New Florida Driver Ed Requirements Take Effect August 1st
by Courtney Conley Big news for Florida teens working toward their first license: driver education requirements are changing, and the deadline to act is fast approaching.
Starting August 1, 2025, if you’re under age 18, you’ll no longer be able to meet your licensing requirements with the 4-hour TLSAE course. Instead, Florida is rolling out a new 6-hour course called DETS (Driver Education Traffic Safety). That means if you want to use your TLSAE certificate to get your learner’s permit or license, you must complete the course before August 1st and you must get your license within one year of the completion date on your TLSAE certificate..
This update is part of Florida’s effort to improve safety education for teen drivers. The new DETS course is designed to be longer and more comprehensive, giving new drivers a stronger foundation before they hit the road.
What does that mean for Florida teens?
- If you’re under age 18: Complete your TLSAE course before August 1st and use it to get your license within one year of the completion date on your TLSAE certificate to ensure it still counts. After that date, the TLSAE course won’t meet the state’s licensing requirements for teens.
- If you finish your TLSAE course before August 1st: You’re in the clear! Your course certificate will still be valid for one year from the completion date on your certificate.
- If you’re age 18 or older: You’re not affected by this change. You can continue to take the 4-hour TLSAE course to meet your licensing requirement.
We’re already working behind the scenes to bring you the new DETS course. While we’re not approved to offer it just yet, we hope to have an update soon. In the meantime, if you’re under age 18 and ready to get started, don’t wait! Complete your TLSAE course now to stay on track. It takes four hours to complete. Just be sure to finish it before August 1st!
Big news for Florida teens working toward their first license: driver education requirements are changing, and the deadline to act is fast approaching.