Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Ed: Rules and Eligibility

Texas lets a parent, stepparent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian teach a teen drivers ed, as long as the instructor meets driving record rules and is authorized through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The process starts with a $20 non-refundable online application, and the course itself comes from a TDLR-approved provider.

Parent-taught drivers ed (often called PTDE) can save money and fit a family's schedule, but it is a real commitment. Here is who qualifies and how the steps work.

Key takeaways

• Eligible instructors: parent, stepparent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian, or a designated alternate who meets the same rules.
• Driving record matters. DPS, not TDLR, decides eligibility based on the record, and checks it twice.
• Apply online with TDLR ($20, non-refundable), then download the program guide.
• Buy the course from a TDLR-approved provider: 24 classroom hours and 44 in-car hours, including at least 10 at night.
• Plan on at least 7 weeks of daily instruction.
• One application covers one parent and one student.

Who can be the instructor

TDLR says a parent, stepparent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian may teach. Parents and legal guardians can also designate an alternate instructor, who must meet the same eligibility requirements.

Texas law adds conditions for a designated person who is not a relative. Under Texas Education Code section 1001.112, that person must be at least 25 years old, have at least seven years of driving experience, and may not charge a fee.

Driving record requirements

Section 1001.112 also sets driving record rules for every instructor. In summary, the instructor must:

• Have held a valid license for the preceding three years
• Not have had a license suspended, revoked or forfeited in the past three years for an offense involving operating a motor vehicle
• Not have a conviction for criminally negligent homicide
• Not have a driving while intoxicated conviction in the past seven years
• Not have, in the past three years, three or more moving violations, or two or more moving violations that resulted in a collision

For the exact wording, read the statute or the official Texas statutes site.

TDLR adds one more: instructors with a B restriction on their driver license don't qualify.

Who checks the record

TDLR says it does not approve or deny parent instructors based on driving record; only DPS does. DPS checks the instructor's record twice: when the student applies for the learner license and again for the provisional license. You can request your own driving record first to avoid surprises.

Student requirements

• Age: DPS says driver education courses are available starting at age 14.
• School: TDLR says students under 18 without a diploma or equivalent must have been enrolled in a school for at least the past 80 days, or in a high school equivalency program for at least the past 45 days. DPS will also ask for a diploma, GED or Verification of Enrollment and Attendance (VOE) form at the learner license stage.
• Name: the student's name must exactly match the birth certificate and other DPS documents. TDLR warns that corrections later require a written request.

The steps, start to finish

Based on TDLR's getting started guide and requirements page:

1. Confirm eligibility for both instructor and student.
2. Apply to TDLR for instructor authorization. The $20 application is online only; paper applications are not accepted. Each application covers one parent and one student, so siblings need separate applications.
3. Download the program guide from the Parent Instructor Portal. It is also sent by email, so check spam folders.
4. Buy a classroom course from a licensed provider that holds the parent-taught endorsement. Providers set their own prices.
5. Get the learner license. After enough classroom hours, the teen applies at a DPS office. TDLR says to bring the program guide receipt. Classroom options are concurrent (6 hours before the permit) or block (all 24 hours first), per DPS.
6. Complete the in-car phase and keep the driving log.
7. Complete ITTD, the free Impact Texas Teen Drivers video, after behind-the-wheel training and no more than 90 days before the driving test. See Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD): What It Is and When to Take It.
8. Test for the provisional license. Bring the program guide receipt and the 30-hour driving log, per TDLR. The teen must have held the learner license for at least six months.

TDLR says instructors must accompany the student to the DPS office on two occasions.

The required hours

According to TDLR's course structure:

Phase	Hours
Classroom	24
In-car observation	7
Behind-the-wheel training	7
Behind-the-wheel instruction (practice)	30
Night driving (within the in-car hours)	At least 10

TDLR describes the commitment as at least 7 weeks of daily instruction with your student. DPS's provisional license page likewise requires 30 hours of driving practice, with at least 10 at night.

For how Texas compares with other states, see Learner's Permit Practice Hours by State: A Log Guide.

The parent's role

TDLR's roles and responsibilities page says the parent instructor confirms eligibility, applies for the designation, buys the course from an approved provider, teaches the classroom and behind-the-wheel parts, makes sure the student passes the written exam, and helps the student get the learner and provisional licenses. The course provider issues the Texas Driver Education Certificate of Completion, which must be given to DPS.

Is parent-taught right for your family?

It can work well if you have the time, patience and a clean record. Consider a licensed driving school if:

• Your schedule can't support weeks of daily lessons
• Your driving record doesn't meet the rules above
• Your teen learns better from someone outside the family
• You want professional help with harder skills like highway merging

You can also book a few lessons with a professional instructor on top of parent-taught practice, for skills you find hard to teach. Whatever you choose, confirm that any provider or school is licensed by TDLR. Our guide How to Find a Licensed Driving School in Your State explains how.

FAQ

Who can teach parent-taught drivers ed in Texas?

A parent, stepparent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian, or an alternate designated by a parent or guardian. Everyone must meet the driving record rules, and a non-relative designee must be at least 25 with seven years of driving experience.

How much does Texas parent-taught drivers ed cost?

TDLR charges a $20 non-refundable application fee. You also buy the course from an approved provider, and providers set their own prices.

Can a DWI disqualify a parent instructor?

Yes. Under Texas Education Code section 1001.112, an instructor may not have a driving while intoxicated conviction in the past seven years.

How many hours does parent-taught drivers ed take?

24 classroom hours and 44 in-car hours (7 observation, 7 behind-the-wheel training and 30 practice hours), with at least 10 hours at night. TDLR says to plan on at least 7 weeks of daily instruction.

Find a verified driving school

If parent-taught isn't the right fit, or you want a few professional lessons, find licensed Texas driving schools in our directory and look for the verified check mark.