New Florida Law Updates Permit Requirements for Teens
As of August 1, 2025, Florida teens seeking a learner's permit are required to take a new driver's education course called Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS).
This updated requirement, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, applies to teens ages 14 1/2 to 17. Previous steps teens needed to complete to earn a Florida permit included passing the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course, the Florida permit exam and a vision and hearing test.
While the new law officially took effect on July 1, Florida announced a one-month transition period where the state will accept both the TLSAE course and the new driver's ed program. As of August 1, the driver's ed course is required for all applicants under age 18, and the TLSAE course no longer satisfies permit requirements.
The new Driver Education Traffic Safety course replaces TLSAE for applicants under 18. It will be available as a self-paced online course or as a semester-long classroom program for students in grades nine to 12.
Teens must be at least 14 1/2 to take the DETS course and at least 15 to be eligible for their permit.
Can Teens Still Qualify for a Permit with a TLSAE Certificate?
Permit applicants under 18 who completed the TLSAE course before August 1 are eligible to use their certificate after August 1, when the driver's ed program becomes mandatory. Students must have completed the program by July 31 for the state to accept their certificate.
Where Can I Learn More About the New Course?
Our six-hour online DETS course educates students about:
- The meaning and responsibilities of a driver license
- Laws governing the operation of a motor vehicle
- Florida's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws
- Vehicle control and traffic procedures
- Sharing the road with other vehicles and vulnerable road users
- Defensive driving techniques
- Physical and mental factors that impact driving ability
- The effects of drugs and alcohol on driving ability
The classroom-based DETS course offered by high school driver's ed programs takes one semester to complete.
Is the TLSAE Course Going Away?
The new Driver Education Traffic Safety course did not entirely replace the TLSAE course. TLSAE is still required for drivers 18 and up, and court-ordered TLSAE training is mandatory after certain drug- or alcohol-related driving offenses.
FirstTimeDriver will continue to offer Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education in both English and Spanish.
What Are the Education Requirements for New Drivers Ages 18 and Up?
According to the new law, Florida driver license applicants ages 18 and up must complete the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course unless they have previously been licensed in another jurisdiction or have completed a Florida Department of Education driver education course.
However, the law update does not require applicants over age 18 to take the new Driver Education Traffic Safety course. After taking the TLSAE course (or providing proof of exemption), applicants can satisfy state requirements for a Class E license by passing the Knowledge Exam and Driving Skills Test.