Florida recently adopted a new requirement for teen drivers that has drawn national attention: all new drivers under age 18 must now log 50 supervised driving hours before they’re eligible for a driver’s license. With motor vehicle crashes remaining a leading cause of death for teens, many safety advocates are asking: Should more states implement this kind of rule?
The 50-hour teen driver rule is designed to give young drivers more experience behind the wheel before granting them full driving privileges. It’s a shift toward more structured and accountable training, and early signs suggest it may have positive safety outcomes.
Florida already had some requirements for young drivers, but safety officials noted gaps in how much hands-on training teens were actually getting. Inconsistent practice, minimal night driving, and a lack of experience in high-traffic areas left many teens underprepared for the responsibilities of the road.
The 50-hour rule aims to address that. Now, teen drivers must provide a log of at least 50 hours of supervised practice driving, including at least 10 hours at night, signed off by a parent or legal guardian. These hours must be completed while holding a learner’s permit before taking the licensing test.
According to the CDC, teen drivers are three times more likely than older drivers to be in a fatal crash. Inexperience, distractions, risk-taking, and peer pressure all contribute to this elevated risk.
Night driving is particularly dangerous for teens due to reduced visibility and increased likelihood of encountering impaired or drowsy drivers. That’s why most state-level training rules now require specific night driving hours as part of the permit phase.
The new rule places much of the responsibility on parents and guardians, who must oversee the practice hours and sign a certification form.
This isn’t just about box-checking. Experts agree that parents are among the most influential people in shaping their child’s driving habits. When parents are active participants, the results are generally safer, more cautious teen drivers.
Several states already have similar rules. For example:
But many states still fall below that benchmark or have vague tracking systems. Florida’s more uniform standard could set a precedent for states considering reform, especially if crash rates drop in the coming years.
Lawmakers in states like Texas, Georgia, and Arizona have shown growing interest in strengthening their graduated driver licensing (GDL) systems. Florida’s updated law could serve as a real-time case study.
According to Attorney Stephen Bridger from Phoenix, Arizona, “The more opportunities teens have to practice under adult supervision, the more likely they are to make good decisions behind the wheel when it matters most. Parents have a huge part to play in making our roads safer.”
Stephen Bridger is a lawyer based in Phoenix, currently employed at the Pinal County Prosecutor’s Office. As a state prosecutor, he works on behalf of the state to hold criminal drivers accountable and promote public safety. He does not offer legal advice or represent individual clients.
