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Manatee County Ages 15–17 Official sources linked

Permit to Road Test in Manatee County

Getting a first Florida license in Bradenton, Palmetto or Lakewood Ranch? Two rules changed recently: a required course and an English-only exam. Here’s every step from learner’s permit to road test, with the fees and forms.

Get the permit Road test

What changed: the DETS course has been required since Aug. 1, 2025, and driver license exams have been given in English only since Feb. 6, 2026.

Minimum age15for a learner license
CourseDETSrequired since Aug. 1, 2025
Knowledge exam50 questions45 road rules · 5 road signs
Permit fees$48 + $6.25learner license + service fee
Step 1

Get the learner’s permit

The Tax Collector’s first-time learner license checklist, in order.

Learner license

4 steps to the permit

  1. Finish the DETS courseDriver Education Traffic Safety, in person or online through a third-party provider or Driver’s Ed. Check that your completion shows on the FLHSMV site before your appointment. Applicants 18+ can take TLSAE instead.
  2. Pass the Class E knowledge exam50 questions: 45 on road rules, 5 on road signs, in English only. Take it online through a third-party provider or Driver’s Ed, or at the Driver License Branch (904 301 Blvd W), the only Tax Collector office that gives written exams. Online passers can be randomly picked for a re-test; re-takes are $10.
  3. Book the appointment and apply onlineBook at taxcollector.com/appointments (Manatee County residents only) and complete the online driver license application. Don’t print it. US citizens who already passed the exam can use the West or East Manatee branch.
  4. Bring documents and a parentProof of identity (US passport or certified birth certificate), proof of Social Security number, and two proofs of residential address (there are alternatives for minors). A parent or guardian comes with ID to sign consent, or completes form HSMV 71142. If the exam was taken online and a parent won’t be at the counter, bring form HSMV 71144.

Source: Tax Collector: First Time Learner License. Vision and hearing tests are given at the office.

Step 2

Learner’s permit rules

From the state’s graduated license rules for teens.

21+supervisor
Always with a licensed driver 21 or olderEvery time you drive on a learner license. (FLHSMV)
3 modaylight
Daylight only for the first 3 monthsAfter that, driving is allowed until 10 p.m. (FLHSMV)
12 mominimum
Hold the permit 12 monthsOr until the 18th birthday, whichever comes first, with no convictions. (FLHSMV)
50 hrpractice
50 supervised hours, 10 at nightA parent or adult 21+ certifies them at the road test. (Tax Collector)
Step 3

Take the road test

At 16 or older, after a year on the permit (or at 18).

At the Tax Collector

The Driver License Branch (904 301 Blvd W) or the East Manatee Branch (10705 Technology Terrace), by appointment, Manatee County residents only. East Manatee gives the Class E test to US citizens. (Tax Collector)

With a private provider

Third-party companies can give the road test on weekends, after hours or during the week, then upload the result to the state. The Tax Collector’s help center lists Ault’s Driver Education Center, (941) 355-4202. Driver’s Ed at school is another option. (Tax Collector)

Bring these

  • Proof of Manatee address in your name (or form 71120)
  • Parent certification of 50 hours, in person or on form HSMV 71143
  • A rental vehicle affidavit if you test in a rental car

Upgrading with no changes costs $0 plus the $6.25 service fee; a road test re-take is $20. (Tax Collector)

After the test

New-driver curfews and points

Age 16

Drive alone from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Outside those hours, only to or from work or with a licensed driver 21+.

Age 17

Drive alone from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Same work or supervision exception.

Six points

Six or more points in 12 months restricts a teen’s license to business purposes only for a year.

Source: FLHSMV teen drivers.

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Questions

Teen driver license FAQ

How old do you have to be to get a learner’s permit in Florida?

15. You need to pass the Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course and the Class E knowledge exam, then pass vision and hearing tests at the office.

What is the DETS course?

Driver Education Traffic Safety. Since Aug. 1, 2025, the Manatee County Tax Collector lists it as required for a first learner license. It’s offered in person or online by third-party providers or through Driver’s Ed. Applicants 18 and older may take the TLSAE course instead.

Can I take the permit test online?

Yes, through a third-party provider or Driver’s Ed. In Manatee County, written exams at the Tax Collector are given only at the Driver License Branch, 904 301 Blvd W. People who pass online can be picked at random for a mandatory re-test.

Is the Florida permit test in English only?

Yes. The Tax Collector says that effective Feb. 6, 2026, all driver license exams are given in English only.

How much is a learner’s permit in Manatee County?

$48 for the learner license plus the $6.25 Tax Collector service fee. Each written exam re-take is $10. Debit cards add $2.75 and credit cards add 2.75% (minimum $2.75).

How many hours does a teen need before the road test?

50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night, certified by a parent, guardian or responsible adult 21 or older.

Where can I take the road test in Bradenton?

At the Tax Collector’s Driver License Branch or East Manatee Branch (appointment, Manatee County residents), through Driver’s Ed at school, or with a private third-party provider, which can test on weekends and after hours.

What are the driving curfews for 16- and 17-year-olds in Florida?

At 16, driving is allowed from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; at 17, from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. Outside those hours, teens can drive only to or from work or with a licensed driver 21 or older.

Official sources

Go straight to the source

Last updated October 21, 2026. Details change, and the offices above have the final word.