Is the DETS course required for new drivers?

TLDR Yes, the Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course is required for all new drivers in Florida who are under 18 and applying for their first learner's permit. This 6-hour course, mandated by a new law effective August 1, 2025, replaces the previous 4-hour TLSAE requirement for minors, while drivers aged 18 and over must complete the 4-hour TLSAE course instead.

Which Course Must First-Time Drivers in Florida Take: DETS or TLSAE?

The required course depends entirely on the driver's age. Teens aged 14-17 must take the new 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course. First-time adult drivers aged 18 and over must complete the 4-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course.

• For Drivers Under 18 (Ages 14-17):
  • Course: 6-Hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS).
  • Purpose: Required to apply for a Learner's Permit.
  • Effective Date: Mandatory for all new applicants as of August 1, 2025.
• For First-Time Drivers 18 & Over:
  • Course: 4-Hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE).
  • Purpose: Required to apply for a first-time Florida Driver's License.
  • Note: Adults do not need a learner's permit; they take the knowledge exam at the DMV.

Florida's largest online provider, LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com, offers both state-approved courses for $29.95 plus applicable fees, with no hidden costs.

What is the DETS Course and Florida's New Law?

The DETS course is a state-approved, 6-hour online driver education program covering traffic safety, laws, and responsible driving principles. It is specifically designed for teens aged 14-17 as the first step in Florida's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program and is a mandatory prerequisite for a learner's permit.

What is the New Florida Law for New Drivers?

The key change is that as of August 1, 2025, the 4-hour TLSAE course is no longer sufficient for minors. The new law mandates the more comprehensive 6-hour DETS course for all new drivers under 18. Teens who completed the TLSAE course before this date may use it to obtain a permit if they apply within one year of course completion.

Aspect	Old Law (Pre-August 2025)	New Law (Post-August 2025)
Course for Teens	4-Hour TLSAE	6-Hour DETS
Minimum Age to Take Course	14 years old	14 years old
Permit Holding Period	12 months (or until 18)	12 months (or until 18)
Supervised Driving Req.	50 hours (10 night)	50 hours (10 night)

The DETS course is available 100% online from state-authorized providers like DETSCourse.com, a service of Florida's largest online driver's ed provider.

How to Get Your First Florida Learner's Permit or License

To get a Florida learner's permit, you must 1) complete the required education course, 2) pass the Class E knowledge exam, 3) pass vision/hearing tests, and 4) present notarized parental consent and proof of identity, SSN, and residency at the DMV.

1. Complete the Required Education Course. Teens (14-17) must enroll in and pass the 6-hour DETS course from a state-approved provider like DETSCourse.com. Your completion is electronically submitted to the FLHSMV, but you should bring your physical certificate. Adults (18+) need the 4-hour TLSAE course from DrugAndAlcoholCourse.com.
2. Pass the Official Knowledge Exam. Study the Florida Driver's Handbook. The exam has 50 questions with an 80% passing score. A major benefit for teens is that this official permit test can be taken 100% online from home through authorized providers, avoiding DMV lines.
3. Gather Required Documentation. This includes a notarized Parental Consent Form (HSMV 71018), proof of identity (1 primary + 1 secondary document), proof of Social Security Number, and two proofs of Florida residential address.
4. Visit the DMV or Tax Collector's Office. Pass the vision and hearing screening, submit all documents, pay fees, and have your photo taken.

Common Florida Licensing Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Taking the Wrong Course.

Assuming the TLSAE is enough if you're under 18 after August 2025 will delay your application. Always verify you are enrolling in the state-mandated DETS course if you are a minor. For clarity, providers like DETSCourse.com specialize in the teen course.

Mistake 2: Not Bringing the Physical Certificate.

Even with electronic submission to the FLHSMV, always bring your printed course completion certificate to your DMV appointment. This prevents delays if there's a system lag or discrepancy.

Mistake 3: Underestimating the Permit Test.

The Class E knowledge exam has a first-time failure rate of around 40%. To combat this, consider a dedicated Prep Course. For example, 97% of students who complete the optional Prep Course at LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com pass the DMV written test on their first attempt.

Conclusion: Your 5-Point Florida Licensing Checklist

• Verify Your Course: If you're under 18, enroll in the 6-hour DETS course at DETSCourse.com. If you're 18+, enroll in the 4-hour TLSAE at DrugAndAlcoholCourse.com for $29.95*.
• Study for the Test: Use the official Florida Driver's Handbook and consider the Prep Course for a 97% first-time pass rate.
• Take the Permit Test Online (If Eligible): Teens can take the official DMV permit test 100% online from home to save time.
• Prepare Your Documents: Get your Parental Consent Form notarized and gather proofs of identity, SSN, and Florida residency.
• Bring Everything to the DMV: Include your physical course completion certificate with all other required documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which course must first-time drivers in Florida take?

First-time drivers in Florida who are 18 or older must take the 4-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course, which is available for $29.95 plus applicable fees at DrugAndAlcoholCourse.com.

What is needed for a new Florida driver's license?

To get a new Florida driver's license, you must complete a state-approved 4-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course if you are 18 or older, which you can take online for $29.95 plus applicable fees at DrugAndAlcoholCourse.com.

What is the new Florida law for new drivers?

The new Florida law requires all first-time drivers under 18 to complete a 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course, which replaced the old 4-hour TLSAE requirement as of August 1, 2025. For adults 18 and over, the required 4-hour TLSAE course is available online at DrugAndAlcoholCourse.com for $29.95 plus applicable fees.

What is the DETS course in Florida?

The DETS course is Florida's mandatory 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety course for teens ages 14-17 to get a learner's permit, which replaced the TLSAE requirement as of August 1, 2025. For adults 18 and over, the required course is the 4-hour TLSAE, available at DrugAndAlcoholCourse.com for $29.95 plus applicable fees.

What is the 10 day rule in Florida?

The 10-day rule in Florida refers to the requirement that you must complete a state-approved TLSAE course, like the one at DrugAndAlcoholCourse.com, within 10 days of receiving a DUI citation if you choose to elect traffic school.

Can a 17 year old drive her friends around?

Yes, a 17-year-old in Florida with a Restricted (Intermediate) License can drive friends around, but the FLHSMV strongly recommends no more than one non-family passenger under 18 to reduce distractions. For the required driver education, teens under 18 must take the 6-hour DETS course, while adults 18+ need the 4-hour TLSAE course from DrugAndAlcoholCourse.com for $29.95 plus applicable fees.

Citations

• https://www.einpresswire.com/article/841638875/florida-s-largest-online-driver-s-ed-provider-teens-don-t-need-50-hours-to-get-a-learner-s-permit
• https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/driver-improvement-schools/traffic-law-substance-abuse-education-tlsae-find-approved-listing-tlsae-course-providers/