STORAGE NAME: h0889c.SAC
DATE: 4/2/2025
1
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 889
TITLE: Driver License Education Requirements
SPONSOR(S): Salzman
COMPANION BILL: SB 994 (Collins)
LINKED BILLS: None
RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Government Operations
18 Y, 0 N
State Affairs
24 Y, 0 N
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill requires an applicant of a learner’s driver license to complete a driver education course that meets or
exceeds the standards of the Department of Education’s semester-long traffic safety classroom course.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
None.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill revises the requirements for a learner’s driver license. Specifically, the bill eliminates the four-hour traffic
law and substance abuse education (TLSAE) course and, instead, specifies that such applicant must satisfactorily
complete a semester-long driver education course approved by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor
Vehicles that meets or exceeds the Department of Education Driver Education/Traffic Safety-Classroom 1900300
course description. (Section 2)
The bill requires an applicant for a driver license who is 18 years of age or older to complete an approved TLSAE
course unless the applicant has been licensed in another jurisdiction or has satisfactorily completed a Department
of Education driver education course. (Section 1)
The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2025. (Section 3)
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) Course
Current law requires each applicant for a driver license who is not already licensed in another jurisdiction to
complete a four-hour
1 TLSAE course, unless the applicant has satisfactorily completed a Department of Education
(DOE) driver education course.
2 The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (DHSMV) approves TLSAE
courses, and course materials must be designed to promote safety, education, and driver awareness.
3 Approved
TLSAE courses must be updated at DHSMV’s request, and a course provider’s failure to do so within 90 days after
such request results in the suspension of the course until such time that the updates are approved by DHSMV.
4
1
Section 322.095(9), F.S., provides that the course must be a minimum of four hours devoted to course content with 30
minutes allotted for breaks.
2
S. 322.095(1), F.S.
3
S. 322.095(2), F.S.
4
S. 322.095(7), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
Department of Education Driver Education Course
Current law provides that each school district board must make a course of study and instruction in the safe and
lawful operation of a motor vehicle available to students in the secondary schools in the state.
5 The school district
can make this course available by:
Using instructional personnel employed by the district school board;
Contracting with a licensed commercial driving school; or
Contracting with a certified instructor.
6
The driver education courses assist DHSMV in providing Class E driver license exam services to minors enrolled in
such classes. Only DOE-approved driver education courses meeting certain requirements are permitted to
participate. Requirements include that the instructional personnel must be DOE-certified teachers with a driver
education endorsement; each school participating must be included in a public or private secondary education
program; and courses must follow DOE curriculum framework and student performance standards approved by
the local school board’s pupil progression plan. There are two approved driver education curriculum frameworks:
Driver Education/Traffic Safety—Classroom 1900300.
Driver Education/Traffic Safety—Classroom and Laboratory 1900310.
Students who complete their driver license exams through an approved course in public or private schools will
have their results entered into DHSMV’s records systematically or by their driver education teacher. Exam results
will be used for the issuance of a learner’s or Class E driver license. However, DHSMV or a tax collector licensing
agent may test any student on a random basis before issuing a driver license.
7
Driver Education/Traffic Safety-Classroom 1900300
The Driver Education/Traffic Safety-Classroom 1900300 course is a half-credit elective course aimed at
introducing students to Florida’s driving laws and rules of the road and safe driving behavior.
8 It also provides an
in-depth study of the contributing factors to vehicle crashes and their solutions. The course content includes the
following topics:
Meaning and responsibilities of a driver license.
Laws that govern the operation of a motor vehicle.
Knowledge of Florida’s Graduated Driver Licensing laws.
Vehicle control and traffic procedures.
Knowledge of sharing the road with other types of vehicles and vulnerable road users.
Defensive driving strategies.
Physical and mental factors that affect driving ability.
Effects of alcohol and other drugs on driving performance.
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Driver License and Learners License Requirements
DHSMV may not issue a driver license to a person who is at least 16 years of age, but is under 18 years of age,
unless the person holds a valid learner’s driver license for at least 12 months before applying for a license.
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DHSMV may issue a learner’s driver license to a person who is at least 15 years of age as long as such person meets
the following criteria:
Has passed a written examination for a learner’s driver license.
Has passed the vision and hearing examination.
Has completed the TLSAE course.
Meets all other requirements set forth by law and by rule of DHSMV.
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5
S. 1003.48(1), F.S.
6
S. 1003.48(2), F.S.
7
FLHSMV, Driver Education Licensing Assistance Program (DELAP) Overview (last visited Mar. 28, 2025); see also DHSMV,
Official Florida Driver License Handbook, p.19 (last visited Mar. 28, 2025).
8
R. 6A-1.09412, F.A.C
9
Id.
10
S. 322.05(2), F.S.
11
S. 322.1615(1), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
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BILL HISTORY
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE
STAFF
DIRECTOR/
POLICY CHIEF
ANALYSIS
PREPARED BY
Government Operations
Subcommittee
18 Y, 0 N 3/25/2025 Toliver Walker
State Affairs Committee 24 Y, 0 N 4/2/2025 Williamson Walker