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Florida Requirements and Exams for Obtaining Your Learner's Permit

Ready to start the journey toward driving on your own? It takes some work: a little prep, a few tests and the right paperwork. It's nothing to worry about. Just a few important steps to show you're ready to handle the responsibilities.

In Florida, teens need to check a few boxes before they can sit in the driver's seat. Here's where it begins:

  • Be 15 to 17 years old
  • Complete a six-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course
  • Pass vision and hearing tests
  • Pass the knowledge test
  • Provide the required documents

Age Requirement

You must be between 15 and 18 years old to obtain a Florida learner's permit. If you are 18 or older, you should apply for a Class E driver's license.

DETS Course

The Florida Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course is a six-hour, fully online program designed for first-time drivers ages 15 to 17. This state-approved training fulfills Florida's driver education requirement for earning your credential.

The course covers topics such as defensive driving, traffic laws, highway safety and the impact of drugs and alcohol. Interactive lessons combine videos, animations and activities to make learning more effective.

You can take the course at FirstTimeDriver.com and even bundle it with the Florida Online Permit Exam to meet both state requirements online.

Upon completion, your information is sent directly to the FLHSMV, ensuring a smooth process without extra steps.

Please note that the DETS course has replaced the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course as a requirement. TLSAE is now required for first-time drivers 18 and older applying for a driver's license.

Vision and Hearing Tests

You are required to pass vision and hearing tests at a FLHSMV location to receive your official credential. But you do not need to have naturally perfect vision and hearing to get your permit. For example, you can wear glasses, contact lenses or hearing aids if you need them to pass the tests.

You can retake a failed test using a different hearing device or lenses with a stronger prescription. If you need to wear glasses, contacts or a hearing aid to pass the test, it will be noted on your license as a restriction. If you have a corrective lens restriction, you must always wear glasses or contacts while driving.

Class E Knowledge Exam

New drivers who want a learner's credential need to pass what's officially called the can be completed online through FirstTimeDriver.com, at a local FLHSMV office or sometimes through a participating high school program.

The assessment includes 50 multiple-choice questions that cover traffic regulations, roadway signs and general safety habits. A minimum of 40 correct answers (80%) is required to earn a passing score.

Study materials are available in free sample quiz.

Required Documents

When you complete the exam and visit a FLHSMV location to obtain your permit, you are required to bring the following documents:

Identification

You must provide a U.S. Passport, an original birth certificate or a state-issued certified copy of your birth certificate to prove your identity.

Note: Hospital birth certificates and photocopies of your original birth certificate are not accepted.

Social Security Number

Bring your original Social Security card or a W-2 tax form that shows your Social Security number.

Proof of Address

You must provide two proofs of residential address. Acceptable documents that prove your address include bills in your name or a school transcript from the current school year.

You can fill out a Certification of Address form if you can only provide one proof of address. With this form, the second proof of address can be in the name of your parent, stepparent, legal guardian or the person you live with.

Parent Proctoring Form

If you took the exam online, a parent or legal guardian must fill out the FLHSMV Parent Proctoring Form. The form must be signed in the presence of a notary public or a driver's license examiner.

Parental Consent Form

Teens under 18 need a parental consent form before any learner credential is issued. A parent or legal guardian signs it at the office before an examiner or a notary.

For information on other identifying documents, visit the What to Bring page online.

Next Steps for Teens

Unsure where to start once behind the wheel? Nerves are common. Break practice into small pieces.

Start with small achievable goals. Developing little routines to practice basic skills and maneuvers will add up to overall trust in yourself.

And then, one day, you'll realize you're doing it. The nerves are gone, and you're one step closer to driving independently. So, get started today!