Education & Courses

Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) Course Frequently Asked Questions

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General

 

  • What is DETS?

    Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) is a 6-hour course, approved by FLHSMV and which meets or exceeds the Florida Department of Education (FDOE)/Traffic Safety-Classroom 1900300 course version description.

  • Who is required to take DETS?

    As of August 1, 2025—An individual who is under 18 years old and has never held a driver license from any other state, country or jurisdiction must complete a 6-hour DETS course before applying for a license in Florida.

    Individuals under 18 years old who have completed a TLSAE course prior to August 1, 2025, may still use their TLSAE course completion certificate until it expires.

    Florida Department of Education (FDOE) Traffic Safety Classroom 1900300 and 1900310 courses and Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP) courses offered by some county school boards may substitute for this requirement. Contact the local school board for further information.

    This change does not affect:

    • Applicants under 18 years of age who already hold a valid out-of-state license transferring to Florida.
    • Individuals who have already obtained a Florida learner’s license prior to August 1, 2025.
    • Individuals under 18 years of age who completed the TLSAE course prior to August 1, 2025.
      • These individuals will be grandfathered in and allowed to use their TLSAE course completion certificate for one-year after the completion date.
      • Individuals under 18 years of age who do not obtain a Florida driver license within the year will be required to take the new DETS course to meet requirements for issuance.
  • Is the course conducted in-person or online?

    The course can be delivered in-person or online.

  • I’m under 18 years old but took the 4-hour TLSAE course. Do I need to take DETS too?

    Individuals under 18 years old who have completed a TLSAE course prior to August 1, 2025, will be grandfathered in and allowed to use their TLSAE course completion certificate for one-year after the completion date.

    Individuals under 18 years old who complete a TLSAE course on or after August 1, 2025 will need to take the DETS course, unless they are enrolled in:


 

Course Providers

 

  • What are the DETS course requirements?

     

    Providers interested in submitting a course application should contact Driver-Education@flhsmv.gov.

  • I currently teach a FLHSMV-approved TLSAE course, do I need to submit an application for the DETS course?

    Course providers wishing to conduct the DETS course will need to submit a new course application. Course providers who do not wish to conduct DETS, may continue administering their approved TLSAE course to individuals 18 years old and older.

  • Do FDOE Traffic Safety Classroom 1900300 or 1900310 course need to be approved by FLHSMV?

    No, since 1900300 and 1900310 are FDOE’s curricula, they do not need additional approval from FLHSMV.

  • Are there any current DETS approved providers?

    Curriculum providers are in the process of submitting applications and curricula to meet the newly created requirements.

  • How will approved providers report completions of the new Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course to FLHSMV?

    Through the Driver Improvement Certificate Issuance System (DICIS).

  • Are there any certificate requirements?

    Yes, the same requirements as ADI, BDI and TLSAE. The cost of the certificate will be $3.00.

  • If students do not complete by 6/30/2025, what instructions should we provide them for how to meet the requirement?

    If they don’t complete TLSAE prior to August 1, 2025, they will need to complete a DETS course.

  • Approximately how long do you project it will take from time of submission to approval of the new DETS course? When do we need to submit our application and materials to ensure it will be approved before 7/1/25?

    According to Florida Law, FLHSMV has 90 days to respond from the date a complete application is received.

  • Can you confirm the 40-question exam only allows the student one attempt to earn 80% before failing?

    The course provider may allow up to three attempts to pass the test.

  • The application asks for “References (Materials and Florida Statute),” can you provide clarification on your expectations for this request or instructions on what you are expecting to see? For example, are you hoping to see a reference to 2024 Florida Statutes for every topic?

    No, references should be the source of the information and/or the statute. Not all of the requirements have statutory references.

  • In the application, there are references to a “course instructor,” including the points below. Are these relevant/required for online (asynchronous) courses? If so, what are the requirements?
    • required qualifications to be a course instructor
    • a written description of the pre-service instructor development training
    • a written description of the in-service training
    • a written description of the methods and instruments used for monitoring and evaluating course instructors
    •  a copy of the course provider’s plan for oversight of those who deliver the course
    •  a copy of the authorization used by the course provider for the contracted driver improvement schools

    Yes, because when students ask questions about the course, the staff answering those questions have to be trained in and familiar with the course.