Florida DMV Drug and Alcohol Course

The online Florida Drug and Alcohol Course, officially known as the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course, is the simplest way to meet state requirements to earn your Florida learner's permit or driver license.

Approved by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), this four-hour course covers major Florida traffic laws and a wide range of topics related to drug and alcohol use. You'll learn how alcohol and other drugs affect your ability to drive and increase the risk of serious collisions.

You can complete the online course at your own pace on any web-enabled device. The course includes free electronic reporting of your course completion to the FLHSMV.

If you're taking the course to meet the training requirement for your Florida learner's license, you can purchase the TLSAE course and Online Permit Exam bundle to save money and avoid a trip to the DMV for your permit test. Plus, when you register for the course, you'll receive a free 50-question practice quiz for the online permit exam.

Who Needs to Take the Florida DMV Drug and Alcohol Course?

The TLSAE program is designed for first-time drivers seeking their Florida learner's permit or driver license. While high school students make up the majority of those taking the TLSAE course, this training is mandatory for anyone who has never held a driver license from another state or country.

In addition, licensed drivers who commit certain drug- or alcohol-related violations may be ordered by the court to take the TLSAE course. This is typically required for drivers under age 21 who receive a suspension notice after being cited for driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.02 to 0.05.

These drivers must pass the TLSAE course before they can reinstate their driver license on hardship. With a hardship license, you are permitted to drive only for employment or business purposes.

Benefits of the Florida Drug and Alcohol Course

Florida created the TLSAE program more than 30 years ago to reduce rates of drunk driving accidents and deaths among teenagers.

Since TLSAE training became mandatory by law, drunk driving deaths in Florida have fallen. However, when the program started, there was no online option. Students had to take the class in person at a DMV location.

With our 100% online Drug and Alcohol Course, you can study on your own time and complete the program at your own pace. You can take breaks at your convenience and pick up exactly where you left off when you log back in.

What Will I Learn in the TLSAE Course?

The Florida Drug and Alcohol Course explains the harmful effects of alcohol and illicit drugs. As you progress through the timed modules, you'll learn how these substances affect the body, impair driving and increase the risk of accidents and addiction.

The course also covers basic Florida traffic laws, alcohol-related driving laws and state licensing requirements. You can find a full overview of the course modules below.

Course Introduction

Introduction
Substance Use/Abuse Questionnaire
Collision Awareness Module

Module 1: Physiological Factors

Alcohol and Drug Absorption and Elimination
Short-Term Effects on the Body
Long-Term Effects on the Body
Effects of Different Types of Drugs

Module 2: Physiological Factors Part 2

Synergistic Effect
Equivalency of Alcoholic Drinks
Physiological Aspects of Use, Abuse, Dependence and Addiction
Warning Labels
Dealing with Stress, Fatigue, Emotional Distress and Attitude

Module 3: Psychological Factors

Psychological Aspects of Use, Abuse, Dependence and Addiction
The Cost of Addiction
Personal/Economic Costs and Legal Problems
Loss of Judgment
Alcohol as a Gateway Drug
The Use of Alcohol

Module 4: Societal and Economic Costs of Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Cost of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the Operation of a Motor Vehicle
The Risk to Sober Drivers from Drunk Drivers
How Impaired Driver Actions Affect Others
Preventing Drinking and Driving

Module 5: Effect of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse on the Driver of a Motor Vehicle

Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse on the Motor Skills and Vision
Categories of Drugs and How They Affect Driving
When Does Impairment Begin?
Ways to Avoid Driving Impaired

Module 6: Major Traffic Laws of Florida

Graduated Licensing and Insurance Requirements
Alcohol-Related Driving Laws
Your Driving Privilege
Safety Equipment

Module 7: Major Traffic Laws of Florida Part 2

Basic Driving Laws and Concepts
Additional Considerations

About the Online Permit Exam

If you're taking the TLSAE course to earn your Florida learner's permit, you can meet all your required training and testing with our discounted Online Permit Exam bundle. This convenient option includes the state-approved TLSAE course and a 100% online version of the permit exam.

You must be at least 14 ½ years old to take the Online Permit Exam. Florida law requires learner's permit applicants over age 18 to take the permit test in person at a Florida DMV office.

The online exam includes 50 questions, and you have up to one hour to finish. You must score at least 80% on your exam to pass. When you successfully pass the test, we'll report your score and completion status to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

After passing the online permit test, you must go to your local Florida DMV office to obtain your learner's permit. You must bring proof of identity with you, such as your Social Security Card or a bill listing your residential address, and pay the state fee. You can contact your local DMV for a full list of acceptable documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to getting your Florida learner's permit?

To get your Florida learner's permit, you must:

Be at least 15 years old
Complete the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course
Pass a vision and hearing test at a DMV service center
Pass the permit exam online or in person
Provide proof of identity, such as a Social Security Number, Alien ID number or Non-Alien ID number

Those under 18 must be monitored by a parent or guardian during the online permit exam. Parents or guardians must provide a valid driver license number before the start of the exam to certify that they will monitor the exam and ensure the student receives no assistance.

What are the steps to getting your Florida driver license?

To earn your Florida driver license, you must:

Be at least 16 years old
Hold a learner's permit for at least one year or reach your 18th birthday — whichever comes first
Provide a Certification of Minor Driving Experience Form to prove you have 50 hours of driving experience
Pass the Class E Driving Skills Test at a local DMV
Take your test with a vehicle that passes a basic inspection and has valid registration and proof of insurance
Receive no moving violation convictions for one year form the date your learner's license was issued (unless you received one moving violation where adjudication was withheld)
Provide documents to establish proof of identity

Before making an appointment for the driving test, you can use the Traffic School Completion Check tool to confirm whether your TLSAE course completion has been reported to the Florida DHSMV.

What is the minimum age to take the Florida Drug and Alcohol Course?

You must be at least 14 years old to take the Florida DMV Drug and Alcohol Course.

How old do you need to be to earn a Florida learner's permit?

You must be at least 15 years old to earn a Florida learner's permit.

How old do you need to be to earn a Florida driver license?

You must be at least 16 years old to earn a Florida driver license.

Who is exempt from taking the Drug and Alcohol course?

You do not need to take the TLSAE course if you held a driver license from any other state, country or jurisdiction. You are also exempt if you previously completed a Florida Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP), which is a driver education program offered in some high schools.

Does the TLSAE course include quizzes or a final exam?

Yes, the Drug and Alcohol Course includes five quizzes, several brief essay questions and a final exam. The final exam contains 40 multiple-choice questions. You must score at least 80 percent on the final to pass the course.

How long do I have to pass the TLSAE final exam?

You have three hours to complete the test.

Can you retake the TLSAE exam if you do not pass?

Yes, you are guaranteed to pass. If you do not pass the test on your first try, you can retake it until you do.

Are the TLSAE course and permit exam available in Spanish?

Yes, the TLSAE course and permit exam are available in English and Spanish.

How do I get my course completion certificate?

Your course completion status is automatically sent to the Florida DSMV. You do not need to provide a physical course certificate to the DMV.

Is there an age restriction for the online permit test?

Yes. Only drivers under age 18 may take the permit test online. Those ages 18 and up must take their test in person at a Florida DMV facility.

How many times can I take the online permit exam?

You can attempt the online permit exam up to three times, but you must pay to take the test again each time your fail. If you fail to pass on your third try, you must take the test in person.