Get Your Permit with the Florida Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) Course

As of August 1, 2025, FLHSMV requiresEducation Courses Driver Improvement Schools Driver Education Traffic Safety Dets Driver Licenses Id Cards anyone under 18 who has never held a license from another state, country, or jurisdiction to complete the 6-hour DETS course before applying for a Florida license. TLSAE no longer satisfies this requirement for new applicants under 18.

Two groups are exempt from DETS:

• Drivers under 18 transferring a valid out-of-state licenseHow Get Your Florida Drivers License New Resident Blog
• Drivers who already held a Florida learners permit before August 1, 2025

If you're 18 or older, DETS doesn't apply to you at all. You'll still take the 4-hour TLSAE courseDrug And Alcohol Course Florida instead.

It depends on when. FLHSMV grandfathered in TLSAE certificates completed before August 1, 2025, but only for one year from the completion date. That window has now closed for anyone who took TLSAE before August 1, 2025, since a year has passed. If that's your situation, TLSAE no longer meets the requirement and you'll need to complete DETS.

The one group still exempt: if you already had your Florida learners permit before August 1, 2025, you're covered under the old rules and don't need DETS at all.

Yes, the Florida Knowledge Exam is still required for both teens and adults. If you're 15 to 17, you can take the Class E Knowledge Exam online with Aceable. If you're 18 or older, Florida requires you to take it in person at your local driver license office. Wondering how many questions are on the Florida permit testHow Many Questions On Permit Test Dmv? We break down the format and passing score.

The DETS final exam is part of your course. Passing it lets Aceable report your course completion to the state and confirms you finished the 6-hour DETS course.

The Knowledge Exam is a separate, additional test you need to pass to get your permit or license. If you're under 18, you can take it online with Aceable for an additional $25. If you're 18 or older, Florida requires you to take it in person.

Need help studying for the Knowledge Exam?Florida Permit Test Prep Course Drivers Ed

• Proof of identification: Birth certificate (or a certified copy from the state you were born in) or U.S. passport
• Proof of Social Security number: Original Social Security card or a W-2 showing your SSN
• Proof of residential address: Home utility bill, cable bill, home telephone bill, or similar (non-U.S. citizens must present proof of legal presence)
• Parental consent form: If you're under 18 and unmarried, one parent or legal guardian must sign your application at your local driver license office. Stepparents can't sign unless they've legally adopted you.
• Parent proctoring form: Only needed if you're under 18 and took the Knowledge Exam online with Aceable. See our full Florida permit checklist?a=Florida Driver%27s Ed Permit Checklist Id A19m7EP4TiKwcyCrs0bcXg Support for details.
• $48 licensing fee: Covers both the permit and the license

If you're under 18 with your permit, you'll need 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, including 10 hours at night, with a licensed adult who's at least 21. There's no limit on how many hours you can log in a day, and you can complete them with a driving school instead of a parent if that works better for your schedule.

• First 3 months with your permit: daytime driving only
• After 3 months: 6am to 10pm

You'll get identity security questions at a few points during the course. Miss one and you'll be sent back to the start of that level. It's a state requirement we can't waive, but our levels are short, so you'll be back where you left off fast.