How to Get a Driver License with Texas Parent Taught Driver Education

by Kelly Larsen

Are you looking to get a driver license in Texas and wondering if Texas Parent Taught Driver Education (PTDE) is the right course for you? After all, you have a few options when it comes to driver education, and Texas requirements can get confusing. Fear not! We're here to answer all of your questions about TX PTDE.

What is Texas Parent Taught Driver Education?

Texas Parent Taught Driver Education allows a teen's parent or legal guardian to be their instructor for driver education and behind-the-wheel instruction. This is different from Texas Teen Driver Education, in which the driver education course is completed independently by a teen.

Parent Taught Driver Education enables teens between the ages of 14 and 17 to earn their learner license and qualify for a driver license. PTDE has 2 parts to it: a 32-hour online driver education course ("classroom" instruction) and 44 hours of behind-the-wheel training (14 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and 30 hours of driving practice).

You must take a TDLR-approved Parent Taught Driver's Ed course for it to count toward your requirements. Luckily, we offer a TDLR-approved course right here! Check out our Texas Parent Taught Driver Education page to get started.

What are the eligibility requirements for Texas Parent Taught Driver's Ed?

In order to be eligible to take a Parent Taught course, a teen must meet the following requirements:

Must be at least 14 years old before starting the online course
Must be at least 15 years old in order to take the learner license exam
Must complete the entire course before 18th birthday

Parents must also meet certain eligibility requirements to serve as their teen's instructor. These requirements are:

Must be the parent, stepparent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent, or legal guardian of the teen
Must have a valid driver's license for the last three years
Must never have been convicted of/received a probated sentence for a homicide, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI)
Must not have a suspended, revoked, or forfeited driver's license within the last three years
Must not have six or more points assigned to your driver's license
Must not be disabled due to mental illness

We recommend that parents check both their driver record and criminal record before starting the course. Parents are responsible for verifying that they are eligible.

Please Note: As per Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) rules, you also MUST have a Parent Taught Driver Education Packet before starting the course.

What is the Parent Taught Driver Education Packet?

The PTDE Packet is a packet of forms and instructions for the Texas Parent Taught Driver Education course that must be ordered from the TDLR before starting the course. Parents can either fill out an online form or submit a DL-92 form to the TDLR to request a PTDE Packet.

Why do I need to have the PTDE Packet before starting the course?

When you apply for the PTDE Packet, it ensures that the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) has your instructor's information on file and officially registers the instructor with the TDLR. The TDLR requires you to have the packet before starting so that you are fully prepared to take your PTDE course. It also includes necessary forms that can only be obtained by ordering the packet.

What do I need to do to complete Texas Parent Taught Driver Education?

The process for teens to successfully complete a Parent Taught Driver Education course is as follows:

Register for our course with your parent.
Ensure that your parent has requested and obtained the Driver Education Packet by filling out the online form or by submitting a completed DL-92 form to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) at PO Box 12157, Austin, TX 78711. Your parent can check the status of the packet order online here and even download the packet there if he or she has been approved!
Start the course.
Complete the first six hours of online instruction.
Have your parent pay for the course.
Take the Knowledge Test online with us, if you choose. You can also opt to take the test at the DPS.
Receive your Six-Hour Completion Certificate (you will receive this certificate after completing 6 hours if you are taking your Knowledge Test at the DPS, and after passing your Knowledge Test if you are taking the exam online).
Prepare and submit your application (including your Six-Hour Completion Certificate) for a learner license to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Pass a written Knowledge Test at the DPS Driver License Office (unless you took it online with us) and a vision exam, and obtain your learner license.
Complete the remaining 26 hours of online instruction.
Follow the instructions in the Driver Education Packet with your parent for the behind-the wheel training.
Complete the course and get your Course Completion Certificate.
Prepare and submit your application for a driver's license to the DPS.
Take the driving exam at the Driver License Office.

How long does the Texas Parent Taught Driver Education program take to complete?

Effective October 1, 2013 Texas Law (HB 3483) changed the additional behind-the-wheel requirements from 20 to 30 hours.

