’s license from any other state, country, or jurisdiction must complete a 6-hour DETS course before applying for a Florida license
    • The DETS course replaces the previous 4-hour Traffic Law Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE)
    • You can find a list of approved DETS course providers by visiting Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) – Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
  • High School and College Students in Hillsborough County (both public and private) – must show student ID 
  • To apply for a learner’s license, you must be at least 15 years old
  • Anyone over 18, must have completed a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course (TLSAE)
  • Parent or guardian must be present – Must have Parental Consent Form signed by a parent or guardian in the presence of a HCTC staff or notarized if the parent or guardian will not be present
  • REAL ID documents to establish identity, proof of legal presence, proof of social security number (if issued) and two proofs of residential address.
  • Must complete Class E Knowledge exam consisting of 50 questions on traffic laws and signs.  You must have 40 correct answers to pass (80%).  We can test at HCTC
  • Must complete vision test using an eye machine.  Must have 20/40 or better in each and both eyes, with or without corrective lenses, to pass
  • Must complete hearing test

• Driver License Issuance

  • High School and College Students in Hillsborough County (both public and private) – must show student ID 
  • Customer must be 16 at least years old (held learner’s license at least one year or reached the age of 18)
  • Customer must have successfully completed ALL testing requirements, and ANY test completed with a Third Party, including the school system, must be verifiable through the electronic system
  • No moving violations convictions for one year from learner’s license date of issuance (Or may have one moving violation as long as adjudication was withheld)
  • REAL ID documents to establish identity, proof of legal presence
  • Proof of social security number (if issued)
  • Two proofs of residential address
  • If under 18, must be accompanied to the office by a parent or legal guardian over the age of 21 or have signed and notarized parental consent form (for learner’s license) or signed and notarized Certification of Driving Experience (for Driving Skills)
  • Must complete vision test using an eye machine.  Must have 20/40 or better in each and both eyes, with or without corrective lenses, to pass