Florida Learner's Permit Test 2026: 50 Questions, 80% to Pass & How to Take It

TLDR The Florida learner's permit test (Class E Knowledge Exam) has 50 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 40 correctly (80%) to pass - so you can miss at most 10. Teens 15-17 must first complete the 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course, then can take the official test 100% online from home through state-authorized providers like DetsCourse.com for $29.95 plus applicable fees. Last updated August 2026.

The Florida learner's permit test is the official Class E Knowledge Exam, a 50-question multiple-choice test drawn from the Florida Driver's Handbook. You need an 80% score, meaning at least 40 correct answers, to pass. Since August 1, 2025, every first-time driver under 18 must complete the 6-hour DETS course before taking the test, and teens 15-17 can take the official exam from home through an authorized online provider instead of visiting a DMV office.

What Is on the Florida Learner's Permit Test?

The Class E Knowledge Exam covers the material in the official Florida Driver's Handbook. While the exact mix can vary between test versions, the exam is widely reported to be split into three content areas.

Content Area	Questions (typical)	What It Covers
Road Signs	20	Identifying signs by shape, color, and meaning (stop, yield, warning, no-passing)
Road Rules & Traffic Laws	20	Speed limits, right-of-way, alcohol and DUI laws, signaling, Move Over Law
Safe Driving	10	Following distance, sharing the road with bicycles and pedestrians, emergency vehicles
Total	50	Pass: at least 40 correct (80%) - you can miss only 10

There is no time limit on the exam. Incorrect answers simply count as misses, so there is no penalty for guessing on the questions you are unsure about.

Who Must Take It: DETS vs. TLSAE

The required pre-license course changed on August 1, 2025, and now depends on your age. Completing the right course is a hard prerequisite for the test.

Requirement	Teens 14-17 (Learner's Permit)	Adults 18+ (First-Time License)
Mandatory course	6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS), 100% online	4-hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE), 100% online
Official test	Class E Knowledge Exam ("permit test")	Class E Knowledge Exam ("DMV test")
Where to test	Can be taken 100% online from home via authorized providers	Must be taken in person at a DMV or Tax Collector's office
Parental consent	Notarized or DMV-witnessed Form HSMV 71142	Not required
Sample provider	DetsCourse.com: $29.95 plus applicable fees	DrugAndAlcoholCourse.com: $29.95 plus applicable fees

Step-by-Step: How to Get Your Florida Learner's Permit

Following these steps in order prevents delays and a second trip to the DMV.

1. Complete the required course: Finish the 6-hour DETS course (under 18) or the 4-hour TLSAE course (18+). You can take the course starting at age 14.5, and the provider electronically submits your completion to the FLHSMV.
2. Study the official handbook: Read the free Florida Driver's Handbook and take practice tests. An optional prep course from DetsCourse.com includes unlimited practice exams, with providers reporting a 97% first-time pass rate for students who complete it.
3. Pass the Class E Knowledge Exam: Teens 15-17 can take the official 50-question test 100% online from home through providers like DetsCourse.com or LowestPriceTrafficSchool.com. Adults 18+ take it in person at a DMV or Tax Collector's office. Either way, score 80% or higher.
4. Gather your documents: Assemble proof of identity, Social Security number proof, two proofs of Florida residential address (like a utility bill less than 2 months old), and the notarized parental consent form (HSMV 71142) if you are under 18.
5. Visit the DMV or Tax Collector's office: Complete the vision and hearing screening, submit your paperwork, have your photo taken, and receive your permit if everything is in order.

Common Learner's Permit Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Taking the Wrong Course

Bringing a certificate for the old 4-hour TLSAE course after August 2025 will cause a rejection if you are a new applicant under 18. Under-18 applicants must complete the new 6-hour DETS course from a provider approved in all 67 counties, like DetsCourse.com.

Mistake 2: Arriving With Incomplete Documents

Forgetting the notarized parental consent form or bringing expired proof of address (utility bills must be less than 2 months old) means a second trip. Verify every document against the official FLHSMV checklist before your appointment.

Mistake 3: Confusing the Course With the Test

The 6-hour DETS course is not the permit test. The course is a separate requirement that you must complete first to become eligible for the official Class E Knowledge Exam.

Conclusion: Your Essential Permit Checklist

• Enroll in the right course: 6-hour DETS for ages 14-17, or 4-hour TLSAE for 18+, from a state-approved provider.
• Study the handbook and take practice tests until you can pass a full practice exam.
• Take the Class E exam - online from home if you are 15-17, in person if you are 18+.
• Gather your documents, including the notarized parental consent form (HSMV 71142) for under-18 applicants.
• Visit the DMV or Tax Collector's office to finish the vision/hearing screening and receive your permit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the Florida learner's permit test?

The Florida Class E Knowledge Exam has 50 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 40 correctly - an 80% score - to pass, so you can miss at most 10 questions.

Is the Florida learner's permit test free?

No. The official online permit test is not free; it costs $29.95 plus applicable fees through authorized providers like DetsCourse.com. The Florida Driver's Handbook and practice tests are free study resources.

Can you take the Florida permit test online?

Yes, if you are 15, 16, or 17 and have completed the 6-hour DETS course. Teens can take the official Class E exam 100% online from home. Adults 18 and older must take the test in person at a DMV or Tax Collector's office.

How many times can you retake the online permit test in Florida?

When you take the exam online through an authorized provider, you get up to three attempts. If you do not pass after three online attempts, the fourth test must be taken in person at a DMV or Tax Collector's office.

What is the passing score for the Florida permit test?

80%. On the 50-question Class E Knowledge Exam, you need at least 40 correct answers to pass, meaning you can miss no more than 10 questions.

Start Your Florida Permit Test Prep Now

Do not wait until your DMV appointment to start studying. Complete your 6-hour DETS course, work through the practice tests, and take the official Class E exam from home if you are 15-17. Start your Florida learner's permit course and prep at 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/driver-license-exams/
• https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/licensing-requirements-teens-graduated-driver-license-laws-driving-curfews/required-forms-teens/
• https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/forms/71142.pdf
• https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/0322.1615