One of the duties of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles is to award and revoke driving licenses in the state. It is important to note that a road skills test is required for the full driver's license. In the state of Florida, you must be 18 years old or have had a Florida learner's permit for at least a year to apply for a driver's license.
You must bring your own vehicle in which to take the driver's test. It is important that the vehicle has current license plates and registration and you have insurance. The vehicle should not be missing important features such as headlights, turn signals or seat belts. It is wise to bring a vehicle with which you are comfortable. For example, if you are used to driving a car with an automatic transmission, do not take your Florida driver's test in a car with a manual transmission.
As stated above, if your vehicle has a manual transmission, then shifting gears smoothly will become a part of the road test. Apart from this, there are certain maneuvers that all drivers will be expected to perform. One of these is the three-point turn, or "K-turn." You will be expected to turn your car from going in one direction along a road to going the other, stopping only three times. For example, if you are driving north along a road, you should end up driving south on the same road, using only the 30-40 feet of road space to turn around.
You will also be expected to stay in the correct lane. This will generally be the right lane, unless you are on a one-way street. Your test route will invariably include a stop sign. Your instructor will note whether you come to a complete stop. If you intend to turn afterward, whether you used your turn signal will also be taken into account. Your instructor will note whether you turned on your turn signal 100 feet before where you intended to turn. Turning, of course, must be done from the correct lane.
As part of your Florida road test, you will be asked to come to a quick, safe, stop from a speed of 20 mph. You will also be asked to drive slowly backward for a distance of roughly 50 feet. During this time, your driver will note whether you turned your head during this time rather than relying on the rear-view mirror.
When you return to the parking lot, your instructor will make certain your car is centered in its parking space.
