Teen
Driver’s Education
What Is Parent-Taught Driver’s Ed?
Back in the pre-Internet days, students learning to drive were
required to sit in a classroom, either during school hours or on the
weekends, and learn the rules of the road from a certified instructor.
Boring! Since 1997, Texas Driver’s Ed students have had the
opportunity to meet their driver’s education requirements by taking a
Parent-Taught Driver’s Ed course through an approved online
provider.
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How to Start Parent-Taught
Drivers Ed in Texas
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Information and Resources
to keep teens safer on the road!
TX
DR
TEXAS
Parent-Taught Driver’s Ed
IVER’S ED
Getting a Texas driver’s license is an exciting
time for a teen. It’s important to get them
started down the road with all the right info,
including driver’s education requirements and
the specifics on Texas Parent-Taught Driver’s Ed.
Age and Eligibility:
In Texas, teens as young as 14 can start
learning the rules of the road in a driver’s
education course.
Completion of a Driver’s Ed course is required for
any potential driver under the age of 24.
Learn More
An online Texas Parent-Taught Driver’s Ed course gives students the freedom to fulfill their driver’s education
requirement in a more flexible manner — from home. As the name states, parents are allowed to act as a
driving instructor, helping students fulfill their behind-the-wheel driver’s training portion while also
completing their written driver’s education without paying extra to learn from someone else.
In addition, with a Texas parent-taught driver’s education course, students can start studying as early as 14
years of age.
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Teen
Driver’s Education
Information and Resources to keep teens safer on the road!

Parent Taught Driver’s Ed Texas Requirements
Every driver under the age of 18 is required to take Driver’s Ed in Texas. If you’re not sure what you need to do,
we’ve got all the details on how you can complete your course while minimizing the hassle.
If you’re under the age of 18 and hoping to get your Texas driver’s license, you are required to take a driver’s
education course. To make the process as easy as possible, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked
questions regarding Texas Driver’s Ed.

Can I Take It Online?
Yes. The purpose of a parent-taught driver’s education course is to allow parents and students the opportunity
to fit Texas Driver’s Ed into their busy lives. No textbook is required – you’ll read, study, and learn right on your
computer.
Bear in mind, though, if you’re considering signing up for a Texas Driver’s Ed online course, you’ll want to
ensure your provider is approved by the Texas DPS. If not, you’ll be wasting your time and money. In addition,
teens between the ages of 14 and 17 are eligible to take a parent-taught driver’s education course online, but
will need to finish before their 18th birthday to get credit.

Is State Approval Necessary?
Yes it is! Teen drivers must select a course that has earned approval from the Texas Department of Public Safety
(DPS).
In addition, a parent, grandparent, step-parent, step-grandparent, foster parent, or legal guardian is required to
gain approval from the Texas DPS to act as an instructor.
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Teen
Driver’s Education
Information and Resources to keep teens safer on the road!
A parent can submit an application form along with the $20 fee to their local DPS office. Approval will only be
granted if the parent-instructor applicant meets the following requirements:
They have held a valid Texas driver’s license for the past 3 years
They have never been convicted of driving while intoxicated
They have less than 6 points on their driving record
Their license has never been suspended or revoked for a traffic-related offense
Parents can apply for their Parent-Taught Driver’s Ed Packet by clicking here to download the necessary form.
Once they’ve received approval from the DPS, the student can begin their PTDE online course.

How Long Does Driver’s Ed Take?
All Texas driver’s education courses, whether online or in a classroom, are required to last 32 hours. In addition,
the Texas DPS requires students to take breaks in their studies, ensuring the driver’s education class is
completed in no less than 16 days.
Texas teens under 18 years of age are also required to complete a behind-the-wheel driver’s training program.
Students must spend 7 hours learning to drive with their parent instructor, then complete an additional 7 hours
of in-car practice with a licensed adult 21 years or older. Another 20 hours of driving practice is required before
a teen driver can take their driver’s license test, and 10 of those hours must be completed at night.
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Teen
Driver’s Education
Information and Resources to keep teens safer on the road!

What Topics Are Covered?
Driver’s education courses in Texas are designed to help teens understand the full range of rules, regulations,
and challenges they’ll face once they’re in the driver’s seat. Some of the basics covered in Driver’s Ed include:
Understanding traffic s nals and signs
Basic vehicle operation techniques
Skills for driving
Dangers of drinking and driving
Emergency vehicles and responses
A Texas Driver’s Ed online course will cover everything a teen will need to know to pass their DPS driver’s license
exam, while offering a broad knowledge base that will create a safe and confide t driver. If you’re looking for
more info on what it takes to get your driver’s license in Texas, you can find it on our FAQs page.
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Teen
Driver’s Education
Information and Resources to keep teens safer on the road!

Is an Online Course Easier?
Depending on your learning style, an online driver’s education course may seem easier. Some people prefer
the standard lecture-style learning that is provided in a classroom environment. On the other hand, some
teens prefer to study in shorter spurts, enjoy visual aids like animations and graphics, and require the freedom
to learn in a self-taught environment. Online courses cover the same basic driver’s education principles as
classroom courses, including:
Traffic signs and signals
Vehicle maintenance basics
Safe driving techniques
Dangers of drinking and driving
Emergency vehicles and responses
With an online Parent-Taught Driver’s Ed course, potential drivers will gain all the knowledge they need to pass
the DPS driver’s license exam, while also gaining the confidence they’ll need for success on the road
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