Florida Parental Consent Form HSMV 71142: How to Sign It

Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte

The Florida parental consent form is HSMV 71142, and an unmarried teen under 18 needs it to get a learner’s permit or driver license. One parent or legal guardian signs it in front of a driver license examiner, or before a notary if they can’t come to the office. By signing, the adult accepts legal responsibility for the teen’s driving.

Key Facts

Who needs it: Unmarried applicants under 18. See who needs it.
Who signs: One parent or legal guardian. A step-parent only after adopting the teen. See who can sign.
How to sign: Before an examiner at the office, or before a notary ahead of time. See how to sign.
What it means: The signer can be held liable for damages from the teen’s driving. See what you agree to.
Withdrawing: A sworn written request to FLHSMV cancels the teen’s license. See how to withdraw.

What HSMV 71142 Is

HSMV 71142 is FLHSMV’s “Parental Consent for a Driver Application of a Minor.” It’s a one-page form you can download from FLHSMV as HSMV 71142.

The form puts into practice a Florida law, F.S. 322.09. That law says the application of anyone under 18 must be signed by a parent or guardian before a person authorized to give oaths.

People search for it as the Florida parental consent form for a drivers license, the minor consent form or the parent signature form. They all mean the same document.

What’s on the Form

HSMV 71142 is short. It has only a few blanks, so most of the work is getting the signature witnessed the right way.

The teen’s full name: first, middle and last
The teen’s date of birth
The parent’s or guardian’s printed name and signature
A notary block: county, date, the signer’s name, the ID shown to the notary and the notary’s or examiner’s signature

The consent line reads, in part, that the signer consents that the minor “be granted a Florida driver license.” The form has no blank for a driver license number, address or phone number.

Fill in the teen’s name exactly as it appears on their birth certificate or passport. A name that doesn’t match the identity document can slow the visit.

FLHSMV’s Required Forms for Teens page lists HSMV 71142 as required for a minor to get a learner’s license. F.S. 322.09 applies to any license application from someone under 18.

Teens 15 to 17 getting a learner’s permit: Yes, they need it.
Married teens: The form says it is not required if the applicant is married. F.S. 322.09 also doesn’t apply to a minor emancipated by marriage.
Adults 18 and older: No consent form is needed.

The form is usually handed in once, at the learner’s permit visit. Ask your county office whether they need a new one when the teen moves up to a Class E license.

Who Can Sign HSMV 71142

The form says one parent or legal guardian must sign. Florida law adds options for teens in foster care.

Person	Can sign?	Source
Parent	Yes	HSMV 71142
Legal guardian	Yes	HSMV 71142
Step-parent who has not adopted the teen	No	FLHSMV forms page
Step-parent who legally adopted the teen	Yes, as a parent	FLHSMV forms page
Grandparent without legal custody	No	Lee County Tax Collector
Foster caregiver, group home representative, caseworker or authorized guardian ad litem	Yes, for a learner’s license	F.S. 322.09(4)

The Lee County Tax Collector puts it simply: step-parents and grandparents can’t sign unless they have legal custody. If a relative has guardianship, bring the court papers that show it.

F.S. 322.09 also says that when there is no parent or guardian, another responsible adult who is willing to take on the obligation may sign. Ask your county office what proof they want in that case.

Teens in Foster Care

For a teen in out-of-home care, F.S. 322.09(4) lets the caregiver sign for a learner’s license. A group home representative, the teen’s caseworker or a guardian ad litem authorized by the caregiver may also sign.

These signers do not take on liability for the teen’s driving. Before a caseworker, group home representative or guardian ad litem signs, they must notify the caregiver.

F.S. 322.09(5) adds one more option for older teens in care. A caseworker may sign a driver license application under a court-approved transition plan, after notifying the foster parent, and also takes on no liability.

Divorced, Separated or Out-of-Town Parents

The form needs only one parent or legal guardian. Either parent can sign, and the other parent’s signature isn’t required.

If the parent who will sign lives far away, they can sign before a notary where they are and mail the form to the teen. Ask your county office whether they accept a notary from outside Florida before you rely on it.

F.S. 322.09 also covers a guardian who dies before the teen turns 18. In that case, a secondary guardian may sign.

How to Sign the Form

The form itself says all signatures must be notarized or witnessed by an examiner. That gives you two ways to do it.

At the office. The parent comes to the permit visit and signs in front of the driver license examiner.
Before a notary. If the parent can’t come, they sign before a notary before the visit. The teen brings the notarized form.

A form signed at home without a notary won’t be accepted. Don’t sign it ahead of time unless a notary is watching.

If the teen took the knowledge exam online, there’s a second parent form, HSMV 71144, the online test proctoring form. It follows the same rule: sign before an examiner, or notarize it if the parent won’t be at the office.

How to sign Florida parental consent form HSMV 71142 at the office or before a notary

What the Signer Agrees To

This is the part many parents skim, and it matters most. HSMV 71142 says the signer agrees the minor will take on the obligations in F.S. 322.09.

Under F.S. 322.09(2), any negligence or willful misconduct of the minor while driving is imputed to the person who signed. That person is jointly and severally liable with the minor for damages.

