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News and Media Center

For Immediate Release:
For additional information please contact Tory Davis, Director of Communications & Community Relations at 813-635-5264

NEW DRIVER EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR TEEN DRIVERS BEGIN JULY 1, 2025

Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office Prepares Community for
a New Statewide Education Requirement for Teen Drivers

TAMPA, Fla., June 25, 2025 – The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office is informing parents and guardians that new state requirements for teen drivers aged 15-17 will take effect on July 1, 2025, following legislation recently signed by Governor DeSantis.

As the local agent for FLHSMV, the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office will implement these state-mandated changes, which require teen drivers to complete a new 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course instead of the current 4-hour Traffic Law Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course before getting their learner’s permit.

Key Dates and Transition Period:

Transition Period runs from July 1 – July 31, 2025

  • From July 1st through July 31st, the current 4-hour TLSAE course OR the new 6-hour DETS course will be accepted
  • This transition period provides families flexibility during the initial implementation month

Grandfathering Provisions through July 31, 2025

  • Teens aged 14 to 17 who complete the TLSAE course by July 31st will be grandfathered in
  • TLSAE completion certificates issued on or before July 31, 2025 will remain valid for one year from the completion date
  • Important: If teens who completed the TLSAE on or before July 31, 2025 do NOT obtain their learner’s permit within one year, they will need to complete the new 6-hour DETS course

Beginning August 1, 2025

  • All new applicants under age 18 must complete the 6-hour DETS course
  • The 4-hour TLSAE course will not be accepted for applicants under 18 (unless the course was taken on or before July 31, 2025)
  • Applicants aged 18 or older will continue using the 4-hour TLSAE course

The following groups will NOT be impacted by these new requirements:

  • Teens who were issued a Florida learner’s permit prior to August 1, 2025
  • Applicants under age 18 transferring to Florida with an out-of-state license
  • All applicants aged 18 or older

“We want to ensure our community is well-informed about these upcoming changes,” said Nancy Millan, Hillsborough County Tax Collector. “As we implement these state guidelines, our offices remain committed to providing excellent service to all families navigating the licensing process.”

Course Requirements:

The new 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course must meet or exceed the Florida Department of Education course description for Traffic Safety Classroom 1900300. FLHSMV will approve providers through a new application process.

Parents seeking information about approved course providers can visit the FLHSMV website at: https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-id-cards/education-courses/driver-improvement-schools/traffic-law-substance-abuse-education-tlsae-find-approved-listing-tlsae-course-providers/

As always, all teen applicants must also provide Real ID documents, proof of address, and parental consent when applying for their learner’s permit or driver license.

The Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office continues to work closely with FLHSMV to ensure smooth implementation of these new requirements and will provide updates as additional information becomes available.

For more information about driver license services, visit https://hctc.cbmstage.com/drivers-license-id/.