The online Florida Drug and Alcohol Course, officially known as the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course, is the simplest way for drivers 18 and up to meet state requirements to earn a Florida driver license.
Approved by Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), this four-hour course covers major Florida traffic laws and a wide range of topics related to drug and alcohol use. You'll learn how alcohol and other drugs affect your ability to drive and increase the risk of serious collisions.
You can complete the online course at your own pace on any web-enabled device. The course includes free electronic reporting of your course completion to the FLHSMV.
Florida DMV Drug and Alcohol Course Details
Satisfies Training Requirements for:
Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course
Approved by:
Designed for:
Florida residents 18 and up seeking a driver license
Provides:
Free electronic reporting of course completion to FLHSMV
Format:
100% online course
Support:
Live chat customer support
Who Needs to Take the Florida DMV Drug and Alcohol Course?
The TLSAE program is designed for first-time drivers 18 and older who are seeking their Florida driver license. This training is mandatory for any adult who has never held a driver license from another state or country.
In addition, licensed drivers who commit certain drug- or alcohol-related violations may be ordered by the court to take the TLSAE course. This is typically required for drivers under age 21 who receive a suspension notice after being cited for driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.02 to 0.05.
These drivers must pass the TLSAE course before they can reinstate their driver license on hardship. With a hardship license, you are permitted to drive only for employment or business purposes.
Benefits of the Florida Drug and Alcohol Course
Florida created the TLSAE program more than 30 years ago to reduce rates of drunk driving accidents and deaths among new drivers.
Since then, drunk driving deaths in Florida have fallen. However, when the program started, there was no online option. Students had to take the class in person at a DMV location.
With our 100% online Drug and Alcohol Course, you can study on your own time and complete the program at your own pace. You can take breaks at your convenience and pick up exactly where you left off when you log back in.
What Will I Learn in the TLSAE Course?
The Florida Drug and Alcohol Course explains the harmful effects of alcohol and illicit drugs. As you progress through the timed modules, you'll learn how these substances affect the body, impair driving and increase the risk of accidents and addiction.
The course also covers basic Florida traffic laws, alcohol-related driving laws and state licensing requirements. You can find a full overview of the course modules below.
Course Introduction
- Introduction
- Substance Use/Abuse Questionnaire
- Collision Awareness Module
Module 1: Physiological Factors
- Alcohol and Drug Absorption and Elimination
- Short-Term Effects on the Body
- Long-Term Effects on the Body
- Effects of Different Types of Drugs
Module 2: Physiological Factors Part 2
- Synergistic Effect
- Equivalency of Alcoholic Drinks
- Physiological Aspects of Use, Abuse, Dependence and Addiction
- Warning Labels
- Dealing with Stress, Fatigue, Emotional Distress and Attitude
Module 3: Psychological Factors
- Psychological Aspects of Use, Abuse, Dependence and Addiction
- The Cost of Addiction
- Personal/Economic Costs and Legal Problems
- Loss of Judgment
- Alcohol as a Gateway Drug
- The Use of Alcohol
Module 4: Societal and Economic Costs of Alcohol and Drug Abuse
- Cost of Alcohol and Drug Abuse in the Operation of a Motor Vehicle
- The Risk to Sober Drivers from Drunk Drivers
- How Impaired Driver Actions Affect Others
- Preventing Drinking and Driving
Module 5: Effect of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse on the Driver of a Motor Vehicle
- Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs
- Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse on the Motor Skills and Vision
- Categories of Drugs and How They Affect Driving
- When Does Impairment Begin?
- Ways to Avoid Driving Impaired
Module 6: Major Traffic Laws of Florida
- Graduated Licensing and Insurance Requirements
- Alcohol-Related Driving Laws
- Your Driving Privilege
- Safety Equipment
Module 7: Major Traffic Laws of Florida Part 2
- Basic Driving Laws and Concepts
- Additional Considerations
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the steps to getting your Florida driver license?
To earn your Florida driver license, you must:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Hold a learner's permit for at least one year or reach your 18th birthday — whichever comes first
- Provide a Certification of Minor Driving Experience Form to prove you have 50 hours of driving experience
- Pass the Class E Driving Skills Test at a local DMV
- Take your test with a vehicle that passes a basic inspection and has valid registration and proof of insurance
- Receive no moving violation convictions for one year from the date your learner's license was issued (unless you received one moving violation where adjudication was withheld)
- Provide documents to establish proof of identity
If you are 18 or older and have never held a license from any other state or country, you must also complete the TLSAE course.
Before making an appointment for the driving test, you can use the Traffic School Completion Check tool to confirm whether your TLSAE course completion has been reported to the Florida DHSMV.
What is the minimum age to take the Florida Drug and Alcohol Course?
The Florida DMV Drug and Alcohol Course is designed for first-time license applicants ages 18 and up. While minors do not need to complete the course to earn their first permit or license, they may need to take it in certain court-ordered cases or license hardship situations.
How old do you need to be to earn a Florida driver license?
You must be at least 16 years old to earn a Florida driver license.
Who is exempt from taking the Drug and Alcohol course?
You do not need to take the TLSAE course if you held a driver license from any other state, country or jurisdiction. You are also exempt if you previously completed a Florida Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP), which is a driver education program offered in some high schools.
Does the TLSAE course include quizzes or a final exam?
Yes, the Drug and Alcohol Course includes five quizzes, several brief essay questions and a final exam. The final exam contains 40 multiple-choice questions. You must score at least 80 percent on the final to pass the course.
How long do I have to pass the TLSAE final exam?
You have three hours to complete the test.
Can you retake the TLSAE exam if you do not pass?
Yes, you are guaranteed to pass. If you do not pass the test on your first try, you can retake it until you do.
Are the TLSAE course and permit exam available in Spanish?
How do I get my course completion certificate?
Your course completion status is automatically sent to the Florida DSMV. You do not need to provide a physical course certificate to the DMV.
