Driving Tests

Florida TLSAE vs. DETS Course: Which Drug and Alcohol Course You Need

informational·how to guide·Published October 14, 2026

Which Florida course do I need: TLSAE or DETS?

Florida law requires the TLSAE (drug and alcohol) course only for applicants 18 or older who were never licensed in another jurisdiction and did not finish a Department of Education driver education course. It has at least 4 hours of content. An applicant for a learner's license, age 15 or older, needs an approved driver education course, which FLHSMV lists as DETS.

Where the Florida course facts come from

The TLSAE rules come from section 322.095 of the 2026 Florida Statutes. The learner's license course rule comes from section 322.1615. The DETS requirement comes from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) page on teen learner's license requirements. The FLHSMV general FAQ, teens FAQ, teens exam page, What to Bring FAQ and the Official Florida Driver License Handbook also describe the course. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (flhsmv.gov) before you drive.

TLSAE or DETS: which Florida course fits you

TLSAE or DETS: which Florida course fits you
Your situation	Course the law or FLHSMV names
Age 15 to 17, applying for a learner's license	An approved driver education course that meets or exceeds Department of Education course 1900300 (law). FLHSMV lists it as DETS.
Age 18 or older, never licensed in another jurisdiction, no Department of Education driver education course	Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course (law)
Age 18 or older, finished a Department of Education driver education course	TLSAE is not required by the law
Licensed in another U.S. state or another country	TLSAE is not required by the law. For a license from another country, the FLHSMV FAQ says you may need it, so confirm with FLHSMV.

DETS for a teen learner's license (often called a permit)

Section 322.1615 lets FLHSMV issue a learner's license to a person who is at least 15 years of age. The applicant must complete an approved driver education course that meets or exceeds the Department of Education course 1900300 description, pass the written exam, and pass the vision and hearing exam.
The FLHSMV teen license page, as of October 2026, lists "Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course completion" as a requirement. It also asks for a signed and notarized Parental Consent Form if you are under 18. Our guide to the Florida learner's license covers the full list of requirements.

Why some FLHSMV pages still say TLSAE for everyone

Section 322.095(1) of the 2026 law says that each applicant for a driver license who is 18 years of age or older must complete a traffic law and substance abuse education course. The exceptions are an applicant who was licensed in another jurisdiction and an applicant who finished a Department of Education driver education course.
Some FLHSMV pages and the Official Florida Driver License Handbook still say that every first-time applicant needs TLSAE, at any age. The law wins when the two differ. Because the texts disagree, confirm with FLHSMV which course your case needs before you pay a provider.

Licensed before, or took driver education at school?

If you hold a license from another U.S. state

The law exempts an applicant licensed in another jurisdiction, and the FLHSMV general FAQ says the department reciprocates a license from another state. Our guide to moving to Florida covers the other steps for new residents.

If you hold a license from another country

The law gives the same exemption, but the same FAQ says you may need a 4-hour TLSAE course, a written exam or a driving test. Ask FLHSMV what your license needs.

If you finished a Department of Education driver education course

The law exempts you from TLSAE. The handbook says courses of some county school boards may take the place of TLSAE. Confirm with FLHSMV what proof to bring.

If you are 18 or older and none of these apply

Plan for the TLSAE course. This free practice question on the first-license course checks the same rule.

What the Florida TLSAE course covers, and its fees

The effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the driver of a motor vehicle.
The physiological and psychological effects of alcohol and drug abuse, and its social and economic costs.
Florida laws about the operation of a motor vehicle.
Risky driver attitudes and behaviors, such as speeding, reckless driving, and running red lights and stop signs.
The results of using electronic devices while driving.
Motorcyclist, bicyclist and pedestrian safety.
Fees: the school collects a $3 assessment fee in addition to the regular course fee, and the provider must list all fees when you register.

What to do after the Florida course

1
Finish the course that fits your case
Complete the TLSAE course or the driver education course that applies to you. The provider must send your completion to FLHSMV electronically within 5 days, free of charge to you.
2
Pass the Class E Knowledge Exam
The exam has 50 multiple-choice questions, and you pass with 80 percent, or 40 of 50 correct. It is given in English only. You can take it online only if you are under 18. Our free practice test is also in English only.
3
Get your forms ready
If you are under 18, bring a signed and notarized Parental Consent Form. If you took the exam online, a signed and notarized Parent Proctoring Form is required.
4
Visit a service center
Go to a local service center with the required documents and the fee. For a learner's license, the vision and hearing test is done there.

Key takeaways

Florida law requires TLSAE for applicants 18 or older who were never licensed in another jurisdiction and did not finish a Department of Education driver education course.
A learner's license applicant, age 15 or older, needs an approved driver education course, and FLHSMV lists it as DETS.
Some FLHSMV pages still say TLSAE for every first-time applicant, so confirm your course with FLHSMV before you pay.
TLSAE has at least 4 hours of content, and the school adds a $3 assessment fee to the course fee.
Next step: practice on the free Florida Class E Knowledge practice test.

Florida TLSAE and DETS: common questions

Is the TLSAE course the same as the drug and alcohol course?

Yes. TLSAE means Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education, the Florida drug and alcohol course. The law requires it for first-time applicants 18 or older, with two exceptions. It is a different course from the DETS course that FLHSMV lists for a teen learner's license.

Does a 15-year-old need the TLSAE course?

The law ties TLSAE to applicants 18 or older. At 15, the minimum learner's license age, section 322.1615 asks for an approved driver education course at the level of Department of Education course 1900300, and FLHSMV lists it as DETS. Older FLHSMV pages still say TLSAE, so confirm with FLHSMV.

Can I take the TLSAE course online?

Yes. Florida law lets FLHSMV approve courses that use communications technology as the delivery method. The FLHSMV teens FAQ says you may take the course online or in a classroom with an approved provider, or through an approved Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP) high school class. Ask your local high school if it takes part in DELAP.

How long is the TLSAE course?

At least 4 hours. Section 322.095(9) says a TLSAE course must have a minimum of 4 hours of course content, minus a maximum of 30 minutes for breaks. FLHSMV pages call it the 4-hour course. Ask your provider for the class schedule before you register.

Do I need a paper certificate after the TLSAE course?

No. The only valid completion certificate is the electronic one in the FLHSMV Driver Improvement Certificate Issuance System, and paper certificates are not accepted for any licensing purpose. A provider may not make you buy a certificate. If a provider offers one for sale, the purchase is optional.