Central Florida Driving Academy
At Central Florida Driving Academy (CFDA), we build the skills, confidence, and good driving habits that last well beyond the road test. With State of Florida approved online courses and in person driving lessons led by Florida certified instructors, students gain the knowledge, hands on experience, and personalized guidance they need to succeed behind the wheel.
Start your online course or book a driving lesson today!
Tap/click any card to explore our resources.
Common Q & A’s
Get answers to popular driving and licensing questions.
Testing Help
Florida Permit
Practice Tests,
Study Guide
and Quick
Reference Sheets
Driving Simulator
Practice real-world driving situations online.
Online Courses
State-approved courses for all drivers.
Safety Programs
High School Traffic Safety Programs
SIDNE Impaired Driving Simulator
Responsible Vendor Training
Resource List
Explore helpful driving and licensing resources.
Find Your Online FLORIDA Driving Course
Tap/click on any card below and we'll show you the courses that fit your needs.
Why Choose Central Florida Driving Academy in Florida?
Central Florida Driving Academy is your trusted source for Florida driving courses, driver education, and free study tools designed to help Florida drivers become safer and more confident behind the wheel. Tap any topic to learn more.
We offer a complete selection of online Florida teen drivers education, Florida adult driver education, Basic Driver Improvement (BDI), Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI), and other defensive driving courses. Our online courses are recommended for additional practice, skill development, and driver knowledge.
Getting licensed doesn't have to be stressful or expensive. We combine high-quality online education with powerful free study tools. Practice as much as you'd like with our Free Florida Permit Practice Test, designed to closely match the Florida DHSMV knowledge exam. Build real-world confidence with our Free Driver's License Simulator, where you can practice driving scenarios in a fun, interactive environment.
From teens earning their first learner's permit and adults obtaining a Florida driver's license to drivers completing Florida BDI or ADI requirements — or anyone who simply wants to become a safer, more knowledgeable driver — Central Florida Driving Academy provides everything you need in one convenient place. Our courses are 100% online, self-paced, affordable, and supported by free study tools that help Florida drivers succeed.
How to Get a Florida Driver's License
From your first learner's permit to a full Florida Class E driver's license, here's the general path most Florida drivers follow. Always verify the latest requirements with the Florida DHSMV. Tap any step to expand the details.
You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a Florida learner's permit. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must co-sign your application and accept financial responsibility.
New drivers 18 and older must complete a Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course, also called the Drug & Alcohol course, before taking the permit exam. New drivers under 18 must instead complete a 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course, per Florida Statute 322.095.
Study the Florida Driver License Handbook and use a free Florida permit practice test to get comfortable with road signs, traffic laws, and right-of-way rules before exam day.
Visit a Florida DHSMV driver license office with proof of identity, Social Security number, and two proofs of Florida residency. Pass vision and hearing screenings and the Class E Knowledge Test to receive your learner's permit.
Log at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice — including 10 hours at night — while holding your learner's permit, with a licensed adult 21 or older in the front seat.
After holding your learner's permit for 12 months with a clean record, pass the behind-the-wheel Class E driving test covering vehicle control, parking, turns, and traffic maneuvers.
Receive your provisional Class E driver's license at 16 (with passenger and nighttime restrictions), then your full, unrestricted Florida driver's license at 18.
Florida Driver's Education Requirements
Florida requires new drivers to complete specific coursework before taking the permit exam. Here's what you need to know about TLSAE, DETS, and the Class E Knowledge Test. Tap any topic to expand the details.
Florida requires new drivers 18 and older to complete a Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course — also known as the Drug & Alcohol course — before taking the permit exam.
New drivers under 18 must complete a 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course and pass the official Class E Knowledge Test before receiving a permit, per Florida Statute 322.095.
Both the TLSAE and DETS courses are available 100% online through FLHSMV-approved providers. Study on your phone, tablet, or computer and complete the requirement at your own pace. Completion is reported to the Florida DMV by the course provider.
Central Florida Driving Academy connects you with FLHSMV-approved Florida driver education courses — including the required TLSAE/DETS courses and the official online permit exam — offered through our approved course providers.
