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Florida's Online DETS Course for Teen Drivers

Florida’s required 6-hour course for first-time drivers under 18. DETS stands for Driver Education and Traffic Safety. It is 100% online, and we file it with the FLHSMV for you.

  • State-approved & fully compliant with Florida law.
  • 100% online, mobile-friendly, completely self-paced.
  • Interactive lessons and quizzes — built for teens.
  • Certificate filed electronically with FLHSMV.
  • Friendly support — email any day, text or call Mon–Sat.
$49.95 $29.95 Save $20 one-time · all fees included
Start your course — $29.95 See how it works
FLHSMV Approved Approved Provider:
Highway Traffic School Find us on the official list ›
Accepted by all Florida courts FLHSMV-approved provider
4.9 2,766 Google reviews
116,000 drivers served since 2014

New Florida law (effective August 1, 2025): all new drivers aged 14½—17 must complete the 6-hour Driver Education and Traffic Safety (DETS) course. It comes before applying for a learner's license. The older 4-hour TLSAE is no longer accepted for this age group.

FLHSMV-Approved 100% Online & Mobile Instant Certificate Self-Paced — Pause Anytime Filed with FLHSMV for You Email Support Any Day Interactive Lessons & Quizzes Built to the State Standard
We've helped over 116,000 students
G ★★★★★ 4.9 · 2,766 Google reviews ★★★★★ 4.8 · 26 Facebook reviews
The Basics

What is Florida's DETS course?

DETS stands for Driver Education and Traffic Safety. It is the 6-hour, state-approved course Florida requires of first-time drivers under 18. Your teen must finish it before applying for a learner's permit. The state calls the permit a learner's license.

Since August 1, 2025, it has replaced the old 4-hour TLSAE course for this age group. Adults 18 and older still take TLSAE. The course covers Florida traffic laws, road signs, defensive driving, and the real risks new drivers face. It meets or exceeds Florida's official driver education standard (FDOE Traffic Safety 1900300).

In plain terms: your teen is under 18 and has never held a license anywhere? Then this is Florida's online drivers ed course — the one the state requires to get started.

Quick Check

Is this the right course for you?

Smiling Florida teen giving a thumbs up while holding his new learner's license

Who takes DETS — and who doesn't

  • Under 18 and never licensed anywhere? DETS is your course — the one the state requires before a learner's license.
  • 18 or older? You need the 4-hour TLSAE course instead.
  • Already have an out-of-state license? You're exempt — no Florida course required.
  • Got your Florida permit before August 1, 2025? You're grandfathered in.
  • Already finished DETS and just need the permit test? Take the Class E Knowledge Exam.
The Curriculum

What the Florida DETS course covers

The course has ten units, then a final exam. Your teen learns Florida traffic law, defensive driving and what to do in an emergency. Other units cover what happens in a crash, and alcohol and drugs. It is everything the state standard asks for, in short lessons with quizzes as you go.

6 hours · 10 units
  1. Unit 1 Course Introduction
    • Navigation
    • How This Course Works
    • What To Expect
    • Course Requirements
  2. Unit 2 The Traffic Safety Problem
    • Highway Safety
    • Economic Cost of a Crash
    • Safety Restraints & Airbags
    • Vehicle Technologies
  3. Unit 3 Factors Influencing Driver Performance
    • Focus on Driving
    • Mental Factors
    • Road Rage & Aggressive Driving
    • Fatigue
  4. Unit 4 Traffic Laws & Procedures
    • Licensing
    • Stops
    • Speed Limits
    • Traffic Signs, Signals, & Markings
    • Parking
  5. Unit 5 Special Skills for Difficult Driving Environments
    • Freeways
    • City Driving
    • Adverse Weather
    • Other Driving Environments
    • Emergency Vehicles
  6. Unit 6 Physical Forces that Influence Driver Control
    • Speed & Collisions
    • Braking
    • Skidding & Recovering
    • Racing on a Highway
  7. Unit 7 Perceptual Skills Needed for Driving
    • Physical Factors that Influence Driver Performance
    • Perception & Reaction
    • Following Too Close
  8. Unit 8 Defensive Driving Strategies
    • Defensive Driving
    • Planning Your Trip
    • Sharing the Road
    • Distracted Driving
  9. Unit 9 Driving Emergencies
    • Cost of Vehicle Ownership
    • Vehicle Maintenance
    • Required Equipment
    • Mechanical Malfunctions
    • Collision Traps
    • Driver Responsibilities at a Collision
  10. Unit 10 Alcohol & Traffic Safety
    • Alcohol-Impaired Driving
    • Drug Impaired Driving
    • Mixing Alcohol & Other Drugs
    • DUI Laws
  11. Final exam 40 questions · 80% to pass
The Florida DETS course, unit by unit. Ten units fill the state's six hours. They cover traffic law, defensive driving, the physics of a crash, emergencies, and alcohol and drugs. Then comes a 40-question final exam, passed at 80%. F.S. §322.1615 verified
How It Works

Who does what, from sign-up to the learner's permit

Your teen takes the course. Your part is the account, the consent form and the trip to the driver license office — and it's lighter than it looks. The filing is ours.

