Free Online Parent Taught Drivers Ed for Texas Teens

Why do I need an instructor?

While this course will help teach you the rules of driving, this course is still a Parent Taught Drivers Ed course. What does that mean? Well, you still need an eligible instructor to help you learn to drive in real life. There are some restrictions as to who can be an instructor, so read on and make sure whoever you have in mind can legally be your instructor.

How to determine if your instructor is eligible

• Your parent instructor can be your parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent, legal guardian, or an Individual designated by a parent, legal guardian, or judge.
  • If your instructor is a designated individual, they must also have the following qualifications:
    • is at least 25 years old;
    • does not charge a fee for conducting the course; and
    • has at least seven years of driving experience.
• The instructor must have a valid driver license for the prior three years. If they held an out-of-state license during the past three years, they will be required to provide a copy of their driving record showing their three years of licensed driving history.
• Instructors cannot have:
  • a conviction (including a probated sentence) of criminally negligent homicide
  • a conviction (including a probated sentence) of driving while intoxicated in the last seven years
  • had their driver license suspended, revoked or forfeited for traffic related violations in the past three years; or six or more points assigned to their driver license.

It is your responsibility to determine if your instructor is eligible. If you do not have an eligible instructor send an email to contact@parenttaught.com and we’ll find a solution to help get you on the road!

What do I need to do?

The Parent Taught Drivers Ed Packet is required to be purchased from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. This is a state requirement and needs to happen before you can continue the course. But don’t worry you can purchase the packet in under 5 minutes, completely online.

How do I do it?

The easiest way is to purchase the packet online.

1. Purchase the Request for Parent Taught Driver Education Instructor Designation Service Application from TDLR.
   • The application costs $20. After you purchase the application, you will receive an email with a download link. Check your spam and junk folders if you do not see the email in your inbox.

Quick Tips

• If you purchased the PTDE packet and had it emailed you can continue with the course. You do not have to wait for it to physically arrive.
• Having an issue with your order? Contact the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) directly:
  • Phone: 800-803-9202
  • Contact Form
  • Check the status of your purchase

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Where

To get your learner license you’ll need to go to your local DPS office.

Cost

A learner license costs $16, this fee is paid to the DPS not ParentTaught.com. You can pay with a money order, cash, credit, or check.

What To Bring

• DE-964 Learner License Certificate (Printed in Color)

• The person who is your officially designated instructor (they need to physically come with you)
• Your Parent/Legal Guardian (they need to physically come with you)
  • This is most likely the same person as your designated instructor
• Proof of PTDE Program Guide Packet Purchase
  • The first page of your PTDE Program Guide Packet.
  • If you can’t find the packet or lost the receipt go to the TDLR website to find it again. If you still can’t get it to work you need to call the TDLR at 800-803-9202.
• Parent Taught Instructor Designation Form
  • This form is only required if your parent/legal guardian is not the instructor!
• Application for an Original Texas Driver License (DL-14A)
  • Do not sign until at the DPS and instructed to do so!
• Proof of Texas residency
• Proof of identity and lawful US presence
  • US Passport, or US certificate of citizenship (full list)
  • OR
  • Birth certificate AND Social Security Card AND Report Card/Immunization Record/School ID
• Social Security Card
  • Originals only, no copies allowed
• Verification of Enrollment (VOE)
• $16 Learner License Fee
• Classroom Instruction Log (DL-91A) (Appendix E)
  • From your PTDE packet
  • The dates completed must be on or after the date you received the PTDR Program Guide Packet from the TDLR (Only enter dates for Lesson 1)
  • You no longer need to bring the Classroom Instruction Driver Education Affidavit

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How

With your instructor you’ll need to complete the following:

• 7 hours of in car observation sitting beside the instructor, watching the instructor demonstrate certain points of instruction
• 7 hours of in car observation driving and demonstrating to the instructor that you have learned the points of instruction

You’ll log these hours in your driving log. You can use the Driving Manager resource to assist you and your instructor.

Instruction Limits

Keep in mind you may not be instructed more than two hours in one day. These two hours can be made up of:
Two hours of classroom instruction; or
One hour of classroom instruction and one hour of in-car instruction or practice;

You may only complete one hour of behind-the-wheel instruction per day.

How

With any licensed driver over the age of 21 (or your instructor) you’ll need to complete the following:

• 30 hours of behind the wheel driving practice, of which at least 10 hours must be at night with a licensed driver 21 years of age or older in the vehicle at all times

You’ll log these hours in your driving log.

