Our friendly Customer Support team is here 7 days a week to answer any questions you may have via phone, email or Live Chat. We're here to help!

20+ years in business
  • Parents
  • Teens
  • FAQs
Parents
Texas Parent Taught Driver Education Course

Register Now

Be your teen's instructor for both online classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training!

  • Approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
  • Guide Your Teen Through Online Instruction
  • Your Teen Can Take the Knowledge Test Online for FREE!
  • Includes Instructions for Behind-the-Wheel Training
  • Your Teen Gets Unlimited Access to Practice Exams

Register Now

What is the Texas Parent-Taught Driver Education Online Course?

The Texas Parent-Taught Driver Education course allows a teen's parent or other qualifying individual to serve as their instructor for their driver education. Completion of the course qualifies a teen to take the driving skills test and obtain a license. The course is regulated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). The TDLR licenses private schools to offer the program.

The course consists of 32 hours of online classroom instruction and 44 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and practice. Schools provide the online course and a behind-the-wheel teaching guide. Parents monitor their teen's progress through the online course and follow the guide to provide behind-the-wheel instruction and practice. The teen takes the first six hours of the online course to obtain a learner license. Thereafter, the online course (a.k.a., "theory") and behind-the-wheel instruction/training (a.k.a.,"practice") occur in parallel.

The course is divided into two components:

  • 32 Hours of Online Course (Theory);
  • 44 Hours of Behind-the-Wheel Instruction/Training (Practice)

The TDLR regulates the topics that must be covered in both the online course and in the behind-the-wheel instruction and training. The 32 hours of online coursework include:

  • Rules of the Road
  • Distracted Driving
  • Driving Emergencies
  • Protecting Yourself While Driving
  • Driving in All Seasons
  • Adult and Child Safety Equipment
  • Impaired Driving
  • Driving Behaviors
  • Recent Trends in Driving
  • Best Practices and Procedures

The behind-the-wheel instruction and training is divided into two components:

  • 14 hours of driving instruction (including 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and 7 hours of behind-the-wheel observation);
  • 30 hours of practice driving (10 hours of which must be done at night)

The topics covered in the behind-the-wheel instruction include:

  • Pre-Drive Tasks
  • Basics of Vehicle Operation and Control
  • Attention and Communication
  • Managing Vehicle Space
  • Reference Points
  • Turns, Changing Lanes, and Passing
  • Parking
  • Aggressive Drivers
  • Distracted Driving
  • Traffic Laws and Right-of-Way
  • Safe Driving Techniques
  • Driving in Adverse Weather

A 6-hour certificate is issued when a teen completes the first six hours of their online coursework. This certificate can be used to obtain a learner license. The learner license allows a teen to begin their behind-the-wheel training. A Certificate of Completion is issued when the teen completes the course (both the online coursework and the behind-the-wheel instruction). This certificate is submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety to obtain a driver license.

Eligibility for Teens

Teens must be 14-17 years old to take the course and qualify for a learner license.

Eligibility for Instructors

There are a few requirements a person must meet in order to be eligible to instruct a Parent-Taught Driver Education course:

  • The instructor must be the student’s parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian appointed by a court. A power of attorney is not considered a legal guardian. Additionally, a parent, legal guardian, or a judge of a court with jurisdiction over the student can designate a person to instruct the course who:
    • 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 possess a valid license for the preceding three years that has not been suspended, revoked, or forfeited in the past three years for an offense that involves the operation of a motor vehicle.
  • 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; and
    • a conviction in the preceding three years of:
      1. three or more moving violations described by Section 542.304, Transportation Code, including violations that resulted in an accident; or
      2. two or more moving violations described by Section 542.304, Transportation Code, that resulted in an accident.

Instructors are responsible for checking their criminal and driver records prior to requesting the PTDE Program Guide. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will verify the instructor’s record when it processes the student’s learner license and again when it processes the student’s provisional driver license.

If the DPS determines that the instructor does not meet the requirements, the DPS will deny the learner license or provisional driver license along with any prior classroom instruction or behind the wheel/in-car instruction provided by the ineligible instructor.

To verify your eligibility to be an instructor before ordering the PTDE Program Guide, please use the DPS Online Driver Record Request System.

Safe2Drive's Parent-Taught Driver Education Course

We're a small but hard-working team of driver safety experts who are dedicated to providing you and your teen with the best course experience possible. Our goal is to make everything go smoothly for you. Handing over the keys to your teen can be a little stressful--you're worried about their safety and the great responsibility that comes with getting behind the wheel. We're here to ease your mind. With our Texas Parent Taught Driver Education course, you get to work WITH your teen on their driver education. You don't have to worry about whether or not a stranger is doing a good enough job teaching your teen everything there is to know about driving--you're their instructor! We provide all the information you need to get started.

