Iowa Parent-Taught Driver Education Online

Parent Info

What is Parent-Taught Driver Education?

The Iowa Parent-Taught Driver Education (PTDE) course allows a parent or legal guardian of a teen to become an instructor for their teen's driver education. PTDE requires both online classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel driver training.

Approved Course

Safe2Drive's PTDE course is approved by the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT). It allows a parent or legal guardian to become an instructor for their teen's driver education. PTDE requires both online classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel driver training.

Benefits for Parents

• Teach a driver’s education course for your teen that is not only Iowa DOT-approved, it’s also fun, interactive, and engaging
• Gives you the opportunity to take charge of your teen's driver education
• Provides a low-cost and convenient way for your teen to take driver education
• Gives you a chance to practice behind-the-wheel driving exercises with your teen

Steps for Parents

Getting Started

It is highly recommended that you double check the requirements and eligibility for both the student and the teaching parent(s) before the teen starts the course. Not every family member may meet the requirements to qualify for the parent-taught program.

Student Requirements

• Must possess a valid instruction permit.
• Must be age 14-21.
• Must be in the legal custody and control of the teaching parent.
• Must be currently attending a public school, an accredited nonpublic school or receiving homeschool education under chapter 299A.

Parent Requirements

• Must be the parent, guardian or legal custodian of the student.
• Must possess a valid Iowa driver’s license, other than a motorized bicycle license or a temporary restricted license.
• Must have a clear driving record for the previous two years, which means the individual has not been identified as a candidate for suspension or revocation of a driver’s license under the habitual violator or habitual offender provisions of the department’s regulations; is not subject to a driver’s license suspension, revocation, denial, cancellation, disqualification, or bar; and has no record of a conviction for a moving traffic violation determined to be the cause of a motor vehicle accident.

You can check your driving record to ensure you meet these requirements.

If you have any questions about eligibility, you can inquire by emailing ParentTaught.DE@iowadot.us.

Course Procedures

1. Verify the eligibility of the student and teaching parent(s) to to participate in a parent-taught program. This step is highly recommended because not every family member is going to meet the requirements to qualify for the parent-taught program.
2. Register and pay for the course.
3. Complete the course.
4. Your teen will need to complete a total of 30 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with you, including 3 hours of driving between sunset and sunrise.
5. After you and your teen complete the course, your next step is to submit the online Application for Parent-Taught Driver Education Certificate of Completion to the Iowa DOT by visiting the Iowa DOT’s website and clicking the “Submit application and documents” button. The following items must be uploaded with the application:
• Safe2Drive Course Completion Certificate
• Copy of your completed driving log (Iowa DOT Form 431228), which can be found on the Iowa DOT website.
6. Wait to receive the letter of approval and the official Certificate of Completion from the Iowa DOT.
7. After your teen receives their letter of approval and official Certificate of Completion from the Iowa DOT, your teen can schedule their driving test online or at any Iowa driver’s license service center. Once your teen passes their driving test, they will receive their intermediate license.