All teens look forward to the day they can finally get behind the wheel and hit the open road. Due to COVID-19, Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (HSMV) offices are closed to the public. What does that mean for driver licensing? We’re answering three questions you may have about the licensing process at this time.
1. How is COVID-19 affecting the licensing process?
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has put the licensing process on hold in Florida. Like we mentioned above, all HSMV offices are currently closed to the public. While drivers can renew or replace their current driver’s license online, it’s not currently possible for new drivers to be issued a driver’s license online through the HSMV.
To qualify for a driver’s license, drivers have to pass the Class E Driving Skills Test, which can be completed at a service center or with a third party administrator. These are not considered "essential businesses" and are therefore closed to the public for the time being. With a rapidly-evolving situation like the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s not clear yet when these restrictions will be lifted.
2. Can teens still earn their learner’s license?
At this time, teens cannot apply for their learner’s license online through the HSMV. They can, however, complete the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course online. The TLSAE course is required for anyone in Florida applying for a learner’s license or driver’s license for the first time.
If you need to complete a TLSAE course, we can help! Safe2Drive’s Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education course is available for you to complete online, and it is approved by the Florida HSMV. You must be at least 14 years old to take our course (note: you must be at least 15 years old to apply for your learner’s license). When you complete our fun online course, we submit your completion to the Florida HSMV for you. That way, when the HSMV is open to the public once again, you’ll be ready to apply for your learner’s license!
3. If the HSMV is closed, can teens still complete their permit test?
Yes! Even though the HSMV is closed to the public, teens between ages 14 and 18 years old can take the permit test (also called the Class E Knowledge Exam) online. In fact, you can take the permit test with Safe2Drive! Safe2Drive offers the Florida permit test online, and we’ll send the results directly to the HSMV for you. We even offer free online practice tests to help our students pass the permit test on their first try!
We also offer a Florida TLSAE and Permit Test bundle for teens who want to take both the TLSAE course and the permit test with us. The bundle option gives you a discount, as well as the entire TLSAE course and permit test. We’ll report your completions to the HSMV for you. By completing the TLSAE course and the permit test online with Safe2Drive, teens will be ready to apply for their learner’s permit when the HSMV opens up to the public.
The licensing process is a big step for any teen, and it’s disappointing that they will have to wait to earn their licenses. We are here to help prepare teens for the next step by still offering our online courses and processing course completions directly to the HSMV during the pandemic. Please visit our website for more information about our courses. We hope everyone is staying safe!