PNJ Headlines: Here’s what’s in the news Wednesday
New Pensacola program offers medical care & housing, UWF digs into 300-year-old mission in Molino, and new law for teen drivers in Wednesday’s news
- Florida teens seeking a learner’s permit face a new driver’s ed requirement on July 1
- Driver’s education classes are free in Santa Rosa County and Escambia County Public Schools
This fall, high schoolers in the Santa Rosa County District Schools may have more options to take a driver’s education class.
The school district is considering expanding its curriculum to address a new law that requires students – between 14 and 17 years old who wish to obtain a Florida learner’s permit – to complete a driver’s education course.
The law takes effect July 1 and the driver’s education class is in addition to the existing requirements to take the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course and pass the General Knowledge Exam. The law, Senate Bill 994, was passed on May 2 and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 30.
Does Santa Rosa County District Schools offer driver’s education classes?
- Driver’s education class is offered at some, but not all high schools. Pace and Milton high schools offer the class.
- Students can take a virtual driver’s education class through Santa Rosa Online this fall.
- The current course is classroom-only without on-the-road training. However, the district has not determined if, at some point, on-the-road training will be offered.
- The driver’s education class is free to all students.
- The district is evaluating options and plans on how driver’s education classes will be implemented at other high schools.
- The driver’s education class is not a graduation requirement but can be taken as an elective.
- The course is generally available to students in grades 9–12.
Does Escambia County Public Schools offer driver’s education classes?
Escambia County Public Schools already offers driver’s education classes for students at Escambia, Pensacola, Pine Forest, Tate, Washington and West Florida high schools. Northview High students currently have a virtual option.
- Each high school also has driver’s education ranges on campus for on-the-road training.
- The class is free to Escambia County students, and free in the summer for Escambia County residents between ages 15-18.
- It’s too late to take classes this summer. The registration for next summer opens in April 2026. Register at www.escambiaschools.org/drivereducation.
The Florida Virtual School also offers the approved driver’s ed course online for free. The online course is available 24/7 and is self-paced, according to its website.
What are the requirements for a learner’s permit?
What are Florida’s graduated driving laws?
According to the FLHSMV website, Florida employs a graduated licensing law, with varying regulations based on age and type of license:
- Learner’s permit: Must be at least 15 years old. Daylight driving only for the first three months; after that, only until 10 p.m. Drivers are always accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. And they must hold the learner’s permit for at least 12 months or until their 18th birthday, whichever is first. They’re required to have 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of those at night, before graduating to next step.
- Driver license at 16 years old: Driving is limited to the hours between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., unless traveling to or from work or accompanied by a driver at least 21 years old.
- Driver license at 17 years: Driving is limited to the hours between 5 a.m. and 1 p.m., unless traveling to or from work or accompanied by a driver at least 21 years old.
The Lakeland Ledger contributed to this report.