Our online Parent-Taught Driver Education course is straightforward and convenient without sacrificing quality. You and your teen get to work on the course at home or anywhere else with an Internet connection. And you're not on your own--we're here to guide you both through the entire process. Your teen will enjoy games, videos, slideshows, and so much more while learning all of the latest Texas driving laws and defensive driving techniques.

We know you and your teen have a busy schedule, and it can be challenging to set aside time. Our TDLR-approved course allows you to work on the course at the pace that's best for you*. What makes the flexibility of an online course so valuable is that you and your teen can work through the course instruction when you have free time, in short bursts or for longer periods of time.

Safe2Drive's Texas Parent Taught Driver Education course even gives your teen the option to take the Knowledge Test online. That means you both can save some time at the DPS!

But it’s not all about convenience. Our Texas Parent Taught course is fun and engaging, too! Every lesson contains videos, games, slideshows, and so much more. Your teen will listen to real-life stories on the driving experience, watch animations that illustrate how to take and yield the right-of-way or make tough vehicle maneuvers, and participate in a Live Vote on popular driving facts that tests how well their driving knowledge measures up to that of their peers. Here at Safe2Drive, our students actually have a good time while they're learning. And when your teen enjoys the learning process, they'll remember the material better.

You will get to oversee your teen's progress through the course, and your teen will qualify for a learner license after just 6 hours! If you or your teen have questions at any point during the course, our friendly and helpful Customer Support team is here to assist you. You can call, email, or Live Chat us! We are here to help you out every step of the way.

Texas is a big state with many roads, so we want to be sure your teen is as prepared as possible before starting the behind-the-wheel driver training. Safe2Drive's Texas Parent Taught Driver Ed course will teach your teen everything they need to know to be the best driver possible. So let's get started!

*As per Texas law, your teen may complete a maximum of 6 hours of driver education instruction per day. Your teen may not complete more than 4 hours of in-car instruction and no more than 2 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction per day.

A Quick Guide to Helping Your Teen Get a Texas Driver License

If you are eligible, you're ready to get started!

Step 1: Register for Our Course with Your Teen

Signing up is easy! Just click the Register Now button and we will guide you through all of the steps to set up your account with your teen.

Step 2: Request Your Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide

You must request and receive the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) before your teen can begin the course. The PTDE Program Guide contains forms that your teen needs in order to get a learner license! All you have to do is fill out the online request form and make payment. The guide costs $20. After you purchase the guide, you will receive an email with a link to download the guide. Check your spam and junk folders if you do not see the email in your inbox.

Next, download and read the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide. To check the status of your order, or to download the guide if you do not have an email address, click here.

Your teen can start the course as soon as you have the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide.

Step 3: Have Your Teen Get a Learner License After 6 Hours

The next step is for your teen to complete the first six hours of the course. If your teen chooses to take the Knowledge Test online with us, he or she will need to take and pass this test at that point. Your teen also has the option to go to the DPS to take the Knowledge Test. Once your teen passes (woo!), you can accompany your teen to the DPS to apply for their learner license! We've put together a helpful list of all of the documents you need to bring with you. Once your teen has their learner license, you are able to start the behind-the-wheel training together!

Step 4: Finish the Parent Taught Driver Education Course

Next, your teen will need to complete the remaining 26 hours of online instruction and the 44 hours of behind-the-wheel training. Once your teen has successfully completed the Texas Parent Taught course, we will award him or her a Certificate of Completion. We provide a complete behind-the-wheel training guide for your in-car sessions.

Step 5: Complete the Free ITTD Course

Texas law requires your teen to complete their Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) course as a step toward getting a driver license. It's a free online course, and your teen must complete it and receive a Certificate of Completion. Hang on to this certificate--your teen will need it when applying for a Texas driver license.

Step 6: Get Your Driver License!

In order for your teen to get a Texas driver license, he or she will need to complete the steps above, be at least 16 years old, have resided in Texas for at least 30 days prior to applying for their driver license, and have held their learner license for 6 months. Then, they will simply need to gather the required documents and head to the DPS with you to take the driving exam.

When your teen passes the driving exam, he or she will be issued a driver license.

Why Safe2Drive?

So, what makes us so special? At Safe2Drive, we put our customers above everything else. Our Customer Care team has won the prestigious Silver Stevie Award two years in a row for outstanding customer service, and we pride ourselves on taking good care of our customers.

