SUMMARY: Florida Driver Handbook
Driving handbooks and DMV manuals are available to help you learn about Florida traffic laws, safe driving practices, and operating special vehicles. Available driving manuals include the FL driver's handbook, commercial driving manual, motorcycle handbook, and vehicle code.
Below, you'll find information about the basic driving manual in Florida as well as DMV handbooks for special driver's licenses, such as motorcycle licenses and commercial driver's licenses (CDLs).
How to Get the Florida Driver Handbook
Florida Practice Tests at Driver’s Prep. We take driver license and permit practice test questions from a pool of more than 1,000 questions. They will cover all aspects of the Florida driver handbook. The large number of questions helps you pass the exam – guaranteed!
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) offers training materials like the driver's manual to help you get a FL driver's license.
Browse the Florida Driver's Handbook (REV 2018) online in either English or Spanish, or visit your local FL DHSMV office to obtain a hard copy.
What's in the FL Drivers Manual?
The DMV handbook for drivers contains information to help you learn the rules and practices to safely operate a motor vehicle. You'll find topics such as:
- Driving skills, including rules of the road, parking, and speed limits.
- Traffic signals, road signs, and pavement markings.
- Vehicle equipment requirements.
The Florida driving manual also explains the processes and rules for driver's licenses. From the handbook, you'll learn about things like:
- How to apply for a Florida driver's license.
- DMV point system.
- Driver's license suspensions.
- Insurance and accident reporting laws.
- How to obtain your FL driving record.
Read below about using the Florida DMV handbook to prepare for your written driver's license test.
Studying the Florida Driving Manual
The FL driver's manual is the basis for the written knowledge test you'll take to get your learner's permit or driver's license.
Test questions will ask you about Florida road rules and regulations as well as driver's license regulations and other topics found in the driver's handbook.
Reading and studying the driver's manual is a good way to start preparing for your written test. You can also test your knowledge using the sample questions in the DMV manual.
Don't Forget an Online Practice Test!A perfect complement to studying the FL Driver's Handbook is preparing for the written exam with the help of an online practice test. These comprehensive study guides have been created to help you pass the test on your first attempt. Our certified partner offers practice tests for most types of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles in Florida.
Motorcycle Handbook in FL
If you're looking to get a motorcycle license, the Florida Motorcycle Handbook (HSMV 71905) is available in both English and Spanish.
The FL DHSMV handbook for motorcycles discusses how to operate motorcycles safely, covering topics such as:
- Motorcycle laws and licensing procedures in Florida.
- Helmet and eyewear regulations.
- Choosing the right motorcycle gear.
- Riding skills, including carrying passengers.
- The Florida Rider Training Program (FRTP).
- Knowledge and road skills tests.
Studying the DMV Manual for Motorcycles
The written knowledge test you'll take for your Florida motorcycle license is based on the information in the DMV handbook. It also explains the requirements of the road skills test that you'll take on your motorcycle.
You can study the DMV manual and take online practice tests to prepare for your written exam.
Visit our Motorcycle License in Florida page to learn more about how to apply for a license.
Commercial Driving Manual
The FL DHSMV provides the Florida Commercial Driver Handbook (HSMV 71906) for commercial drivers, also available in Spanish.
The DMV handbook for commercial drivers in Florida covers both driving rules and licensing processes to give you a complete picture of what it means to operate a commercial vehicle.
Topics in the Commercial Driver's Manual
In the Florida commercial driving manual, you'll find instructions for operating commercial vehicles, such as:
- Pre-trip inspection test, including special rules for specific vehicles.
- Safe driving rules (e.g., shifting gears, vehicle inspection, controlling speed, driving at night, driving emergencies).
- Air brakes (e.g., parts, inspection, use of brakes).
You'll also learn about transporting special items. The Florida CDL driver's handbook covers:
- Cargo transportation safety (securing cargo, weights and balancing, and inspections).
- Passenger transportation safety, including loading, prohibited actions, and use of brake-door interlocks.
- Hazardous materials (loading, unloading, and emergencies).
Finally, the FL commercial driver's manual explains the rules and regulations of commercial licenses, including:
- An introduction to commercial driver's licenses (CDLs), including disqualifications and required tests.
- Information about the on-road driving test, including how the test is scored.
Preparing for CDL Tests with the DMV Manual
The DMV handbook for commercial drivers is the basis of the written test you'll take to get your CDL in Florida. To prepare for the test, you can study the driving manual and take practice tests.