If you registered September 30, 2013 or prior:

The entire program requires a minimum of 66 hours to complete. It consists of:

32 hours of online instruction
34 hours of driving training, which includes:
1. 7 hours each (for a subtotal of 14 hours) of in-car observation and behind-the-wheel instruction
2. 20 hours of additional behind-the-wheel practice sessions (in which 10 hours must be completed at night)

If you registered October 1, 2013 or after:

The entire program requires a minimum of 76 hours to complete. It consists of:

32 hours of online instruction
44 hours of driving training, which includes:
1. 7 hours each (for a subtotal of 14 hours) of in-car observation and behind-the-wheel instruction
2. 30 hours of additional behind-the-wheel practice sessions (in which 10 hours must be completed at night)

Note: The 32 hours of online instruction must not be completed in fewer than 16 calendar days (maximum 2 hours of instruction per day). The in-car observation and behind-the-wheel instruction must not be completed in fewer than 14 calendar days (maximum 1 hour per day). If doing behind-the-wheel and online instruction in the same day, you must not exceed a total of 2 hours per day.

What's the difference between in-car observation and behind-the-wheel instruction?

In-car observation is when the parent performs driving techniques while the teen sits in the car and observes the parent.

Behind-the-wheel instruction occurs when the teen performs driving techniques while the parent evaluates the teen's performance.

How do I get my Completion Certificate for TX Parent Taught Driver's Ed?

There are two separate Completion Certificates: You receive the Six-Hour Completion Certificate after you have finished the first 6 hours of the course and are ready to apply for your learner license.

Note: If you opt to take the Knowledge Test online with us, you will receive your Six-Hour Completion Certificate after you have passed the test.

You receive the regular Completion Certificate after you have completed the rest of the 32-hour course.

At Safe2Drive, both of these Certificates can be printed immediately, and will also be emailed to you and your parent.

How do I get a learner license in Texas?

First, you must meet these requirements:

Be at least 15 years old
Reside in Texas for at least 30 days prior to application
Have completed the first six hours of online classroom instruction

If you are eligible, you can visit your local Driver License Office. While you are there, you will need to do the following:

Pay the required learner license fee
Present original acceptable proof of Social Security Number:
1. Social Security Card, or
2. Social Security Affidavit DL-13 (available at the Driver License Office)
Present proof of residency. To meet the residency requirements, you must:
1. Reside in Texas for at least 30 days prior to application
2. Present two acceptable documents establishing proof of residency, one of which must demonstrate the applicant has lived in Texas at least 30 days (See examples)
3. The 30 day requirement will be waived for applicants who surrender a valid, unexpired out-of-state driver license, but two documents establishing proof of residency are still required.
Present proof of liability insurance and valid Texas registration (if the student owns a vehicle)
Pass a written Knowledge Test, if you did not take it online with us
Pass a vision exam
Present the following forms explained in the Driver Education Packet:
1. Original acceptable proof of identity (See examples)
2. Application for Texas Driver License or Identification Card (DL-14A)- Find this in your PTDE packet.
3. Classroom Instruction - Driver Education Affidavit (DL-90A) for each instructor - Find this in your PTDE packet.
4. Classroom Instruction Log Record (DL-91A) - Find this in your PTDE packet.
5. Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form (CDD-104) - This comes from your school.
  - This must be signed by your school's administrator or the person designated by the administrator.
  - If you have graduated high school, you may submit your high school diploma or GED in lieu of this form.
6. Six-Hour Completion Certificate (DE-964) - This comes from us, after you have completed the first six hours of the course.

The following applicants must present additional documentation as follows:

If the applicant is a U.S. citizen, he or she must present a document indicating citizenship such as a birth certificate.
If the applicant is a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States , he or she must present documentation indicating this status such as a Permanent Resident Card (I-551).
If the applicant is refugee or asylee, he or she must present documentation indicating this status.
If the applicant is not a citizen and is not a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. he or she must present valid documentation issued by the U.S. Dept. of Justice, U.S. Dept. of State, U.S. Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that shows Lawful Temporary Admission to the U.S.
1. Please note that a learner license or driver license will not be issued if the lawful admission period stated on the document expires in fewer than six months.

Note: At least one instructor must be present when the teen applies for a learner license at the Driver License Office. If the teen has multiple instructors and one instructor is absent when the teen applies for a learner license, then the affidavit must be notarized for the absent instructor.

After receiving your learner license, you may begin your behind-the-wheel driver's training.

How do I get my driver license in Texas?