Instruction Limits

You may only complete one hour of behind-the-wheel instruction per day. So completing this requirement will take a minimum of 30 days.

The Impact Texas Teen Drivers program (ITTD) is a free, 2 hour informational video that shares the dangers of distracted driving along with real life stories of teens that have lost their lives. You have 90 days from the date you successfully complete the program to pass the driving skills exam. If you do not pass, you will be required to complete the program again. The course can be accessed from this web address: https://impacttexasdrivers.dps.texas.gov/ITTD/.

Requirements

Make sure these steps are completed before you apply for your license:

• Have your learner’s permit for 6 months
• Be at least 16 years old
• Complete Driver Education (This course!) and your driving hours
• Complete the free “Impact Texas Teen Drivers” course within 90 days of your driving test

If you meet the above requirements, schedule an appointment online.

Where

To get your Provisional Driver License license you’ll need to go to your local DPS office.

Cost

A Provisional Driver License costs $16, this fee is paid to the DPS not ParentTaught.com. You can pay with a money order, cash, credit, or check.

What To Bring

When you are ready to apply for a provisional driver license and have completed all the learner license requirements, you will need to visit a driver license office and provide additional documentation.

• DE-964 Provisional Driver License Certificate (Printed in Color)

• The person who is your officially designated instructor (they need to physically come with you)
• Your Parent/Legal Guardian (they need to physically come with you)
  • This is most likely the same person as your designated instructor
• Your Learner’s Permit
• Proof of PTDE Program Guide Packet Purchase
  • The first page of your PTDE Program Guide Packet.
  • If you can’t find the packet or lost the receipt go to the TDLR website to find it again. If you still can’t get it to work you need to call the TDLR at 800-803-9202.
• Application for an Original Texas Driver License
  • Form DL-14B if you are under 17 years and 10 months of age.
  • Form DL-14A if you are above 17 years and 10 months of age.
  • Complete the driver license application before arriving for your appointment. (This form is also available at all driver license offices)
  • Do not sign until at the DPS and instructed to do so!
• 14 Hour Behind-The-Wheel Instruction Log
  • This denotes the time spent with your Designed Instructor
• 30 Hour Driving Log
  • Found on Page 12 of your PTDE Program Guide Packet
• Proof of Texas residency
• Proof of identity and lawful US presence
  • US Passport, or US certificate of citizenship (full list)
  • OR
  • Birth certificate AND Social Security Card AND Report Card/Immunization Record/School ID
• A Car (for your driving test), it also needs to have
  • Proof of Car Insurance
    • For the car you’re taking the driving test in, your name is NOT required to be on the insurance.
  • A Current Registration Sticker
  • Two License Plates (one in the front and one in the back)
• Glasses or Contacts
  • Only if you are required to wear them while driving
• Driving Shoes
  • No flip flops or heels
• Social Security Card
  • Originals only, no copies allowed
• Verification of Enrollment (VOE)
• $16 Provisional Driver License Fee
• Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) Program Certificate of Completion
• Bring a parent or legal guardian or bring the notarized application signed by the parent or guardian and visit your local driver license office. Visit Driver License Services – Appointments to make an appointment at a driver license office. 
• Evidence of lawful presence, if you are not a U.S. Citizen
• Proof of Identity
• Evidence of successfully passing the driving test (if you took the driving test at a driver training school, the results must be provided by the school in a sealed envelope and provided to DPS at the time you are applying for your license)
• If the DPS says you need another form (for example, forms DL-90A, DL-90B, or DL-91A), please email TPSTprogram@dps.texas.gov with the full name of your child, the DPS location and the issue you are having. These forms have been phased out. Please note: We cannot resolve issues with your local DPS office.

You may complete the driving test requirements at the DL office or through a Third Party provider. Read about testing in other languages and driving test requirements.

After you get your Driver License

Once your driver license has been issued, you will receive a temporary driver license. Before leaving the driver license office, review the printed information on your temporary driver license for accuracy. If any of the information is incorrect, notify the License and Permit Specialist. Your new card will arrive in the mail in approximately 2 – 3 weeks. To check the mailing status of your card, visit the DPS mailing status web page.

You are eligible to renew your driver license up to 30 days prior to the expiration date, which will occur on your 18th birthday. You are eligible to renew online by visiting https://www.dps.texas.gov/driver. The cost is the same as renewing at a driver license office. If you choose to renew in person before you turn 18, you will need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. If you renew in person after your 18th birthday, you will no longer need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian; however, you must make alternate transportation arrangements to visit your local driver license office, as it is a violation of state law to operate a motor vehicle with an expired driver license.