Published: June 4, 2025 | Updated for July 1 DETS changes
Help your teen become a safe, confident driver—one step at a time
Watching your teen take the wheel comes with pride… and maybe a little panic. But don’t worry—you’re not in this alone. Florida has a structured system to guide your teen from first-time driver to fully licensed adult. And starting July 1, 2025, a new required course, DETS, changes how that journey begins.
This updated guide breaks down the new rules, required steps, and how you can support your teen without second-guessing.
TL;DR: What Florida Parents Need to Know
To earn a driver’s license in Florida, your teen must:
Be at least 15 to apply for a learner’s permit
Complete the new Driver Education and Traffic Safety (DETS) course
Pass the Florida knowledge exam
Log 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night)
Progress through Florida’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system
Step 1: Understand Florida’s Updated GDL Program
Florida’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system helps teens build safe driving habits in phases:
Learner’s Permit (Ages 15–17)
Must complete the DETS course
Must pass the vision test and knowledge exam
Must drive with a licensed adult (21+) in the front seat
May not drive after 10 p.m.
Must hold permit for 12 months without violations
📘 Want a deeper dive into how Florida’s GDL works?
Read the Florida Graduated Licensing Program Explained for a full breakdown of phased licensing and age-based rules.
Step 2: DETS – The New Required Course for Teens
As of July 1, 2025, Florida law requires all drivers under 18 to complete the Driver Education and Traffic Safety (DETS) course instead of TLSAE.
This new 6-hour course covers:
Drug and alcohol safety
Defensive driving strategies
Florida traffic laws and road signs
Crash prevention and real-world driving risks
🎓 Need more details?
Here’s what every parent should know about the Florida DETS program, including what it covers and how to get started.
Step 3: Preparing for the Florida Knowledge Exam
After DETS, your teen must pass the Florida Class E Knowledge Exam. It includes 50 multiple-choice questions and can still be taken online (with notarized parental consent).
📋 Want to know what to expect during the permit application?
This guide to how to get your Florida learner’s permit walks through forms, fees, and test-day tips.
Step 4: Logging Those 50 Driving Hours
Florida law requires:
50 total hours of supervised driving
10 of those hours at night
💡 Not sure how to make the most of practice time?
These tips for the first 50 hours behind the wheel are a great starting point.
Step 5: Take the Road Test and Earn a License
After 12 months of safe permit driving and 50+ logged hours, your teen can schedule the behind-the-wheel driving test.
Bring the required documentation and be ready for them to demonstrate skills like:
3-point turns
Backing up
Lane changes
Proper stops at intersections
Passing earns them a Class E license—and their first big taste of independence.
Teen Driver Safety: What Parents Can Reinforce
You’re not just supervising. You’re modeling. These rules save lives:
No phones—even at stoplights
Always buckle up
Respect speed limits, especially in school zones
Avoid driving when tired or emotional
No passengers during early permit months unless required by law
Explore common driving mistakes teens (and adults!) make →
Insurance & Cost Talk: What to Expect
Adding a teen driver will raise premiums, but you can minimize the financial hit:
Ask about safe driving discounts
Enroll your teen in defensive driving for added savings
Discuss the real cost of speeding tickets, repairs, or points
Teach them how to budget for gas, insurance, and car maintenance
FAQs: Florida Teen Driving in 2025
What’s the minimum age for a permit?
15, with parental consent and DETS course completion.
Is DETS required for all teens?
Yes, starting July 1, 2025. TLSAE is no longer accepted for permit applicants under 18.
Can my teen take drivers ed online?
Yes! DETS is available online from state-authorized providers like DriversEd.com.
Can they take the permit test online too?
Yes, with notarized parental consent.
How long does it take to get licensed?
Teens must hold a permit for at least 12 months and complete 50 practice hours before testing for a license.
Final Thought: You’ve Got This
Even if…
You don’t remember every road rule
Your teen “already knows everything”
You’re juggling a thousand other things…
You’re the most important teacher your teen will ever have behind the wheel.
Support them. Stay patient. Celebrate progress. They’ll thank you—eventually.
Updated 06/18/2025
