FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New Driver License Requirement for Teens Begins August 1, 2025
State legislation requires individuals aged 15-17 to complete a new 6-hour driving education course to obtain a Florida driver license.
Key West, Fla., June 27, 2025 – Beginning August 1, 2025, individuals aged 15-17 must complete a new 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) training course to obtain a Florida driver license. The current 4-hour Traffic Law Substance and Education (TLSAE) course will no longer be accepted for applicants under 18 years of age.
As the statutory agent for the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), the Monroe County Tax Collector’s Office is responsible for providing state driver license services to Monroe County residents which includes enforcing the new requirement.
“The state has granted a transition period from July 1 to July 31,” said Constitutional Tax Collector Sam Steele. “During this transition period, my office will accept both the DETS and the TLSAE course for issuance.”
A grandfathering period will also take effect. Applicants under 18 who complete the TLSAE course prior to August 1, 2025, will be grandfathered, which means they can use their TLSAE course completion certificate for one year after the completion date. If the applicant does not get a Florida driver license within the year, they will be required to take the Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course to meet the new requirements for issuance.
This new requirement does not impact:
- Applicants under the age of 18 who are transferring a valid out-of-state license to Florida.
- Applicants who have already obtained a Florida learner’s license prior to August 1, 2025.
Please note, the TLSAE course will still be required for applicants aged 18 or older seeking their driver license.
A list of state-approved TLSAE providers is available here:
Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV)
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