The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic
Development
BILL: SB 994
INTRODUCER: Senator Collins
SUBJECT: Driver License Education Requirements
DATE: March 21, 2025
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Shutes Vickers TR Favorable
2. Wells Nortelus ATD Pre-meeting
3. FP
I. Summary:
SB 994 provides that each applicant for a driver license who is 18 years of age or older must
complete an approved traffic law and substance abuse education course.
The bill also provides that each applicant for learner’s driver license must satisfactorily complete
a driver education course approved by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
which meets or exceeds the Department of Education Driver Education/Traffic Safety-Classroom
#1900300 current course description.
The bill does not appear to have a fiscal impact to state or local governments. See Section V.
Fiscal Impact Statement.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
II. Present Situation:
Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education Program for Driver License Applicants
(TLSAE)
Under Florida law, each applicant for a driver license who is not already licensed in another
jurisdiction must complete a TLSAE course, unless the applicant has satisfactorily completed a
Department of Education driver education course.
1
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.
2
Approved TLSAE courses must be updated at
the DHSMV’s request, and a course provider’s failure to do so within 90 days after such request
1
Section 322.095(1), F.S.
2
Section 322.095(2), F.S.
REVISED: BILL: SB 994 Page 2
results in the suspension of the course’s approval until such time that the updates are submitted
to and approved by the DHSMV.
3
In addition to the TLSAE course, the DHSMV approves and regulates various other driver
improvement courses.
4
Driver Education/Traffic Safety Classroom (#1900300)
The purpose of the Driver Education/Traffic Safety-Classroom #1900300 course is to introduce
students to Florida driving laws/rules of the road and safe driving behavior.
5
It also provides an
in-depth study of the contributing factors to vehicle crashes and their solutions. The content
includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• 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; and
• Effects of alcohol and other drugs on driving performance
6
Driver License Requirements
The DHSMV may issue a learner’s driver license to a person who is at least 15 years of age so as
long as they meet the following criteria:
• Has passed a written examination for a learner’s driver license;
• Has passed the vision and hearing examination administered under s. 322.12, F.S.;
• Has completed the traffic law and substance abuse education course as prescribed in s.
322.095, F.S.; and
• Meets all other requirements set forth by law and by rule of the DHSMV.
7
When operating a motor vehicle, the holder of the learner’s driver license must be accompanied
at all times by a driver who:
• Holds a valid license to operate the type of vehicle being operated; and
• Is at least 21 years of age; and occupies the closest seat of the driver of the motor vehicle.
8
3
Section 322.095(7), F.S.
4
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Driver Improvement Schools, https://www.flhsmv.gov/driver-licenses-
id-cards/education-courses/driver-improvement-
schools/#:~:text=All%20first%2Dtime%20drivers%20must,having%20to%20take%20the%20TLSAE (last visited March 3,
2025).
5
Florida Department of Education, Driver Education/Traffic Safety-Classroom #1900300,
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/20017/urlt/19-8.pdf (last visited March 3, 2025).
6
Id.
7
Section 322.1615(1), F.S.
8
Section 322.1615(2), F.S. BILL: SB 994 Page 3
A person who holds a learner’s driver license may operate the vehicle only during daylight
hours, except that the holder of a learner’s driver license may operate a vehicle until 10 p.m.,
after three months following the issuance of the learner's driver license.
9
The DHSMV is prohibited from issuing a Class E driver license to a person who is at least 16
years of age but is under 18 years of age unless the person meets the requirements of s. 322.091,
F.S., and holds a valid: (1) learner’s driver license for at least 12 months, with no moving traffic
convictions, before applying for a license; (2) learner’s driver license for at least 12 months and
who has a moving traffic conviction but elects to attend a traffic driving school for which
adjudication must be withheld; or (3) license that was issued in another state or in a foreign
jurisdiction and that would not be subject to suspension or revocation under the laws of this
state.
10
A person who is at least 16 years of age but who is under 18 years of age, must provide
certification that a parent, guardian, or other responsible adult meeting the requirements of s.
322.09, F.S., has accompanied the applicant for a total of not less than 50 hours behind-the-
wheel experience, of which not less than 10 hours must be at night.
11
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
The bill amends s. 322.095, F.S., to provide that each applicant for a driver license who is 18
years of age or older (currently all driver license applicants) must complete a TLSAE course,
unless the applicant has been licensed in another jurisdiction or has satisfactorily completed a
Department of Education driver education course offered pursuant to s. 1003.48, F.S.
The bill also amends s. 322.1615, F.S., to eliminate the requirement that each applicant for a
learner’s driver license must complete a TLSAE course, and instead, specifies that such applicant
must satisfactorily complete a driver education course approved by the DHSMV which meets or
exceeds the Department of Education/Traffic Safety-Classroom 1900300 current course
description.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
9
Section 322.1615(3), F.S.
10
Section 322.05(2), F.S.
11
Section 322.05(3), F.S. BILL: SB 994 Page 4
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The bill does not appear to have a fiscal impact to state and local governments.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 322.095 and
322.1615.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None. BILL: SB 994 Page 5
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.