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Florida’s Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course, often called the drug and alcohol or DATA course, is now only for first-time applicants aged 18 and over. Since a 2025 law change, teens applying for a learner’s license take a different course, the Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course. This page tells you which course you need, what the law requires of each, and how completion reaches FLHSMV.
Which Florida course do you need?
| You are | Course | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18, applying for a first learner’s license | FLHSMV-approved driver education course meeting the Department of Education 1900300 standard (DETS) | s. 322.1615(1)(c) |
| 18 or over, never licensed anywhere | TLSAE | s. 322.095(1) |
| 18 or over, completed a Department of Education driver education course under s. 1003.48 | TLSAE not required | s. 322.095(1) |
| Any age, licensed in another state or country | TLSAE not required | s. 322.095(1) |
What changed in 2025
Senate Bill 994 (2025), chapter 2025-104, Laws of Florida, took effect on July 1, 2025. It made two changes:
- TLSAE now applies only at 18 and over. Section 322.095(1) now says each driver license applicant who is 18 or older must complete TLSAE, unless licensed in another jurisdiction or they completed a Department of Education driver education course.
- The learner’s license needs driver education instead. Section 322.1615(1)(c) replaced the TLSAE requirement with a driver education course approved by FLHSMV that meets or exceeds the Department of Education Driver Education/Traffic Safety-Classroom 1900300 course description.
FLHSMV says the DETS requirement applies to under 18s with no prior license from August 1, 2025. Teens who finished TLSAE before that date could use the certificate for one year after completion, so any certificate from before August 1, 2025 can no longer be used for this.
The DETS course for Florida teens
- FLHSMV describes DETS as a 6 hour course.
- It can be taken in person or online from an FLHSMV-approved provider.
- FLHSMV says Department of Education 1900300 and 1900310 classroom courses also count, as can Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP) courses offered by some county school boards.
- Completion is reported to FLHSMV electronically, so you do not need a paper certificate at the office.
Then take the knowledge exam. See the Florida Class E knowledge test.
The TLSAE course for adults: what the law requires
- Length: at least 4 hours of course content, minus a maximum of 30 minutes for breaks (s. 322.095(9)).
- Format: classroom or online. The law lets FLHSMV approve courses delivered through communications technology (s. 322.095(2)).
- Content: alcohol and drug effects on drivers, Florida traffic law, risky driving behavior such as speeding and running red lights, phone use, and motorcyclist, bicyclist and pedestrian safety (s. 322.095(2)(b)).
- Fees: the provider sets its course fee, plus a $3 state assessment fee (s. 322.095(4)). Providers must list every fee during registration (s. 322.095(11)). Course fees vary, so compare providers.
How to take the TLSAE course
- Use an FLHSMV-approved provider. FLHSMV publishes the approved TLSAE provider list on its website. A course that is not on the list will not count.
- Complete the full course.
- Check your completion has been reported. Providers must send completion to FLHSMV’s Driver Improvement Certificate Issuance System within 5 days, free of charge (s. 322.095(12)).
- Book your exams at a driver license office. Adults take the knowledge exam in person.
Paper certificates: do you need one?
No. Under s. 322.095(10), the only valid certificate is the electronic one in FLHSMV’s system. Paper certificates are not accepted for licensing. A provider may offer one for sale but cannot make you buy it, and must tell you it is optional.
Common questions
Do I need TLSAE if I am 16 in Florida?
No. Under 18s now take the driver education (DETS) course for the learner’s license instead.
I am 19 and have never driven. Do I need TLSAE?
Yes, unless you have completed a Department of Education driver education course under s. 1003.48.
I have a license from another state. Do I need TLSAE?
No. Applicants licensed in another jurisdiction are exempt. See moving to Florida.
Is the TLSAE the same as the DATA course?
Yes. “DATA course” and “drug and alcohol course” are common informal names. The legal name is Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education.
Can I do the TLSAE course online in one sitting?
Online courses are allowed. The law sets a minimum of 4 hours of content including at most 30 minutes of breaks, so plan for at least that long.
Is TLSAE the same as traffic school?
No. Traffic school (basic driver improvement) is for drivers with a ticket. TLSAE is a licensing course for new adult drivers.
Related: Florida learner’s license rules, third party testing, drugged driving and cannabis. Back to the Florida learning to drive guide.
Sources
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.095, Traffic law and substance abuse education program for driver license applicants” (leg.state.fl.us)
- Florida Legislature, “Florida Statutes s. 322.1615, Learner’s driver license” (leg.state.fl.us)
- The Florida Senate, “SB 994 (2025), enrolled bill text (ch. 2025-104, Laws of Florida)” (flsenate.gov)
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) Course Frequently Asked Questions” (flhsmv.gov)
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, “What is Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) and how do I find the approved listing of TLSAE course providers?” (flhsmv.gov)