Florida has introduced a new requirement for teen drivers called the Driver Education Traffic Safety (Florida DETS) course. This is a state-approved 6-hour driver education program designed to better prepare young drivers for the road. Starting in mid-2025, anyone under 18 who hasn’t been licensed before must complete the DETS course before they can get a Florida learner’s permit or driver’s license. This marks a significant change from the old 4-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course that teens used to take. In this post, we’ll explain what DETS is, how it differs from TLSAE, who needs to take it, the law changes behind it, and other key details for Florida’s new drivers.
What Is the Florida DETS Course?
DETS stands for Driver Education Traffic Safety. It’s a 6-hour driver education course approved by the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) department, and it meets or exceeds the Florida Department of Education’s standards for driver education curriculum. In essence, DETS is Florida’s new official driver’s ed course for teens. The curriculum covers much more than just basic traffic laws – it’s focused on safe driving habits, decision-making, and real-world skills that new drivers need.
The DETS course can be completed online or in-person. Online versions must be at least six hours long and cover all required topics, while in-person versions may be offered as part of a high school semester course. Many Florida high schools (including virtual school programs) offer a driver education/traffic safety class that aligns with these requirements. For those not taking driver’s ed in school, private providers will offer DETS online courses once they are approved by the state.
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Florida DETS vs. TLSAE: How Is It Different?
If you’ve heard of the TLSAE course (Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education, also known as the Drug and Alcohol course), you might be wondering how DETS compares. The TLSAE was a 4-hour course that for years was required for all first-time drivers in Florida. The new DETS course replaces TLSAE for teens under 18, and it’s more comprehensive in several ways:
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Course Length: DETS is six hours, whereas TLSAE was only four hours.
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Content Focus: TLSAE provided a basic overview of traffic laws and emphasized substance abuse prevention. By contrast, DETS adds modules on defensive driving, decision-making, and real-life driving scenarios that young drivers face.
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Target Audience: The DETS course is mandatory for drivers ages 15–17 (with some exceptions noted later) starting in 2025. TLSAE remains in place for adults – if you’re 18 or older and getting your first license, you’ll still take the 4-hour TLSAE course unless you’ve completed a full driver’s ed course already.
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Depth of Training: DETS is essentially a true driver’s education program, similar in scope to a high school driver’s ed class. It covers not just laws but the responsibilities of being a driver, Florida’s Graduated Licensing (GDL) rules, safe vehicle control, sharing the road, and the physical and mental factors that affect driving.
One way to think of it: TLSAE taught you what the laws are and why alcohol is dangerous, whereas DETS teaches you how to be a safe, responsible driver in a variety of real-world situations.
Who Needs to Take the Florida DETS Course?
All first-time drivers under 18 in Florida are required to take DETS before they can get their learner’s permit or driver’s license, starting in 2025. More specifically, if you are 15, 16, or 17 years old and have never held a driver’s license in any state or country, you must complete the 6-hour DETS course before applying for a Florida license.
Here’s a breakdown of who does and doesn’t need DETS:
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Teens under 18 (after the effective date): Yes, DETS is required.
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Young drivers who completed TLSAE before the change: If you completed TLSAE before August 1, 2025, your certificate remains valid for one year. After that, you’ll need DETS.
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Teens who already have a permit or license: If you obtained a learner’s permit before the new law took effect, you are not required to go back and take DETS.
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New drivers age 18 or older: DETS is not required. Adults must still take the 4-hour TLSAE unless exempt.
Important timeline note: Florida accepted either TLSAE or DETS for teen applicants during July 2025. Starting August 1, 2025, DETS becomes fully mandatory for under-18 applicants. TLSAE courses taken on or after this date no longer count for teens.
What Does the DETS Course Cover?
The DETS curriculum is quite extensive – it’s basically a full driver’s education syllabus condensed into an online course. Topics include:
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The meaning and responsibilities of having a driver’s license
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Florida traffic laws, road rules, and signals
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Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) requirements
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Proper vehicle control and driving techniques
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Sharing the road with cars, trucks, bicycles, pedestrians, and more
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Defensive driving strategies and hazard awareness
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Physical and mental factors that affect driving
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Effects of drugs and alcohol on driving ability
This expanded curriculum aims to help teens build practical driving judgment and become more responsible behind the wheel.
Why Did Florida Make This Change?
Florida’s move to require DETS for teens is rooted in public safety concerns. Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teens, and young drivers are involved in significantly more accidents per mile than older drivers. Lawmakers and traffic safety officials concluded that the previous 4-hour TLSAE course didn’t go far enough to prepare teens for today’s driving environment.
Senate Bill 994 was signed into law in May 2025, mandating the DETS course for all first-time drivers under 18. The new 6-hour course is intended to improve training outcomes and reduce crashes involving teen drivers. It also brings Florida in line with national best practices for teen driver education.
How and Where Can Teens Take the DETS Course?
There are multiple ways to meet the DETS requirement:
1. Online DETS Courses
The simplest method for most families will be through an approved online DETS provider. These courses are 6 hours long, self-paced, and include a final exam. Completion certificates are issued through the state’s certificate system. Be sure the course you choose is approved specifically for DETS.
2. High School Driver Education Programs
Many Florida high schools offer semester-long driver’s ed classes that meet or exceed the DETS requirements. These classes may also be part of the Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP), which can even include the permit test.
3. In-Person Driving Schools
Some private driving schools may offer DETS in a classroom setting. These must also be approved by the state, and would usually deliver the 6-hour material in a single day or over two sessions.
In all formats, students must pass a final exam (typically requiring a score of 80%) to receive a completion certificate. Providers usually allow up to three attempts.
Note: The DETS course does not replace the official written permit test. Students still need to pass the Class E Knowledge Exam, complete a vision and hearing screening, and meet all other licensing requirements.
The Bottom Line for Florida Teens and Parents
The new DETS course represents a big step forward in Florida’s efforts to improve teen driver safety. While it means a little more preparation for young drivers, the benefits are substantial – better education, stronger defensive driving skills, and safer roads for everyone.
If you’re under 18 and planning to get your learner’s permit soon, make sure DETS is on your to-do list. Check whether your school offers an approved course or watch for online providers as they receive approval. With this foundation in place, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a safer and more confident driver.
