Can You Be Too Young or Too Old to Drive in Florida? Let’s Talk About the Law and Real Life

Some questions come up again and again in my line of work. One of them? “Can someone be too old to drive?”

The other? “What’s the youngest age you can legally get behind the wheel here in Florida?”

Honestly, I hear both — often after a crash. A teen who ran a light. A grandparent who pulled out a little too slowly. When something happens, people want to know: is there an age where someone shouldn’t be driving?

Let’s take a look at what the law says here in Florida. Then I’ll walk you through what it means in the real world — and why this matters if you or someone you love is dealing with a car accident.

Starting Young: Teens and Learner’s Permits

If your child is 15 and itching to drive, that’s when things start.

At that age, they can apply for a learner’s permit — assuming they’ve done a few things first:

• Passed a course that covers traffic laws and the dangers of drugs and alcohol.
• Taken a basic vision and hearing test.
• Got a parent or guardian to sign off.

Once they have that learner’s permit? They’re allowed to drive, but only with an adult who’s at least 21 in the front seat. Also, they can’t just cruise around whenever they want. The first three months, it’s daylight only. After that, they can stay out a bit later — but not too late.

By 16, they can apply for a regular license. But that’s only if:

• They’ve had their permit for a full year.
• They haven’t gotten into any trouble behind the wheel.
• And they’ve logged 50 hours of driving time (10 of those at night).

Even with a license at 16 or 17, there are still curfews. It’s not full freedom yet — the idea is to ease them into driving, not throw them into rush hour traffic and hope for the best.

I’ve worked with families who were devastated after a teen made a split-second mistake behind the wheel. These rules aren’t random — they’re designed to save lives.

On the Other End: Seniors Behind the Wheel

Now, let’s flip to the other side of the age spectrum.

In Florida, there’s no official age cutoff for driving. You could be 90 and still legally drive, as long as you meet the renewal requirements. But once someone turns 80, the state does start checking in a bit more.

Here’s how it changes:

• Drivers over 79 have to renew their license more frequently — every six years instead of eight.
• A vision test becomes part of the renewal process.

That test doesn’t have to be taken at the DMV. You can go to your eye doctor instead. And if you pass? You keep your license. If the test picks up an issue, the state might ask for more documentation or recommend restrictions — like no night driving or requiring glasses.

Doctors and optometrists can fill out forms saying a person is still safe to drive. But they can also flag concerns. I’ve seen cases where a doctor said, “They’re okay to drive only if they stay in familiar areas,” or “Only during daylight.”

And sometimes, the doctor recommends they stop driving altogether.

This isn’t about punishing seniors. Most older drivers I’ve met want to keep their independence — and many of them are still incredibly sharp. But if vision, reaction time, or memory start to decline, it becomes a safety issue. Not just for them, but for everyone else on the road too.

When Driving Isn’t Just About Age

Let me be clear: just being older doesn’t mean someone is unsafe. I’ve had clients in their 80s who were more careful and aware than drivers half their age.

The real concern? Health.

Conditions like dementia, glaucoma, or side effects from medication — these are the things that really affect driving ability. And sometimes, the person behind the wheel doesn’t realize how much they’ve changed.

That’s why Florida allows anyone — not just doctors — to raise concerns. If a neighbor, family member, or even a friend sees someone driving dangerously and suspects a medical issue, they can file a confidential report with the state. It’s called a Medical Referral Form.

Once that form is submitted, the state can investigate. They might talk to the person’s doctor, ask for tests, or even require the driver to retake their driving exam.

It’s not about embarrassing anyone. It’s about preventing tragedy.

What It Means for Car Accident Cases

Let’s say you’re involved in an accident, and the other driver is very young — or very old. Does that change anything legally?

Not automatically.

Age by itself doesn’t prove fault. But there are times when age-related issues become relevant:

• A teen out past their legal driving curfew.
• A senior who was supposed to avoid night driving but was out after dark.
• Someone driving with poor vision who shouldn’t have had a license renewed.

In those situations, yes — those details matter. I’ve handled cases where a driver’s medical history or license restrictions came into play. It can affect how the insurance company sees the claim. It might also change how a jury views the case, if it goes to trial.

So if you were injured and suspect something like that played a role, it’s important to speak up.

What To Do If You’re Worried About a Loved One’s Driving

This part is tough.

Maybe your parent is starting to miss turns. Maybe they’re bumping curbs or forgetting how to get to places they’ve driven to for years. Maybe they got lost on a short trip to the grocery store.

These are hard signs to ignore — but even harder to bring up.

If you’re seeing these things, don’t wait. Have a conversation. Ask their doctor to talk to them. Or if you have to, submit the medical referral form to the state yourself. I know it feels like betraying someone you love, but think of it this way: you could be preventing them from getting hurt. Or hurting someone else.

Final Thoughts

Florida driving laws are set up to give people the chance to stay on the road — no matter their age — as long as they can do it safely.
That’s the key.

Whether it’s a teenager learning the rules or a grandparent holding on to their freedom, the same principle applies: if you can drive safely, you should be allowed to. If not, it’s time to have that talk.

If you or someone close to you was in a crash involving a young or elderly driver — and you think something like inexperience, vision problems, or cognitive decline played a role — let’s talk. You may have a case. And even if you don’t, I’ll make sure you leave the call knowing exactly what your rights are.

Call me, Jaime “Mr. 786 Abogado” Suarez, anytime at (305) 631-1911 or visit www.suarezandmontero.com. I’ve seen both sides of this issue — and I’m here to help.