In order to be eligible to get a Texas driver license, you must:

Be at least 16 years old
Reside in Texas for at least 30 days prior to application
Have held a valid learner license for six months
Have completed a driver education course
Have completed the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) requirement.
1. Effective September 1, 2015, individuals taking a teen driver education course are required to complete the ITTD requirement before they will be eligible to take the driving skills exam.

Once you are eligible, you will need to go to a DPS Driver License Office and:

Pay the required fee.
Present proof of residency. To meet the residency requirements, you must:
1. Reside in Texas for at least 30 days prior to application
2. Present two acceptable documents establishing proof of residency, one of which must demonstrate the applicant has lived in Texas at least 30 days (See examples)
3. The 30 day requirement will be waived for applicants who surrender a valid, unexpired out-of-state driver license, but two documents establishing proof of residency are still required.
Present the following forms explained in the Driver Education Packet:
1. Original acceptable proof of identity (See examples)
2. Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form (CDD-104) - This comes from your school.
  - This must be signed by your school's administrator or the person designated by the administrator.
  - If you have graduated high school, you may submit a high school diploma or GED in lieu of this form.
3. Behind-the-Wheel Instruction - Driver Education Affidavit (Print DL-90B) - Find this in your PTDE packet.
4. Application for Renewal/Replacement/Change of a Texas Driver License or Identification Card (DL-43) - Find this in your PTDE packet.
5. Classroom Instruction Log Record (Print DL-91A) - Find this in your PTDE packet.
6. Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Log Record (Print DL-91B) - Find this in your PTDE packet.
Present your Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) Certificate of Completion.
1. Effective September 1, 2015, individuals taking a teen driver education course are required to complete the ITTD requirement before they will be eligible to take the driving skills exam.
Take the driving skills test (within 90 days of the date on your ITTD Certificate of Completion) if you are under 18 years old.
Provide current proof of Liability Insurance for the vehicle which will be used for the driving exam.
Provide valid motor vehicle registration and inspection sticker for the vehicle which will be used for the driving exam.
Provide your learner license.
Provide your Course Completion Certificate (DE-964).

The following applicants are required to present additional documentation as follows:

If there has been a CHANGE in the applicant's U.S. citizenship, he or she must present a birth certificate issued by the appropriate state.
If the applicant is a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States, he or she must present a valid U.S Dept. of State "Immigrant Visa" or a valid U.S. Resident Alien Card (Form I-551).
If the applicant is a refugee or asylee, he or she must provide proof of this status.
If the applicant is not a citizen and is not a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. he or she must present valid documentation issued by the U.S. Dept. of Justice, U.S. Dept. of State, U.S. Homeland Security or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that shows Lawful Temporary Admission to the U.S.

Please Note: At least one instructor must be present when the teen applies for a driver license at the Driver License Office . If the teen has multiple instructors and one instructor is absent when the teen applies for a driver license, then the affidavit must be notarized for the absent instructor.

Your first Texas driver license will be marked "provisional." Your provisional driver license expires on your birth date starting after the date you received it until you are 18.You face certain driving restrictions during this phase. For the first twelve months after receiving your provisional license you may NOT:

Drive with more than one passenger in the vehicle under the age of 21 who is not a family member.
Drive between the hours 12:00AM (midnight) and 5:00AM, unless it is necessary for you to drive to work or a school-related activity, or because of a medical emergency.
Drive while using a wireless device except in the event of an emergency.

After the first six months of holding a provisional Texas driver license, the driver may drive the vehicle without time or passenger limitations.

What is the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) requirement?

The ITTD program is a FREE 2-hour informational video developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety as an additional safety measure for new drivers. Effective September 1, 2015, all Texas teens who are taking a teen driver education course must complete the ITTD program after they have received a Certificate of Completion (DE-964) from their driver education provider. Students must complete the ITTD program before they may take their driving exam.

The ITTD program is available on the Department of Public Safety's Impact Texas Teen Drivers website. Note: Your ITTD Certificate of Completion is only valid for 90 days. If you do not pass the driving skills exam within 90 days of the date on the ITTD certificate, you must restart the ITTD program and take the driving skills exam again.

We hope we have answered all your questions! If you have more questions that you don't see here, feel free to check out our Texas Parent Taught Driver Education FAQs page for more information. We wish you the best of luck with your Texas driver's ed journey!

Categories: Driving Laws