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How to Take Florida Driver's Ed Online
If you're a Florida teen ready to get your learner's permit, the first step is completing an approved driver education course online. It's more flexible than a classroom, you can work at your own pace, and it sets you up for everything that comes next — the permit test, supervised driving, and eventually your license.
Here's exactly what you need to know to get started.
What Course Do You Need?
Florida requires different courses depending on your age, so let's clear that up first.
Under 18: You Need the DETS Course
If you're under 18, you're required to complete the Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course. This is a 6-hour, state-approved program that replaced the older 4-hour TLSAE course for teens in 2025.
The DETS course is 100% online and includes a final exam — 50 questions, with a passing score of 80% or higher. It's mobile-friendly, so you can work through it on your phone, tablet, or computer.
18 or Older: You Need the TLSAE Course
If you're 18 or older and getting your first Florida license, you'll take the 4-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course, also known as the Drug and Alcohol course. It's fully online, self-paced, and delivers your completion certificate electronically when you finish.
What the Course Covers
Both the DETS and TLSAE courses cover the fundamentals you'll rely on every time you get behind the wheel. Expect to learn about Florida traffic laws and road signs, how to prevent collisions, handling emergencies, driving in rain and low visibility, and how to share the road safely with pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers.
This isn't just box-checking material. A lot of what the course covers will show up on your permit test — and more importantly, on the road.
Take Your Permit Test Online Too
Here's something a lot of Florida teens don't know: if you're under 18, you can take your official permit test online through DriversEd.com — no trip to the DMV required.
The Florida Online Course + Permit Test comboFlorida Combo Driversed.com bundles your DETS course with the permit test and 50 practice tests to help you prepare. If you're trying to get through the process as efficiently as possible, this is the way to do it.
What Happens After You Pass
Once you've finished your course and passed your permit test, you'll get your Florida learner's permit. That's when the hands-on part begins.
Florida requires teens to complete 50 hours of supervised driving before they can take the road skills test — at least 10 of those hours must be at night. You'll track your hours in the Florida Parent-Teen Driving Guide. Take your time with this part. More practice behind the wheel means more confidence when it counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Florida driver's ed available completely online?
Yes. Both the DETS course for teens and the TLSAE course for adults 18+ are fully online. You can start and stop as needed — your progress is saved automatically.
How long does the Florida DETS course take?
The DETS course is 6 hours of instruction. Most students complete it over a few sessions. There's no requirement to finish it all at once.
Do I have to go to the DMV to get my permit?
Teens under 18 who take the DriversEd.com combo course can take their permit test online and may be able to skip the DMV visit for the test itself. You'll still need to visit a DMV office to get your physical permit card.
What score do I need to pass the DETS final exam?
You need to answer at least 40 out of 50 questions correctly — that's an 80% passing score. If you don't pass on your first try, you can retake it.
Can parents take the DETS course too?
The DETS course is designed for teen drivers under 18. If you're 18 or older, you'll take the TLSAE course instead. Parents looking to brush up or support their teen through the process might find it useful to review the Florida teen drivers ed FAQFlorida Teen Drivers Ed Faq Driversed.com.
How do I practice for the Florida permit test?
DriversEd.com offers free Florida permit test practice questions that mirror the real exam format. Try our Florida practice permit testFlorida Practice Permit Test Driversed.com to see where you stand before test day.
Ready to Get Started?
DriversEd.com is state-certified in Florida and has helped more than 3 million students get their licenses. Whether you're a teen starting with DETS or an adult working through TLSAE, you can move at your own pace and finish on your own schedule.
Explore Florida driver's ed courses at DriversEd.com.Florida Driversed.com
Get Started with your Florida Online Drivers Ed Course Today
Updated June 15, 2026
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