Getting a driver’s license is one of the biggest milestones for teens in Florida. If you are under 18, the process has a few extra steps compared to adults, and recent changes in 2025 mean there are updated requirements you need to know. At American Safety Institute, we provide the state-approved online courses that help teens start the licensing process and build the knowledge they need to stay safe on the road.
This guide walks you through each stage of getting your license in Florida as a minor, the requirements you must meet, and which of our courses you will need to complete.
Step 1: Get Your Learner’s Permit
The first step for anyone under 18 is earning a learner’s permit, also called a Class E learner’s license. You can apply when you turn 15.
Here is what you will need:
- Complete the Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course. As of August 1, 2025, Florida law requires all new drivers under 18 to complete this six-hour course. The older four-hour TLSAE course is only accepted if you finished it before August 1, 2025, and you must get your permit within one year of completing it. At American Safety Institute, we offer the state-approved DETS course online so you can complete it at your own pace.
- Have a parent or guardian sign a Parental Consent Form. This must be signed in front of a driver license examiner or notary.
- Pass the vision and hearing tests at a driver license service center.
- Pass the Class E Knowledge Exam. This is a 50-question multiple-choice test on traffic laws and road signs. You must answer at least 40 questions correctly to pass.
- Show the required documents. You need proof of identity, your Social Security number, and two proofs of Florida residential address.
Once you earn your permit, you can begin driving with restrictions. For the first three months, you may only drive during daylight hours. After three months, you can drive until 10 p.m. You must always have a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old sitting in the front passenger seat.
Step 2: Practice Driving
Before you can move on to a driver’s license, you need to build supervised driving experience. Florida requires:
- At least 50 hours of practice driving
- At least 10 of those hours at night
- A parent, guardian, or licensed adult over 21 to supervise
You will record these hours on the Certification of Minor Driving Experience Form (Form 71143). A parent or guardian must sign it when you are ready to apply for your license.
It is also important to keep a clean driving record. You cannot have any moving violations during this time, or only one if the court withholds adjudication and you complete a Basic Driver Improvement course.
Step 3: Earn Your Driver’s License
When you turn 16 and have held your learner’s permit for at least one year without violations, you are eligible to take the driving test for your driver’s license.
You will need to:
- Submit the Certification of Minor Driving Experience Form
- Provide all required documents if not already on file
- Pass the Class E Driving Skills Test in a vehicle that is safe, registered, and insured
If you pass, you will earn your intermediate driver’s license, but it still comes with restrictions until you turn 18.
- At 16, you can drive from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. unless driving to or from work.
- At 17, you can drive from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. unless driving to or from work.
At age 18, the restrictions are lifted, and you will receive a full, unrestricted Class E driver’s license.
Step 4: Consider Extra Training
Many teens and parents also choose to go beyond the minimum requirements with additional training. One option is the Teen Driver Challenge, a 12-hour program run by the Florida Sheriffs Association that combines classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction. While optional, this type of training can improve confidence, reduce crash risk, and sometimes provide insurance discounts.
At American Safety Institute, we recommend supplemental education and practice to build safe habits that last a lifetime. Our online courses and prep tools can help teens get ready for the written exam, the road test, and safe driving in the real world.
Which American Safety Institute Course Do You Need?
For anyone under 18 starting the licensing process after August 1, 2025, the required course is the Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course, which is six hours long and available online through American Safety Institute. This is the first step toward getting your learner’s permit and beginning your driving journey.
If you completed the old TLSAE course before August 1, 2025, you can still use that certificate as long as you apply for your permit within one year. Otherwise, the DETS course is mandatory.
Final Thoughts
Getting your license as a teen in Florida takes planning, practice, and responsibility. By following the steps, meeting the state’s requirements, and enrolling in the right American Safety Institute course, you can get on the road with confidence.
If you are ready to begin, start with the Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course today. Our online platform makes it easy to complete the requirement from home, and you will have everything you need to move toward your learner’s permit.
