Teens across the Sunshine State have a few extra weeks to meet tougher education, vision, and supervision standards before hitting the road under Statute 322.1615.
Florida’s young motorists just got a summer homework assignment. After a one‑month delay, the state’s new 50‑hour Driver Education/Traffic Safety Classroom requirement kicks in on August 1, 2025. Anyone 15 or older seeking a learner’s permit must now complete this course on top of the long‑standing four‑hour Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education class, pass vision and hearing screenings, and secure a parent’s signature. Miss a step and that first license stays out of reach.
What Florida teens must do before getting behind the wheel now
Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 994 earlier this year, and lawmakers passed it unanimously to tackle a stubborn crash rate among novice drivers. Under the updated statute, applicants must:
| Requirement | New standard effective Aug. 1 | Previous standard |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom instruction | 50 hours FLHSMV‑approved safety course | None |
| Online TLSAE course | 4 hours (unchanged) | 4 hours |
| Supervised driving | Licensed adult (21+) in vehicle | Same |
| Curfew | Daylight only first 3 months | Same |
| Medical checks | Vision + hearing screenings | Same |
Before launching into those 50 hours, families are urged to download the Florida Driver’s Handbook and verify approved programs through the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website. Wondering where to find a class that fits a busy school calendar? Keep reading.
The law’s revised start date buys teens time, yet August 1 will arrive quickly. Parents must sign the permit application, monitor practice drives, and ensure teens obey the daylight‑only restriction for the first quarter. Failure to meet any condition can prompt the FLHSMV to suspend or deny driving privileges—an outcome no teen wants on the first day of junior year. So, have you scheduled that eye test yet?
Local schools and online options easing the cost of extra training
Levy County public schools already weave the 50‑hour course into their academic year, offering virtual modules plus in‑person assessments. A summer lab with certified teachers provides limited behind‑the‑wheel practice at little or no cost. Other districts are expected to announce similar hybrids, while private providers list packages that bundle the new curriculum with road‑test prep. Shoppers should compare prices, class formats, and refund policies—extra coaching can be pricey, but discounts often pop up in mid‑July.
Florida’s expanded driver education law aims to save lives by ensuring every novice logs meaningful seat time before soloing. Teens must complete a 50‑hour safety course, clear medical screens, obey a daylight curfew, and keep a licensed adult nearby until fully qualified. Families who start early, book approved classes, and track progress will glide past the August 1 deadline with keys—rather than citations—in hand.