The DMV manual also has information about the driving test you'll need to pass to get your CDL. You can read about the maneuvers you'll be required to make during the test and other expectations of the CDL road test.
Be sure to check the Florida commercial driver's handbook for other CDL requirements and qualifications, including your physical health and driving record.
To learn more about getting a CDL in Florida, please visit our Applying for a CDL page.
Access the Florida Vehicle Code
The Florida Vehicle Code covers topics ranging from driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, and titles, to accident procedures and FL traffic laws.
The Vehicle Code is helpful for researching specific Florida laws and regulations because it offers more details about traffic laws than the Florida driver's handbook. This can be particularly helpful if you're fighting a traffic ticket.
However, if you're a new driver or new to Florida, start with a driver's handbook or DMV manual to learn general driving principles and as a Florida road rules and regulations guide.
Choose Your State
Each state has a number of DMV handbooks and driver's manuals to help you become a safer driver. Common driving manuals include those for a standard driver's license, commercial driver's license (CDL), and motorcycle license. Some states may also offer additional resources, including driver's handbooks for teen drivers. Every state also has a Vehicle Code, which includes information about laws related to motor vehicles and traffic laws.
Choose your state above for your state's driver's handbooks and DMV manuals.Driver's Manuals
Obtaining a copy of your state's driver's manual is easy. Most are available online for your convenience, or you may be able to pick up a hard copy of a DMV handbook at your local DMV office.
Driving manuals cover a variety of driving topics, including:
- Rules of the road in your state.
- Safety tips.
- Reading traffic signs and signals.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (DUI, DWI, OWI, etc.).
Your state's driving manual will most likely cover additional topics such as:
- Driver's license application procedures.
- Handling emergency situations.
- Changing your name or address.
- Non-resident driving issues.
Reading the driver's handbook benefits both new and experienced drivers. If you're a new driver, learning the information in the DMV handbook will help you pass your written and skills exams, and if you're an experienced driver, the DMV manual can be a helpful reminder of safe driving skills.
If you've just moved to a new state, the driver's manual can also help you learn the traffic laws of that state, which could differ from those in your home state.
Don't Forget an Online Practice Test!Although studying the DMV handbook is a good way to prepare for the written exam, we have a more effective option. Prepare for the test with an online practice test from our approved partner. You'll learn the material in the driving manual and feel confident that you're ready for the test. It's like having the answers when you walk through the door at the DMV.
Commercial Driver's Manuals
If you're applying for a commercial driver's license (CDL) in your state, you'll need to take the time to read your state's commercial driving manual. Topics include:
- How to apply for a CDL in your state.
- Towing trailers (including doubles and triples).
- Combination vehicles.
- How to transport hazardous materials.
- Air brakes.
- Required pre-trip inspections.
- Carrying passengers and cargo safely.
Reading your state's DMV handbook for CDLs will help you pass both the written and road tests required to obtain your CDL.
Motorcycle Handbooks
If you're applying for your motorcycle license, your DMV office also has a driver's manual for you. In some cases, the motorcycle manual may be part of the driver's handbook.
The motorcycle driving manual covers various topics, including:
- Preparing to ride your motorcycle.
- Applying for your motorcycle license.
- Choosing the right gear.
- Changing lanes safely.
- Passing other vehicles and being passed.
- Riding in groups safely.
Each state may have different motorcycle laws, including those related to safety equipment, so it's important you read the DMV handbook prior to taking your motorcycle out for a spin.
The written test you'll take is based on your state's motorcycle driving manual, so you'll also need to read it to prepare for your motorcycle license test.
NOTE: Most motorcycle drivers manuals cover only motorcycle operation and safety. If you're new to a state or getting your first license, you should also read and study the state's DMV handbook for non-commercial or passenger vehicles to prepare for your driver's license test.
Test Driving Practice Haitian Creole
Vehicle Code
Driver License Handbook Florida Creole School
If you want more information than what the driver's handbook has to offer about state laws concerning traffic violations, safety requirements, and vehicles, take a look at your state's Vehicle Code.
You'll find the actual laws regarding:
- Vehicle titling and registrations.
- Traffic laws, violations, and penalties.
- Pedestrians.
- Driver's licensing.
- Vehicle dealer licensing.
- Vehicle equipment (including safety equipment).
- Accident procedures.
The laws in the Vehicle Code offer more detail than most driving manuals.