Is Florida Making Driver's Ed Mandatory? New Law Explained
A major Florida driving law will change how teen drivers get behind the wheel starting July 1, 2025. The new law creates stricter requirements for teenagers who want to get their learner's permit in Florida.
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reports more than 456,754 teen drivers across the state. The new rules require young drivers (15 years and older) to complete a mandatory six-hour state-approved driver education traffic safety (DETS) course before getting their learner's permit.
This changes the previous system that only required a traffic law and substance abuse education course. CDC data shows that 16-year-old drivers face 1.5 times higher crash risks than their 18 and 19-year-old counterparts. These statistics show why better driver education matters to your family's safety.
Parents of teen drivers and young people planning to get their license soon need to understand these new requirements. This guide breaks down the essential details about Florida's new driver education law, including course requirements, deadlines, and exemptions.
What the New Florida Driving Law Says
Florida has made major changes to its driver education requirements. These new rules will change how teens learn to drive and prepare for their first time on the road.
Effective date and overview
The new Florida driving law starts on August 1, 2025. The state will accept both old and new courses during July 2025 as a transition period. Senator Jay Collins introduced Senate Bill 994 in early 2025, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed it into law on May 30.
The biggest change replaces the four-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course with a more complete six-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course. Young drivers must also pass vision and hearing tests, clear the Class E knowledge exam, and get parental consent.
Who the law applies to
The new rules focus on first-time drivers under 18. The law covers:
All Florida residents ages 15-17 who want a learner's permit after August 1, 2025
Anyone under 18 who has never had a driver's license from any state or jurisdiction
But there are some exceptions. The law doesn't affect:
Teens with a Florida learner's permit before August 1, 2025
People under 18 moving to Florida with a valid out-of-state license
Those who finished the TLSAE course before August 1, 2025 (their certificate stays valid for one year after completion)
Why the change was made
Safety statistics drove these educational changes. Research shows teen drivers die in car crashes three times more often than others. The old four-hour course didn't prepare young drivers well enough for today's road challenges.
The "100 Deadliest Days" between Memorial Day and Labor Day pose special risks - teens are 20% more likely to crash during this time than any other part of the year. Data from the National Road Safety Foundation and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showed the need for stronger educational requirements.
These changes should create better-prepared new drivers and reduce crashes caused by impairment or distraction. Florida ended up following national best practices for teen driver education.
Old vs. New: What’s Changing in Driver’s Ed Requirements
Florida's driver education system is undergoing a major move from old to new methods of preparing young drivers for their first license.
TLSAE course vs. DETS course
The new Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course will replace the traditional Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course—which most Floridians simply call "driver's ed." The DETS curriculum offers a complete approach to road safety education, unlike its predecessor that focused on simple traffic laws and substance awareness. Young drivers will be better prepared for real-life driving scenarios they face on Florida's busy roadways.
Duration and content differences
The time commitment has changed significantly. Students now need 6 hours to complete the DETS course instead of the 4-hour TLSAE requirement. This extra time allows students to learn:
Advanced defensive driving techniques
Detailed coverage of distraction and impairment dangers
Practical scenarios and interactive decision-making exercises
Better preparation for emergency situations
How the transition period works
July 2025 serves as a one-month transition window where both courses will be accepted for permit applications. The DETS course becomes mandatory for new applicants under 18 from August 1, 2025. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will update their online portal to reflect these changes. Students can easily figure out which course they need based on their application date.
Grandfathering rules explained
Florida has set clear rules about who doesn't need to take the new course. Students who complete the TLSAE course before August 1, 2025, can use that certificate for up to one year. Teens with a valid Florida learner's permit before August 1 can continue with the previous requirements. The rules also exempt young drivers who transfer from other states with valid licenses from taking the DETS course.
How the New Law Affects Teen Drivers and Families
The latest Florida driving law goes beyond educational requirements and creates a well-laid-out pathway for teen drivers that places most important responsibilities on parents.
Learner's permit rules for teens
Teens who want their learner's permit must be at least 15 years old. They need to pass vision and hearing tests and score 80% or higher on a knowledge exam. A signed Parental Consent Form must be submitted. The form requires notarization if the parent can't be present. The permit must be held for at least 12 months before teens qualify for a regular license.
Driving hour requirements
Teens with learner's permits must complete 50 hours of supervised driving experience, which includes 10 hours at night. Parents or guardians must verify these hours by completing the Certification of Minor Driving Experience Form. This requirement will give young drivers plenty of practice under controlled conditions.
Nighttime driving restrictions
Florida enforces strict curfews based on age. Drivers who are sixteen can only drive between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. Those who are seventeen face restrictions from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. All but one of these restrictions apply to work-related travel or when a licensed driver aged 21 or older is present.
