A MAJOR US state is raising the bar on driver education to improve safety for teens – starting from August 1.
A host of new requirements are set to be put in place and young drivers risk being banned from the road unless they follow the rules.
GettyA US state has enforced mandatory driver education to curb teen-related fatalities and promote responsible driving[/caption] GettyTeens face new training, restrictions, and parental consent requirements to ensure safer roads for all[/caption]According to the Chronicle Online, the original date for the new law was set for July 1, 2025, but now the new requirements will take effect on August 1 – giving youngsters a few more weeks to prepare.
The law, coming to Florida under Statute 322.1615, was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis as part of Senate Bill 994, and was passed unanimously.
It means teens aged 15 and over must now complete a 50-hour Driver Education/Traffic Safety Classroom course approved by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), in addition to the current four-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course.
Further to that, they must pass vision and hearing screenings, as well as obtain parental consent.
There are also certain restrictions they must follow after receiving the permit, such as driving only during daylight hours for the first three months.
They must also have a licensed adult (21+) in the car with them.
The FLHSMV website provides the Florida Driver’s Handbook and a list of approved education programs, and urges families to contact their local tax collector’s office for the most accurate and location-specific information.
Levy County schools are already offering the required driver education courses online during the school year, with additional assessments included.
And a summer lab providing limited in-car instruction with certified teachers is also set to be made available.
SAFETY CONSCIOUS
According to the state, the ultimate goal is to improve driver safety and reduce teen-related crashes and fatalities.
Their data showed that over 1 million crashes involving teen drivers occurred in Florida in 2020, leading to thousands of fatalities and injuries.
This comes as Ohio is also set to force drivers under 21 to complete a full driver’s education course, similar to the requirements for drivers under 18.
This includes classroom instruction, driving practice and holding a temporary permit.
Governor Mike DeWine spent months advocating for the change, saying new adult drivers need just as much training as teenagers.
In a news conference, he said: “We know that young people who go through driver’s training become safer drivers – safer for themselves and safer for everyone else on the road.
“And that’s not just true for young people. It’s true for adults.”
But the new law may present several challenges for young drivers, including added cost.
Full driver’s education courses can be expensive, which may discourage some young people from pursuing a license.
Indeed, it’s well known that many teenagers delay getting their licence to avoid the costs and requirements of driver’s education.
What does Florida's license plate law say?
Driving on a public roadway with customized license plates is illegal in Florida.
Florida Statutes Section 320.061 prohibits the unlawful altering of a license plate.
The law states that altering or obscuring the following items is illegal:
Motor vehicle registration certificates License plates Temporary license plates Mobile home stickers Validation stickersDrivers cannot mutilate, alter, deface, or change the color of the plate in any way.
You can also not apply or attach the following to the license plate:
Substance Reflective matter Illuminated device Spray Coating Covering Other material interfering with the legibility, angular visibility, or detectability of the license plateNothing should interfere with the ability to record any feature or detail on the plate.
“A person who violates this section commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318,” the law states.
The penalties for the violations include a $60 fine, three points on the driver’s license, and additional county fees.
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