Online 4-Hour DATA Program for First-Time FL Drivers

Picture this: You just turned 18 and want your first Florida driver's license. Wondering how to get one? You need to finish the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course, also called the Florida Drug, Alcohol and Traffic Awareness (DATA) course.

The class runs about four hours, and it's state approved. You'll learn essential traffic laws, responsible driving habits and the risks of impaired driving.

The TLSAE course is also required for drivers under 21 whose licenses have been suspended for driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.02 to 0.05. After completing the course, these drivers can apply for a hardship license (which limits driving to work and essential travel) or request license reinstatement.

No time to sit in a classroom? No problem. The TLSAE course can be taken online! Complete the training using your computer, tablet or smartphone. You're allowed to start a lesson immediately, stop and pick it up later. You can complete training at your own speed.

Why Is Drug and Traffic Education Required in Florida?

This four-hour class helps make roads safer for the more than 16 million licensed drivers in Florida. A new driver may not understand how even small doses of drugs or alcohol can significantly impair driving.

This creates danger not only to the driver, but also to passengers, pedestrians and other drivers on the road. The course was implemented to educate drivers about traffic laws and the dangers of driving under the influence (DUI). Did you know that a DUI conviction will remain on your driving record for 75 years?

Dangers of Impaired Driving

The message is simple: Operating a vehicle while impaired is extremely dangerous. Alcohol, over-the-counter medication or even a prescribed pill could cloud your judgment, and that's all that counts.

If you're caught driving impaired in Florida, you could lose your driver's license, face heavy fines or even spend time in jail.

Another consequence can be a spike in your insurance rates and, in some cases, completing a required traffic education course may be part of the penalty. The program explains these consequences in detail so first-time drivers learn what's at stake.

Prescription Drugs and Over-the-Counter Medications

Here's the tricky part: not all “legal” drugs are safe behind the wheel. It's perfectly legal to walk into a drugstore and buy cold medicine. But what if it makes you drowsy while driving? Your trip can quickly turn into an accident.

You should always read and take medication warnings seriously before operating a vehicle. If you are not sure about a medication, Florida law and traffic education recommend that you ask your pharmacist or doctor about the side effects before driving.

Bad Judgment

Alcohol, illegal drugs and controlled substances such as marijuana can all affect your judgment. You might get a false sense of confidence and might even feel that you are more alert. But your judgment will be affected whether you feel like it has been or not.

The DATA course covers the physical and mental effects of drugs and alcohol, including dangerous side effects. You may have problems determining distances, speed and the movement of vehicles, and your perception of time may be altered. Your reaction time can decrease, and you may feel drowsy.

Meeting Florida Drug and Alcohol Course Requirements

You can meet Florida's drug and alcohol course requirements by completing the course online. At the end of the course, you must pass a final exam.

After completing the course, you will understand the risks and consequences of impaired driving. You'll also learn potentially life-saving information about drugs and alcohol, traffic awareness and your legal responsibilities as a Florida driver.

It is easy to meet this state requirement — simply register for the online course to get started.

Take the First Step Toward Safer Driving

The Florida DATA course is foundational for safe driving in Florida. This four-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course gives new drivers 18 and up the tools to pass the driving tests, earn their license to drive and build safe habits on the road.

By completing this traffic education course online, you'll learn important Florida traffic laws, the science of reaction time and how drug or substance use affects drivers on the road. This state-approved program is available online and is designed for first-time driver applicants, so you can complete it at your own pace and on your own time.

Don't wait — complete the four-hour DATA course today. This required awareness program is the first step toward earning your Florida driver's license and building a safer future as a driver in the Sunshine State.