Every first-time Florida driver has to finish a state-approved education course before a learner's permit can be issued. Until 2025 that meant one course for everyone. Now there are two, and which one you take depends only on your age on the day you apply.
Which course do I need?
| Your age when you apply | Required course | Length | Also called |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | DETS: Driver Education and Traffic Safety | 6 hours | Teen driver ed, 6-hour course |
| 18 and older | TLSAE: Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education | 4 hours | Drug and Alcohol course, DATE, First Time Driver course |
What is the DETS course?
DETS is a 6-hour course approved by FLHSMV that meets or exceeds the Florida Department of Education's Traffic Safety classroom curriculum. It covers Florida traffic law, the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving, and the decision-making and risk topics that matter most for young drivers: distraction, speed, passengers, night driving and seat belts. FLHSMV allows it to be delivered in person or online, and nearly all teens take it online at their own pace over a few sessions.
Providers generally accept students from age 14 and a half, so you can finish it before your 15th birthday and apply for the permit the day you turn 15.
What is the TLSAE course?
TLSAE is the 4-hour course that has been Florida's first-time driver requirement for decades. It focuses on how alcohol and drugs impair driving, Florida DUI and traffic laws, and safe-driving attitudes. It is a one-time requirement: once completed, it never has to be repeated. Adults applying for their first Florida license at 18 or older take this course. Like DETS, it is offered online by approved providers.
Who is exempt
- You already hold or held a valid driver license from another state or country. You are not a first-time driver.
- You held a Florida learner's license before August 1, 2025; the new DETS rule does not reach back.
- You completed TLSAE before August 1, 2025 while under 18: the completion stays valid for one year from the completion date. Apply within that year or you will need DETS.
- You completed a Florida Department of Education Traffic Safety classroom course (course codes 1900300 or 1900310) or a DELAP program run by your county school board. These count in place of DETS.
How to take the course
- Pick a provider from the FLHSMV-approved list. Only approved providers can report completions to the state; an unapproved course is money wasted.
- Register and pay. Typical prices are $15 to $50; DETS usually costs more than TLSAE because it is longer.
- Work through the modules. Each has a short quiz and you can stop and resume.
- Finish the final assessment. The provider reports your completion to FLHSMV electronically, usually within one business day. You do not mail anything and there is no paper certificate to bring, although keeping the confirmation email is smart.
Course versus exam: two different things
People mix these up constantly, so to be clear:
- The course (DETS or TLSAE) is education. You watch, read and answer module quizzes. You cannot really fail it; you complete it.
- The Class E Knowledge Exam is a 50-question test given by the state or an approved test administrator. You need 40 correct. It is separate from, and comes after, the course.
Some providers bundle the course and the online knowledge exam for teens into one package. That is convenient, but remember the exam itself is still a pass-or-fail state test with its own rules; see taking the permit test online.
What comes next
With the course reported, the exam is the only thing between you and the permit. Read what is on the Class E Knowledge Exam, take a free full-length practice test, and then follow the step-by-step permit guide for the office visit.
Quick answers
What is the difference between TLSAE and DETS?
DETS (Driver Education and Traffic Safety) is the 6-hour course required for first-time applicants under 18 since August 1, 2025. TLSAE (Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education) is the 4-hour course for applicants 18 and older.
Is the DETS course online?
Yes. FLHSMV allows DETS to be delivered in person or online through approved providers. Most teens complete it online at their own pace.
I finished TLSAE before August 2025. Do I have to take DETS?
If you are under 18 and completed TLSAE before August 1, 2025, your completion stays valid for one year from the completion date. After that year, you would need DETS to apply.
Ready to test yourself?
Take a free 50-question practice exam built from the Florida Driver License Handbook. No sign-up needed.
Start Free Practice TestFacts in this article follow the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) as of September 2026. Rules and fees can change; confirm details with your local driver license office before you go.