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Do I need the Florida drug and alcohol course (TLSAE)?

Yes, if you're 18 or older and apply for a Florida driver license, unless an exception fits you. By law, you must first take a traffic law and substance abuse course. You can skip it if another jurisdiction licensed you. You can also skip it if you finished a Department of Education driver course. The course runs at least four hours.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
At least 4 hours of course content, minus up to 30 minutes of breaksThe law sets four hours as the minimum for course content, less up to 30 minutes for breaks.
Verified. Florida Legislature · Florida Statutes 322.095 (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Who needs it
Each driver license applicant who is 18 or older must complete the courseThat is who the law covers. It says each applicant for a driver license.
Same source and date as above
Who can skip it
Skip it if licensed elsewhere or after a Department of Education driver education courseIf either one fits you, the law doesn't require the course. Ask the state which proof it wants.
Same source and date as above
Online accepted
Yes: the department approves courses delivered with communications technologyThe law says the department approves courses that use communications technology. Check that your course is one of them.
Same source and date as above
Cost
A $3 assessment fee is collected in addition to the regular course feeAsk what the price covers.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check whether the law covers you. It applies to each applicant for a Florida driver license who is 18 or older. If you were licensed in another jurisdiction, or finished a Department of Education driver education course, the law says you don't have to take it. If you're not sure which fits you, ask the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles before you pay for a course.

  2. Step 2. Pick a course the department has approved. The law says the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles must approve these courses. Ask the provider to show you that approval.

  3. Step 3. Take the course. Plan for at least four hours, which can include up to 30 minutes of breaks. Some courses use communications technology as the delivery method, so ask the provider how yours runs.

  4. Step 4. Check that your certificate is the electronic one in the department's system. The law says paper certificates are not acceptable for any licensing purpose.

Before you pay

Ask what the price covers. The law adds a $3 assessment fee to the regular course fee, collected by the school. We haven't confirmed any course price or which providers the department has approved.

Ask for every fee before you sign up. The law says providers must list all fees and can't charge one that isn't clearly listed.

You don't have to buy a certificate. The law says a provider can't require you to purchase one, and only the electronic certificate counts.

Ask the provider to confirm it will report your course to the department.

Questions

What is TLSAE?

It stands for traffic law and substance abuse education. The law says the course teaches the effects of alcohol and drug abuse on the driver of a motor vehicle, and the laws of Florida on driving a motor vehicle.

What if the provider's mistake keeps me from finishing?

The law says a student who can't attend or finish because of the provider's mistake must be able to finish at no added cost. Ask the provider about this before you pay.

Who reports my course to the state?

The provider does. The law says providers send course completion to the department within 5 days, and that this is free of charge to you.

What to do next

Read the Florida law on the traffic law and substance abuse education course before you pay. Then ask the provider to show that the department approved the course.

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