  1. Parent Register your teen Create the account in about 2 minutes. Nothing to commit to up front, and a full refund within 30 days if your teen hasn't started the course. Day 0
  2. Your teen Take the 6-hour DETS course online Ten units on any device. Log out any time and progress saves, so it's an afternoon or a week, whichever suits. 6 hours, any pace
  3. Your teen Pass the 40-question final exam 80% to pass, drawn from the course. The certificate follows the moment they do. 80% to pass
  4. Highway Traffic School We file the completion with FLHSMV The moment your teen passes. The certificate is emailed instantly and kept in your account. Nothing for you to mail or upload. Instant
  5. Parent Sign the Parental Consent Form A parent or legal guardian signs at the office, or has the form notarized if they can't attend. Step-parents may sign only if they have legally adopted the teen. Before the visit
  6. Parent Supervise the online Class E exam If your teen takes the permit test online, you confirm their name and birthdate before they start. Bundle it with DETS, or take it later. Optional
  7. Your teen Apply for the learner's permit At 15 or older, at a driver license office: bring proof of identity, proof of a Social Security number, and two proofs of Florida residence. At 15
  8. Parent Supervised driving begins 50 hours total, 10 of them at night, with a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat. After the permit
Who does what, from sign-up to the learner's permit. The parent registers and signs the consent form. The teen takes the 6-hour course and passes the 40-question final. We file the completion with FLHSMV the moment they pass. The permit visit follows at 15. F.S. §322.1615 verified

Florida Teen Driver Guide & Document Checklist

Every step from the learner's permit to the full Class E license — and the exact documents to bring — with a printable quick guide.

Open the guide
Why Highway

Why Florida families trust us with their teen's first license

A state-required course is no place to gamble. Here's what sets Highway Traffic School apart — the approval that makes it count, and the guarantee that makes it safe.

Officially approved — and always current

Our course meets or exceeds Florida’s official driver-education standard (FDOE Traffic Safety 1900300). That is the standard FLHSMV names for DETS. When the teen-driver rules change, we update the course.

The paperwork's on us

The moment your teen finishes, we file the completion with FLHSMV electronically. The certificate is free, emailed instantly, and kept in your account — nothing to mail, upload, or chase down.

One honest, all-in price

$29.95 covers everything — the $3 state fee included, no forced bundles, and zero hidden certificate or processing fees at checkout.

Real people, not scripts

Email us any day — we reply 7 days a week, usually within 2 to 4 hours during business hours. Text or call 1-888-406-1726, Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm PT. People who know Florida's licensing process inside and out.

Change your mind before you start? Full refund.

Full refund within 30 days if your teen hasn’t started the course · Refund Policy

Compare

The honest comparison

Same state approval. One all-in price, an instant certificate and real support.

Feature Highway Traffic SchoolBest value Other Providers
Price$29.95 ✓$35—50+
Certificate deliveryInstant ✓1—3 business days
Mobile optimized100% ✓Limited
Customer supportEmail, text & phone ✓Email only
Hidden feesNone ✓Certificate & processing fees

"Isn't there a free option?"

Yes — Florida Virtual School and some county programs are free, and they're fine for some families. But free usually means slower: an afternoon with us versus a school-semester schedule. With us you also get real support — email any day, text or call Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm PT. And you can bundle the Class E permit exam to finish both state requirements in one place.

Reviews

What drivers say about Highway Traffic School

4.9 · 2,766 Google reviews

Very efficient program and easy to use.

Janet BlatchfordGoogle review

Excellent class and very informative

Jeff IGoogle review

Great course and refresher for rules, laws and hazards on the road. Easy to take test.

Robert MiltonGoogle review

The cost was reasonable. Class was quick and the exam was short and easy.

tom kGoogle review

Very good course, well paced and well presented.

Mark SantamariaGoogle review

Class was great and efficient to go through. Website was navigation friendly.

Martin Miguel-GasparGoogle review

The best way to learn the laws of the land as far as traffic rules

Randy MathewsGoogle review

super easy and convinent !!

