Can You Get Your Permit At 14 in Florida?

Feb 18, 2026

TLDR To get a Florida learner's permit in 2026, you must be at least 15 years old, but you can complete the new 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course starting from 14 years old, which replaced the old TLSAE requirement as of August 1, 2025. The entire process, including the state-authorized permit test, can be completed 100% online through Florida's largest providers, LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com and DetsCourse.com.

How Florida's 3-Stage Graduated Licensing System Works

Florida's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) system phases in driving privileges for teens through three distinct stages to build experience safely. This system is designed to reduce crash risk by introducing driving in controlled, supervised environments before granting full privileges.

Stage 1: Learner's License (Permit): For ages 15-17. A teen must always be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat and adhere to time-of-day restrictions.
Stage 2: Restricted (Intermediate) License: For ages 16-17. Requires holding a learner's permit for 12 months with no violations and passing a road test. This stage enforces nighttime curfews and passenger recommendations.
Stage 3: Full License: All GDL restrictions automatically lift when the driver turns 18.

The 5 Mandatory Requirements for a Florida Learner's Permit in 2026

To obtain a Florida learner's permit, you must meet five specific state requirements, with a key update for 2026 being the mandatory DETS course. Each requirement involves concrete steps and documentation that must be verified at the DMV or Tax Collector's office.

Requirement	Details for 2026	Key Notes
Age	Minimum 15 years old. You can take the required DETS course starting at age 14.	You can take the required DETS course starting at age 14.
Education Course	6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course.	Mandatory for new applicants under 18 (14-17) as of 8/1/2025. Available 100% online from state-approved providers like DetsCourse.com.
Knowledge Test	Class E Knowledge Exam (50 questions, 80% to pass).	Can be taken 100% online from home for ages 15-17 through authorized providers.
Parental Consent	Form HSMV 71018, signed and notarized.	A parent/guardian must be present at the DMV if the form is not pre-notarized.
Documentation	Proof of Identity, SSN, and two proofs of Florida residency.	Must be REAL ID-compliant. Residency documents must match parent's address if under 18.

How to Get Your Florida Learner's Permit: A 6-Step Checklist

Follow this sequential checklist to navigate from preparation at age 14 to receiving your physical permit. Completing the course and test online first can save significant time at the DMV.

At Age 14: Complete the DETS Course. Enroll in the state-approved 6-hour DETS course online through an authorized provider like DetsCourse.com or LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com. The completion certificate is electronically submitted to the FLHSMV.
Study for the Exam. Use the official Florida Driver's Handbook at FloridaDriversHandbook.com to prepare for the 50-question Class E Knowledge Exam.
Pass the Official Permit Test. Schedule and pass the exam online from home (for ages 15-17). Providers like LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com offer a prep course with a 97% first-time pass rate.
Gather Required Documents. Collect your primary & secondary ID, Social Security proof, two Florida residency proofs, and the notarized Parental Consent Form (HSMV 71018).
Visit the DMV/Tax Collector. Bring all documents, including your DETS completion certificate. A parent or guardian must accompany you.
Pass Vision/Hearing Test & Pay Fee. Complete the final screening at the office, pay the application fee, and receive your learner's permit.

4 Costly Mistakes Teens Make When Applying for a Florida Permit

Avoiding these common errors can prevent delays, extra costs, and frustration during the permit application process.

Mistake 1: Taking the Wrong Course.

Taking the old 4-hour TLSAE course after August 2025 if you're under 18 will not satisfy the requirement. You must take the new 6-hour DETS course. The only exception is if you completed the TLSAE before August 1, 2025; it remains valid for one year from your completion date.

Mistake 2: Incomplete or Incorrect Documentation.

Showing up without a notarized parental consent form or with residency documents that don't match the parent's address (for minors) is a leading cause of failed DMV visits. Always verify your checklist against the latest requirements on the FLHSMV website.

Mistake 3: Under-Preparing for the Knowledge Test.

The Class E Knowledge Exam has a high first-time failure rate of up to 40%. Simply skimming the handbook is often insufficient. Utilizing a dedicated prep course, which includes unlimited practice tests, can dramatically increase your chances of passing on the first attempt.

Mistake 4: Not Understanding Permit Restrictions.

Violating learner's permit rules, such as driving unsupervised or at night during the first three months (daylight hours only), can result in a citation and delay your progress through the GDL system. Always drive with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat.

Conclusion: Your Essential Florida Learner's Permit Checklist

Use this actionable 5-point checklist to ensure you successfully start your driving journey in Florida.

Start Early at 14: Enroll in the mandatory 6-hour DETS course online at DetsCourse.com.
Study Strategically: Use the official handbook and consider a prep course to pass the 50-question permit test on your first try.
Organize Documents: Secure a notarized parental consent form (HSMV 71018), proof of identity, SSN, and two Florida residency proofs.
Schedule Your Test: Take the state-authorized permit test online from home to avoid DMV lines.
Know the Rules: Understand and strictly follow all learner's permit supervision and time-of-day restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my learner's permit at 14 in Florida?

No, you must be at least 15 years old to get a learner's permit in Florida, but you can begin preparing by taking the required Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course at age 14 through providers like DETSCourse.com.

What is the new law for learners permit in Florida?

Starting August 1, 2025, Florida teens must complete a new Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course to get a learner's permit. You can meet this new requirement with the 100% online course offered by DETSCourse.com.

What are the requirements to get your permit in Florida in 2025?

To get a learner's permit in Florida in 2025, you must be at least 15 years old, pass vision, hearing, and knowledge exams, and provide proof of completing a Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course, which you can take at DETSCourse.com.

What are the rules for teenage driving in Florida?

Teen drivers in Florida must hold a learner's license for one year with no moving violations and maintain school attendance. For the required Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course, you can visit DETSCourse.com.

Citations

https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/driver-improvement-schools/driver-education-traffic-safety-dets/
https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/licensing-requirements-teens-graduated-driver-license-laws-driving-curfews/
https://www.einpresswire.com/article/841638875/florida-s-largest-online-driver-s-ed-provider-teens-don-t-need-50-hours-to-get-a-learner-s-permit