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1. Driving is Your Responsibility
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License to Drive – a Privilege
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WHAT YOUR DRIVER LICENSE MEANS TO YOU

Before getting behind the wheel, you should know that driving is not a constitutional right—it’s a privilege. To earn your license, you must pass a series of tests and obey the law. Driving privileges depend on your age and status, including your knowledge and ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. Your local DHSMV (Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles) office will assess your abilities as a driver before issuing you a license. All Florida residents must have a drivers license to operate a vehicle on a public highway or in a parking facility.
It is important to take the privilege of driving seriously. It is your responsibility to know all
Florida driving laws and any changes to the law that may be enacted.

When you are issued a drivers license, you are also issued a number of responsibilities.
You must continually demonstrate your ability to drive safely on roads—when you fail to do so, you may be issued traffic tickets. If your tickets start to add up, your license could be suspended or revoked.

A lot is expected of you as a licensed driver. You must drive safely, obey traffic laws, and respect the rights of other drivers. Concentrating on your own driving is important, but be aware of other vehicles around you. Passengers in your car and other drivers on the road expect you to drive safely. TOPIC:
License to Drive – a Privilege
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WHAT YOUR LICENSE MEANS TO OTHERS Remember: you are never alone on the road. Other drivers and pedestrians are always present. You must respect their rights and be courteous at all times. You earned a license because you have developed the knowledge and skills to interact lawfully and safely with others in any road situation. Make good use of these skills.

Other drivers and pedestrians expect you to be sober and attentive. Their safety depends on your actions. You are responsible for giving proper signals when you are planning to change lanes, stop, or turn. Taking care of your car so that it is always in good working condition is another way of being courteous on the road.
It’s not a good idea to surprise anybody on a road with your actions. You are expected to be a reasonable and reliable team player. If you cannot accept the rules of the road,
DO NOT start driving at all. You should also be aware that if you are a minor, your parents (or guardians) are responsible for the financial consequences of any property damage, injuries, or deaths you cause while driving. Your parents literally pay for your mistakes, so you have a special responsibility to drive safely for them. It’s fun to have passengers in your car, but they can also be a distraction for new drivers. Always remember that your passengers put their safety in your hands—they’re trusting in your ability, so it is very important to appreciate the value of their trust and drive safely. Keep focused and don’t show off. TOPIC:
Operating a Motor Vehicle Is a Serious Responsibility
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A MOTOR VEHICLE IS A WEAPON
If you think driving is as easy as playing a video game, you couldn’t be more wrong. A motor vehicle is a powerful machine that requires knowledge and skillful handling.
Your mistakes can have painful consequences for you and others. On the road, you cannot escape the consequences of irresponsible behavior by pressing the power button. A motor vehicle, like a weapon, is capable of causing extensive property damage, injury, or even death. Always handle your car with the utmost caution.
Being in control of your vehicle requires you to be familiar with how it works and its limitations. Regular maintenance for safe driving is also required. TOPIC:
Operating a Motor Vehicle Is a Serious Responsibility
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PARKING RESPONSIBILITY

Driving safely also includes how and where to park your car. In particular, you must ensure your parked vehicle does not roll away on a hill, into the roadway, and does not impede traffic or pedestrians in any way.
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Obey the Literal Interpretation of Everyday Laws
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WHY STOP COMPLETELY AT STOP SIGN? “Why should I stop at a stop sign if the intersection is clear and there are no other cars or pedestrians close by?” The answer is: you simply must.
When you drive, there are always a number of elements to consider—some you are unaware of until the last moment. You must obey the law every time you are behind the wheel. Failure to do so means serious trouble. When you see a stop sign, you must come to a COMPLETE STOP behind the stop line, crosswalk, or at the corner. Intersections are extremely dangerous places. Most deadly collisions occur at intersections, so your decision to stop completely is literally a matter of life and death. By simply obeying the law and stopping completely every time, you can make intersections safer. TOPIC:
Obey the Literal Interpretation of Everyday Laws
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WHAT DOES YIELD REALLY MEAN?
A yield sign assigns the right­of­way to certain road users. If you see a yield sign, be prepared to let other drivers crossing your path have the right­of­way. And don’t forget about bicycles and pedestrians! You may need to stop completely, but a yield sign doesn’t require a driver to come to a complete stop in every situation. As long as you let other drivers, pedestrians, and bicycles have the right­of­way before you proceed, you are complying with the yield law. Always be careful and respect the right­of­way given to other traffic by the law. It is a simple way to avoid collisions and their consequences. TOPIC:
Common Courtesy Is a Key to Safety
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THE ROADWAY IS SHARED BY MANY
When driving, you are always surrounded by other road users. They are present even when out of your view, concealed by your car’s blind spots or other obstacles. Be ready to share the road.
Traffic laws require you to be courteous to other road users. Courtesy improves driver interaction and keeps traffic moving.

The laws will not cover every situation you may encounter on the road. So watch, learn, and be prepared.
You can’t read the thoughts of drivers who suddenly stop and block your way. Don’t get angry. It’s never a good idea to start signaling or make offensive gestures. Stop if you can do so safely or find an escape route to avoid a collision.
Think before you act. How would you feel if you were safely maneuvering—and at the same time angered another driver who didn’t realize your move was necessary? TOPIC:
Common Courtesy Is a Key to Safety
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COURTESY MAKES ORDER OUT OF CHAOS
Imagine if each driver followed an individual set of rules, driving without regard for the existence and movement of other road users. The roads would be chaos.
All drivers must follow the traffic laws, but even that is not enough. With courtesy, you can safely share the road with all users. Courtesy makes order out of chaos. TOPIC:
Common Courtesy Is a Key to Safety
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TREAT OTHER DRIVERS THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED
What if another driver violates the law and ignores your legal right­of­way? Should you teach them a lesson by following the car or swerving in their path? No! Let it go and consider it an investment in your future. You just may save a life. Also, are you sure that you have the right­of­way? Stop and think; maybe the other driver was right. TOPIC:
The Importance of Driver Education
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THE IMPORTANCE OF DRIVER EDUCATION
You can't just get in a car and start driving. Even if you knew how to operate the vehicle, there are rules and regulations that are critical for you to know before you get behind the wheel. If you have never been licensed, you are required by law to complete a traffic law and substance abuse education course before you apply for a license. Teenagers aren't the only people who take drivers ed. There are programs available to individuals over 18 years old or to those who simply want to brush up on driving laws and their driving skills.

The purpose of drivers education is to give you the knowledge, skills, and attitude needed to be a safe driver and pedestrian. By using the skills you learned in drivers ed, you lower your chances of being involved in costly, dangerous, and potentially deadly collisions. Your participation in drivers education also reduces law enforcement and property replacement costs and creates a more pleasant driving environment.