Florida Permit Test Requirements
The Florida permit test is the Class E Knowledge Test, covering road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. Tap any topic to expand the details.
The Florida permit test is the Class E Knowledge Test, covering road signs, traffic laws, right-of-way rules, and safe driving practices from the Florida Driver License Handbook. The exam has 50 questions and you must answer at least 40 correctly to pass.
Drivers under 18 can take the official permit test online through an FLHSMV-approved third-party provider. Applicants 18 and older must take the exam at a Florida driver license office.
Before exam day, practice with our free Florida permit practice test — questions modeled on the Class E Knowledge Test covering road signs, traffic laws, and right-of-way rules. Take it as many times as you'd like to build confidence before the real exam. Start the free practice test →
Florida Traffic School & Driver Improvement Courses
Florida offers several FLHSMV-approved driver improvement and traffic school programs. Whether you're electing traffic school for a ticket, fulfilling a court order, or reinstating a license, there's an approved online option. Tap any program to learn more.
A 4-hour course for licensed drivers who receive an eligible traffic citation and elect traffic school. With an eligible election and successful completion, adjudication can be withheld and no points are assessed for the citation. Eligible drivers may elect a Basic Driver Improvement course once in any 12-month period, up to eight times in their lifetime. This election limit applies to voluntary traffic-school elections for eligible citations — it does not apply to every court-ordered or otherwise required course.
An 8-hour course for court orders or drivers who received two tickets within one year (Broward or Dade Counties).
A 12-hour course for license reinstatement or court order after serious or repeated violations.
An 8-hour court-ordered traffic school for drivers cited for aggressive driving behavior.
For drivers cited for handheld device use in a school crossing, school zone, or work zone (F.S. 316.306).
Florida Licensing Agency
Florida driver licensing is administered by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Tap any topic to expand the details.
Florida driver licensing is administered by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, officially abbreviated as FLHSMV (also written DHSMV). The agency issues learner's permits, driver's licenses, and vehicle titles statewide. Learn about the Florida DHSMV →
Many people search for it as the Florida DMV, Florida DHSMV, or Florida FLHSMV — all refer to the same agency that issues learner's permits, driver's licenses, and vehicle titles statewide.
Florida Driver's License FAQs
Quick answers to the most common questions about Florida learner's permits, driver education, and getting licensed.
You must be at least 15 years old to apply for a Florida learner's permit. A parent or legal guardian must co-sign your application and accept financial responsibility if you are under 18.
Yes. New drivers 18 and older must complete a 4-hour Traffic Law & Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course, also called the Drug & Alcohol course. New drivers under 18 must complete a 6-hour Driver Education Traffic Safety (DETS) course instead, per Florida Statute 322.095.
Drivers under 18 can take the official Class E Knowledge Test online through an FLHSMV-approved third-party provider. Applicants 18 and older must take the exam at a Florida driver license office.
You must log at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night, while holding your learner's permit. A licensed adult at least 21 years old must sit in the front seat.
Hold your learner's permit for at least 12 months, complete 50 hours of supervised driving, pass the Class E Knowledge Test and the behind-the-wheel road test, and meet Florida's graduated licensing requirements. A provisional license is available at 16 and a full license at 18.
Yes. Florida offers FLHSMV-approved online driver improvement courses, including Basic Driver Improvement (BDI) and Advanced Driver Improvement (ADI), for ticket dismissal, court orders, and license reinstatement.
BDI is a 4-hour FLHSMV-approved course for licensed drivers who receive an eligible traffic citation and elect traffic school. With an eligible election and successful completion, adjudication can be withheld and no points are assessed for the citation. Eligible drivers may elect a Basic Driver Improvement course once in any 12-month period, up to eight times in their lifetime. This limit applies to voluntary traffic-school elections for eligible citations, not to every court-ordered or otherwise required course.
ADI is a 12-hour FLHSMV-approved course required for license reinstatement or by court order after serious or repeated traffic violations.
Still Have a Florida Driving Question?
Type your question below and our instructor will answer it — learner's permits, driver education, traffic school, road test requirements, and more. Florida driving questions only.
