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Teenagers who wish to obtain a driver’s license in Florida will have to go through a more drawn-out, costly, and difficult procedure as of July 1, 2025. I’m sorry, now it’s your time. It is a component of Senate Bill 994, a new state law that forbids online training and requires 15–17-year-olds to enroll in a state-approved in-person course.
Even though it may sound absurd, the goal is to increase road safety. Numerous families are already cautioning that it will be a challenging obstacle to overcome, particularly in low-income and rural settings.However, a significant portion of road accidents involve young individuals, so perhaps it’s best to be safe than sorry.
It changes everything
Up until now, obtaining a license only required passing the online TLSAE course, which is a standard traffic and substance course. That will end in July, though. The following criteria will apply under the new rule:
- Attend a state-approved in-person course
- Pass a 50-question written exam
- Pass vision and hearing tests and submit documentation
- And as always, complete 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) and hold the permit for at least one year before applying for a full license
Why was this law passed?
The bill’s sponsor, Senator Jay Collins, who is also the father of an adolescent, claims he wants to decrease accidents involving young people and encourage more responsible driving. “As a parent, I think teens need more serious training,” he says. He and other pro-law advocates say that face-to-face instruction provides a more comprehensive explanation of the actual risks of driving while intoxicated or distracted.
Indeed, a number of studies back up the claim that improved driving behaviors are produced by more structured driving instruction. Tightening up road safety for teenagers is a good idea because they typically don’t feel the risk or anything similar.
But who is really affected?
The issues start at this point. Although the concept may seem appealing, not everyone is equally impacted by the law. It will be considerably more difficult for teens who live in rural regions because there aren’t always local centers that provide in-person programs, and going requires more planning, money, and time. Additionally, the cost of in-person classes is higher than that of online ones.
Additionally, it’s uncertain if all school systems can accommodate the volume of pupils who would now need to attend in-person training. Long travels to recognized facilities or waiting lists could result from this.
What can families do?
Authorities advise families to start the paperwork early, determine the cost of the course, and find out as soon as possible if there are accredited centers nearby. Planning and organization.
More burden for already struggling families
For many families, this is just one more item that makes life more difficult. The procedure becomes more difficult when multiple children are attempting to obtain a license because of the cost of the course, the time required to arrange everything, and the pressure to minimize delays. Although the state has stated that it will increase the number of in-person facilities, it has not specified how or when this will happen.
And be careful, it s not the only new law
Florida recently imposed stricter penalties for drivers who push the accelerator too far, known as “super speeders,” as if that weren’t enough. Now, there will be far harsher punishments, which may include jail time in certain situations.
Their message is clear: they want fewer accidents and more control over the roads. However, many already overburdened families face additional obstacles as a result of such control.
