The Florida Senate

It is the intent of the Legislature that every applicant for an original driver’s license in this state be required to pass an examination pursuant to this section. However, the department may waive the knowledge, endorsement, and skills tests for an applicant who is otherwise qualified and who surrenders a valid driver’s license from another state or a province of Canada, or a valid driver’s license issued by the United States Armed Forces, if the driver applies for a Florida license of an equal or lesser classification. Any applicant who fails to pass the initial knowledge test incurs a $10 fee for each subsequent test, to be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund. Any applicant who fails to pass the initial skills test incurs a $20 fee for each subsequent test, to be deposited into the Highway Safety Operating Trust Fund. A person who seeks to retain a hazardous-materials endorsement, pursuant to s. 322.57(1)(d), must pass the hazardous-materials test, upon surrendering his or her commercial driver’s license, if the person has not taken and passed the hazardous-materials test within 2 years before applying for a commercial driver’s license in this state.

The department shall examine every applicant for a driver’s license, including an applicant who is licensed in another state or country, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. A person who holds a learner’s driver’s license as provided for in s. 322.1615 is not required to pay a fee for successfully completing the examination showing his or her ability to operate a motor vehicle as provided for herein and need not pay the fee for a replacement license as provided in s. 322.17(2).

For an applicant for a Class E driver’s license, such examination shall include a test of the applicant’s eyesight given by the driver’s license examiner designated by the department or by a licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician and a test of the applicant’s hearing given by a driver’s license examiner or a licensed physician. The examination shall also include a test of the applicant’s ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic; his or her knowledge of the traffic laws of this state, including laws regulating driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, driving with an unlawful blood-alcohol level, and driving while intoxicated; and his or her knowledge of the effects of alcohol and controlled substances upon persons and the dangers of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances and shall include an actual demonstration of ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the operation of a motor vehicle.

The examination for an applicant for a commercial driver’s license shall include a test of the applicant’s eyesight given by a driver’s license examiner designated by the department or by a licensed ophthalmologist, optometrist, or physician and a test of the applicant’s hearing given by a driver’s license examiner or a licensed physician. The examination shall also include a test of the applicant’s ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic; his or her knowledge of the traffic laws of this state pertaining to the class of motor vehicle which he or she is applying to be licensed to operate, including laws regulating driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, driving with an unlawful blood-alcohol level, and driving while intoxicated; his or her knowledge of the effects of alcohol and controlled substances and the dangers of driving a motor vehicle after having consumed alcohol or controlled substances; and his or her knowledge of any special skills, requirements, or precautions necessary for the safe operation of the class of vehicle which he or she is applying to be licensed to operate. In addition, the examination shall include an actual demonstration of the applicant’s ability to exercise ordinary and reasonable control in the safe operation of a motor vehicle or combination of vehicles of the type covered by the license classification which the applicant is seeking, including an examination of the applicant’s ability to perform an inspection of his or her vehicle.