Parental responsibilities and consent
Parents retain control throughout this process. They must sign consent forms and remain financially responsible for any damages their teen causes while driving. Parents can cancel their teen's license by submitting a written request to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
If you have been injured in an accident and need a lawyer, call Pittman Law Firm, P.L. today for a free consultation.
Expert Opinions and What Comes Next
Florida's driving instructors have mixed feelings about the latest permit requirements for teen drivers.
Driving instructors' feedback
Most experienced instructors back the improved educational standards. "Anything you can do to further enhance driving safety, especially with new students, is a plus," says Billy York from Auto Safety Driving School in Tampa. Some instructors worry about putting these changes into practice. Steve Bowe from Seminole County questions online learning's effectiveness: "If it's going to be virtual, it's hard because who else is taking it for them, are they paying attention?"
Lawmakers' viewpoints
Sen. Jay Collins brought the bill forward in February 2025, and Gov. Ron DeSantis made it law on May 30. Leon County Schools director Benny Bolden says, "It really brings parents pioneering this process. It's a partnership between the parent and school system".
Suggestions for future improvements
Many instructors feel the law should do more. Jana Piper from Emerald Coast Driving School supports "mandatory driving hours on the road with a certified instructor". Cheryl Giles hopes "it does touch on the hands-free law because probably the biggest thing we see is distracted [driving]".
How schools and providers are adapting
Leon County's Virtual School now offers the course as an extra elective year-round. Driving schools work hand in hand with state officials. York explains, "We're still working with the state on that. That's still kind of a fluid process.... We're ready. We're standing by".
Conclusion
Florida's new driver education law brings a fundamental change to teen driver preparation. The switch from the 4-hour TLSAE course to a more detailed 6-hour DETS program shows the state's dedication to reducing teen driving accidents. Parents and teens should mark August 1, 2025, on their calendars as the deadline approaches fast.
Teen drivers face much higher crash risks, especially in summer months. The improved educational requirements will give young drivers the knowledge and skills they need to direct Florida's roadways safely. Many driving instructors believe more hands-on training would help, but this law marks a positive step toward road safety.
Parents have a vital role beyond giving consent. You must certify driving hours, know curfew restrictions, and take responsibility for your teen's actions behind the wheel. Families with teens nearing driving age should start planning now. They can research approved DETS providers or schedule course completion before the August deadline.
If you have been injured in an accident and need a lawyer, call Pittman Law Firm, P.L. today for a free consultation.
These changes highlight one simple truth - proper education forms the bedrock of safe driving habits. The new requirements might ask more from you, but they help protect what matters most - your teen's safety and everyone else on Florida's roads. You have everything you need to guide this transition smoothly as your young driver gets ready to take the wheel.
Key Takeaways
Florida's new driver education law brings significant changes for teen drivers and their families, requiring more comprehensive preparation before getting behind the wheel.
• Starting August 1, 2025, teens under 18 must complete a 6-hour DETS course instead of the previous 4-hour TLSAE course before getting their learner's permit.
• Teens who completed the old TLSAE course before August 1, 2025, can still use their certificate for up to one year after completion.
• The new law requires 50 hours of supervised driving (including 10 at night) and maintains strict nighttime driving restrictions based on age.
• Parents remain financially liable for teen driving damages and can revoke consent to cancel their teen's license at any time.
• The enhanced curriculum focuses on defensive driving, distraction awareness, and real-world scenarios to address the fact that teen drivers are three times more likely to be killed in crashes.
This law represents Florida's commitment to reducing teen driving accidents through better education, particularly during the dangerous summer months when teen crash rates spike by 20%.
FAQs
Q1. What are the new driver's education requirements for teens in Florida? Starting August 1, 2025, teens under 18 must complete a 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course before obtaining their learner's permit. This replaces the previous 4-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course.
Q2. When does the new Florida driving law take effect? The new law officially takes effect on August 1, 2025. However, there is a transition period during July 2025 where either the old or new course will be accepted.
Q3. Are there any exemptions to the new driver's education requirements? Yes, exemptions include teens who obtained a Florida learner's permit before August 1, 2025, applicants under 18 transferring to Florida with a valid out-of-state license, and individuals who completed the TLSAE course prior to August 1, 2025 (their certificate remains valid for one year after completion).
Q4. What are the supervised driving requirements for teen drivers in Florida? After obtaining a learner's permit, teens must accumulate 50 hours of supervised driving experience, including 10 hours at night. A parent or guardian must certify these hours by completing the Certification of Minor Driving Experience Form.
Q5. What nighttime driving restrictions apply to teen drivers in Florida? Sixteen-year-old license holders may only drive between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m., while seventeen-year-olds face restrictions from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. Exceptions exist for work-related travel or when accompanied by a licensed driver at least 21 years old.
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