In plain words, if your teen causes a crash, the person who signed can be held legally responsible for the damages along with the teen. Talk with your auto insurance agent about adding a teen driver before the permit visit. This article is not legal advice, so ask a Florida attorney if you have questions about liability.

Consent isn’t permanent. The form says it lasts “unless and until” the signer notifies FLHSMV in writing to withdraw it.

F.S. 322.10 explains what happens next:

The signer files a verified (sworn) written request with FLHSMV to cancel the minor’s license.
FLHSMV must cancel the license.
After cancellation, the signer is released from liability for the minor’s later driving.

FLHSMV’s forms page lists where to send a withdrawal letter. Withdrawing consent ends the teen’s driving privilege, so it’s a serious step. Talk it through as a family before you send the letter.

Three Florida Teen Forms Compared

Parents often mix up the three teen forms on FLHSMV’s forms page. Each has a different job and a different time to use it.

	HSMV 71142	HSMV 71144	HSMV 71143
Name	Parental Consent	Parent/Guardian On-line Test Proctoring Form	Certification of Driving Experience of a Minor
When it’s used	Learner’s permit visit	Permit visit, only if the knowledge exam was taken online	Class E license, after the permit year
What it does	Gives consent and accepts liability	Confirms the parent proctored the online test	Certifies 50 hours of driving, 10 at night
Who signs	Parent or legal guardian	Parent or guardian	Parent, guardian or responsible adult 21+
Witness	Examiner or notary	Examiner or notary	Examiner or notary

All three can be signed at the office in front of an examiner. If the signer won’t be there, each one must be notarized first. Our 50-hour driving guide covers HSMV 71143.

Finding a Notary

A notary checks the signer’s ID and watches them sign. The notary block on HSMV 71142 has a line for the type of ID shown, so the parent should bring a photo ID.

Notaries are easy to find at many banks and shipping stores. Call ahead to confirm a notary is available, and don’t sign the form until you are in front of them.

Where the Form Fits in the Permit Process

HSMV 71142 is one item in the permit visit. The teen also needs DETS, the knowledge exam, vision and hearing tests and documents.

For the full order of steps, see our guide on how to get a Florida learner’s permit. For the document list, see our learner’s permit documents guide.

What Happens After the Permit Visit

Once the permit is issued, the signer’s role continues. The consent stays in effect until it’s withdrawn, and the signer’s liability stays with it.

The next form comes about a year later. Before the teen’s Class E license, a parent, guardian or responsible adult 21+ signs HSMV 71143 to certify 50 hours of driving. The Lee County Tax Collector says an adult 21+ must attend a teen’s road test, or the teen brings HSMV 71143 already notarized.

Mistakes With HSMV 71142

Each of these comes from the form or Florida law. Any one can stop a permit visit.

Signing at home without a notary. The signature must be notarized or witnessed by an examiner.
Sending a step-parent or grandparent. They can’t sign without adoption or legal custody.
Forgetting HSMV 71144. An online test needs the proctoring form too.
Using an old or third-party copy. Download the current form from FLHSMV.
Not reading the liability terms. The signer can be liable for damages from the teen’s driving.

What a parent agrees to when signing Florida form HSMV 71142

How Requirements Can Vary

Florida’s course and license rules apply statewide, but some details depend on where you live. Driver license services are often handled by your county tax collector’s office, and each office sets its own appointment process and hours. Some county school boards also offer driver education programs, such as DELAP courses, that can count instead of DETS.

FLHSMV can update course rules, forms, documents, and fees. Check FLHSMV and your county office for current requirements before your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HSMV 71142?

It is FLHSMV’s Parental Consent for a Driver Application of a Minor. An unmarried teen under 18 needs it to get a learner’s permit.

Where do I get the Florida parental consent form?

Download it from flhsmv.gov as HSMV 71142. Many county tax collector offices also link to it.

Does the parental consent form need to be notarized?

Only if the parent won’t sign at the office. Otherwise, the parent signs in front of the driver license examiner.

Can a step-parent sign HSMV 71142?

Only if they have legally adopted the teen. A step-parent without adoption can’t sign.

Can a grandparent sign the parental consent form?

Only with legal custody or guardianship. Bring the court papers that show it.

Is the parent liable for the teen’s driving?

Yes. Under F.S. 322.09, the signer is jointly and severally liable with the teen for damages from the teen’s negligent or willful driving.

Yes. A sworn written request to FLHSMV cancels the teen’s license and releases the signer from liability for later driving.

Do both parents have to sign HSMV 71142?

No. The form says one parent or legal guardian must sign.

Conclusion

The Florida parental consent form, HSMV 71142, is required for unmarried teens under 18 and must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Sign it in front of an examiner or a notary, and read the liability terms before you sign. If the teen tested online, bring HSMV 71144 too. Our online Florida DETS course is coming soon.

Sources

Billy Forte is the owner of Driving Logic, a state-approved driver improvement course provider serving Florida and other U.S. states.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Florida licensing requirements, course rules, documents, and fees are set by FLHSMV and Florida law and can change. Use official FLHSMV and Florida statute sources for current requirements before you enroll in a course or visit a driver license office.