Florida Driver Safety Courses

Teens ages 15 to 17 must successfully complete the Driver Education Traffic Safety course (DETS) to take the Class E Knowledge Exam (permit test) online through SafeMotorist or in person at dedicated service centers.

After finishing the DETS course and passing the permit test, applicants 15 and older must complete the following to get their Learner's License:

• Prepare the required documents, including a signed/notarized Parental Consent Form.
• Visit your local FLHSMV office: some may require an appointment
• Pass the vision and hearing tests administered at your FLHSMV location

Learner's permit holders must complete 50 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel practice (including 10 hours at night) with a licensed adult. After 12 months with the permit, eligible residents can apply for their license and take the road test.

Adult applicants (18+) who did not get a permit must take a Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) class to qualify for the road test.

The price of an Original Class E (driver) license from the state is $48. In total, costs to consider during the entire process include:

• DETS course and permit exam for teens ($50) or TLSAE for adult applicants ($19)
• Vision test (varies, typically $0 to $5)
• Road test (varies, typically $10 to $15)

The DETS and TLSAE courses are both required stops for different age groups on the journey to becoming licensed.

The DETS course is a required learner's permit prerequisite for teens between the ages of 14 1/2 and 17. First-time drivers 18 or older must complete the TLSAE program before applying for a driver's license.

Additionally, both options available on our website are state-approved and include completion certificates with electronic reporting. See our course overviews below to understand the differences.

Students must complete this six-hour course within 90 days of enrolling. Topics include traffic signs and road markings, vehicle control and maneuvering, right-of-way laws, hazardous driving conditions and more.

The program includes five 15-question quizzes that require a minimum score of 70%, and you have unlimited attempts to pass. You must also pass a 40-question final exam with a score of 80% or higher. You have up to three attempts to pass. Upon completion, we electronically report your certificate of completion to the FLHSMV.

The four-hour curriculum explains the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving, state-specific traffic laws, legal responsibilities, defensive driving strategies and how to stay alert behind the wheel. You have 90 days to complete the program once enrolled.

There are lesson review quizzes, and you must pass a final exam with a score of 80% or more. You have up to three attempts to pass. Upon completion, you will receive the certificate of completion needed to apply for a driver license.

Yes, the state assigns points to individual driving records based on the severity of the related traffic violation. Point values range from three to six and cover a variety of common issues, from speeding (three points) to a hit and run (six points).

Assigned points stay on a driver's record for at least five years and accumulating points can lead to license suspension.

The four-hour Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) Course is commonly used for point reduction after receiving a non-criminal moving violation (traffic ticket). The longer, eight-hour Intermediate Driver Improvement (IDI) Course is typically required if mandated by a judge or if two tickets are issued within a 12-month period.

Lastly, drivers with a suspended or revoked license may be required to take a 12-hour Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI) class to complete the reinstatement process.

Drivers can complete a BDI course to avoid points if:

• They haven't taken one in the last 12 months
• The ticket is for a non-criminal offense
• It's taken within 90 days of receiving the ticket

Exact citation fees vary by county and ticket type. The base fines for speeding, according to state law, range from $25 to $250.

Most people who complete a driver improvement course will receive an 18% reduction in citation fees.

Any driver 55 or older with a valid Florida driver's license qualifies for an insurance premium reduction for three years upon completion of our self-paced, six-hour course.

The course discusses how to drive safely, maneuver defensively and follow current state traffic laws. It features easy-to-follow lessons that are compatible with any internet-connected device (computer, tablet, phone)

Residents born after Jan. 1, 1988, need a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card to legally operate a boat with 10+ horsepower. Completing our course provides immediate access to a temporary certificate that is valid for 90 days. Residents can use this to start boating while they wait for their official ID from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The course is available for 90 days once purchased and takes at least five hours to complete. The lessons are split into 10 modules that explain boat types, required equipment, safe operation, avoiding hazards, protecting the environment and more.