Yasary MancillasGoogle review

Had no issues , worked out great for me

Staley TrefryGoogle review

Easy to take....just a bit long!!

ciro diiorioGoogle review

Great course! Very easy to follow. The questions throughout was a great way to prepare for the exam.

Candace CrossleyGoogle review

Easy to follow.

Vanessa RasconGoogle review

Super easy to navigate. Greats website.

Karen Gee ForemanGoogle review

This was convient to do. I could stop and go back to it when I had time. Better than spending all day in a classroom.

Deborah GrayGoogle review

Wish it was an easier process

Sal BolognaGoogle review

Easy to read and follow. Everything i learned will be implemented

y Transportation llcGoogle review

Good price and to the point

Matthew DGoogle review
Read all 2,766 reviews on Google →
Simple, All-In Pricing

Choose your course

Every price includes the $3 state fee — no surprises at checkout.

Florida DETS Course

6 hours · one-time payment

$49.95 $29.95
  • State-approved 6-hour DETS course.
  • 100% online and mobile-friendly.
  • Instant certificate delivery.
  • Electronic filing with FLHSMV.
  • Friendly support — email any day, text or call Mon–Sat.
  • Three attempts at the final exam, all included — no per-attempt fee.
Start your course
Most Popular

DETS + Class E Knowledge Exam

7 hours · one-time payment

$99.90 $65.95
  • Everything in the DETS course.
  • Class E Knowledge Exam (the permit test), 100% online.
  • Florida Driver's Handbook + 100 practice questions.
  • Road-sign flashcards.
  • Finish both state requirements in one place.
Get the bundle

Questions, in the order people ask them

Florida DETS questions, answered

What does DETS stand for?

Driver Education and Traffic Safety. It is Florida's 6-hour, FLHSMV-approved course for first-time drivers under 18, and it is the step that comes before the learner's permit. Adults 18 and older take the 4-hour TLSAE course instead.

Is the DETS course required for Florida teens?

Yes. As of August 1, 2025, all new drivers aged 14½—17 must complete the 6-hour DETS course. It comes before applying for a learner's license in Florida. The older 4-hour TLSAE is no longer accepted for this age group. Full comparison: TLSAE vs. DETS.

What age can my teen start?

Your teen can take the DETS course as early as 14½. They must be at least 15 to apply for the Class E learner's permit.

How much does the course cost?

The DETS course is $29.95, all-inclusive — the state fee is already built in, with no surprises at checkout. You can also bundle it with the Class E knowledge exam to finish both requirements in one place.

How long is the course?

Six hours total, and not in one sitting. You can log out anytime and your progress saves, so your teen goes at their own pace.

Can I take the DETS course on my phone?

Yes. The course is designed for mobile, tablet, and desktop. Start and stop anytime, and pick up right where you left off.

Does my teen need a Social Security number?

Yes — you'll show proof of your teen's Social Security number when applying for the permit. If your teen hasn't been issued one, Florida has an exemption process; check with your local driver license office.

What documents do we bring to get the learner's permit?

Bring proof of identity, proof of your teen's Social Security number and two proofs of Florida residence. Bring the Parental Consent Form too. A parent signs it at the office, or has it notarized first if they can't come. Check the current FLHSMV document list before you go.

Can my teen take the Class E permit test online?

Yes. If your teen is under 18, they can take the Class E knowledge exam online with a parent supervising. We offer it too, so you can bundle it with DETS and finish both requirements at once.

How many exam attempts do I get?

Three. The 40-question DETS final exam allows three attempts, and all three are included in the course price — we never charge per attempt. The Class E knowledge exam is separate and also allows three online attempts.

How fast will I get the certificate, and who files it?

Your certificate is emailed the moment your teen passes. We file the completion with FLHSMV electronically at the same moment — nothing for you to mail or upload.

Anything new for Florida drivers in 2026?

Yes. As of February 6, 2026, Florida's license knowledge exams are given in English only. Interpreters are no longer permitted.

Start your Florida DETS course now

Fulfill Florida's teen driver law, build real driving skills, and get your learner's license fast. Join the 116,000 drivers who have finished with us since 2014.

Register now →

Questions? Chat or email any day — or text or call Mon–Sat, 7am–7pm PT.

By the Numbers

Florida trusts Highway Traffic School

Live counts from our student records and Google reviews — the same numbers you'll find everywhere on this site.

Drivers served since 2014
116,000+
Google rating
4.9
Google reviews
2,766
Florida counties covered
67
Start your course — $29.95 Get the DETS + Exam bundle

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