In addition, our course is top-notch. We are constantly updating our course to make sure it has all of the most up-to-date information, and we have worked hard to ensure our course is fun and interactive so that your teen actually engages with the material. After all, this is the material your teen needs to know to stay safe out on the road!

Best of all, our course is easy to complete and extremely convenient. Your teen can fit it into his or her schedule with ease. Your teen can work on the course from the comfort of a desktop at home, or access it on the go on any mobile device.

So what are you waiting for? Get started today and help your teen get on the way toward receiving a driver license!

Register Now

Back to Top

Teens
Texas Parent Taught Driver Education Course Online

Register Now

Get your Texas learner license and qualify for your driver license!

  • Approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
  • Complete Your Classroom Instruction Online
  • Qualify for your Learner License after Six Hours of Instruction!
  • Take Your Knowledge Test Online for FREE!
  • We Provide Instructions for Your Behind-the-Wheel Training
  • Take FREE Practice Exams to Help You Pass Your Permit Test

Register Now

Welcome to Safe2Drive! Congratulations on deciding to get your Texas driver license--it's a big step! We know this is an exciting time, and we understand how eager you are to get started and get on the road. That's why we've worked hard to create a convenient, quality Parent Taught Driver Education (PTDE) course that you can complete with ease. So, what makes it so easy?

With our TDLR-approved course, you can complete all of your "classroom" instruction online! That's right, no getting dropped off at a stuffy classroom on the weekend! Plus, you can work on your course at the pace that's best for you. Want to chip away at your driver education between classes? That's fine! Would you prefer to work on it for a couple hours* a day after school? It's completely up to you!

This Texas Parent Taught Driver Education course even offers you the choice of taking your Knowledge Test online or at the DPS. We want you to have the flexibility to do what works best for you and your schedule.

Not only do we make things simple, but our Texas Parent Taught course is fun and interactive, too! We've packed each lesson with videos, games, slideshows, and more. Enjoy listening along to real-life stories on the driving experience, check out animations that show you how to take and yield the right-of-way or make difficult driving moves, and cast your vote with our Live Vote feature, which tests how well your driving knowledge measures up to that of others. Here at Safe2Drive, we want you to have fun while you're learning. Because when you are engaged with what you're learning, you'll remember that information and put it to use on the road.

Your parent will guide you through the driver education course, and you'll qualify for your learner license after just 6 hours. If you or your parent have questions while you are taking the course, our friendly and helpful Customer Care team is here to help you 7 days a week. You can call, email, or Live Chat us! We are always here for you.

We know you're thrilled to finally be getting your Texas license, and we want you to be the best driver you can be. You'll feel ready to take on the road with Safe2Drive's Texas Parent Taught Driver Ed course. So let's get started!

*As per Texas law, you may complete a maximum of 6 hours of driver education instruction per day. You may not complete more than 4 hours of in-car instruction and no more than 2 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction per day.

A Quick Guide to Getting Your Texas Driver License

Eligibility Requirements

There are a few eligibility requirements you must meet in order to take the Texas Parent Taught Driver Education course:

  • You must be at least 14 years old before starting the online course.
  • You must be at least 15 years old in order to take the learner license exam.

There are a few eligibility requirements for Texas Parent Taught Driver Education course instructors:

  • The instructor must be the student’s parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian appointed by a court. A power of attorney is not considered a legal guardian. Additionally, a parent, legal guardian, or a judge of a court with jurisdiction over the student can designate a person to instruct the course who:
    • 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 possess a valid license for the preceding three years that has not been suspended, revoked, or forfeited in the past three years for an offense that involves the operation of a motor vehicle.
  • Instructors cannot have:
    • a conviction (including a probated sentence) of criminally negligent homicide; or
    • a conviction (including a probated sentence) of driving while intoxicated in the last seven years; and
    • a conviction in the preceding three years of:
      1. three or more moving violations described by Section 542.304, Transportation Code, including violations that resulted in an accident; or
      2. two or more moving violations described by Section 542.304, Transportation Code, that resulted in an accident.

Instructors are responsible for checking their criminal and driver records prior to requesting the PTDE Program Guide. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will verify the instructor’s record when it processes the student’s learner license and again when it processes the student’s provisional driver license.

If the DPS determines that the instructor does not meet the requirements, the DPS will deny the learner license or provisional driver license along with any prior classroom instruction or behind the wheel/in-car instruction provided by the ineligible instructor.

To verify your eligibility to be an instructor before ordering the PTDE Program Guide, please use the DPS Online Driver Record Request System.

If you and your instructor are eligible, you're ready to get started!

Step 1: Create a Safe2Drive Account

Signing up is easy! Just click the Register Now button and we will guide you through all of the steps to set up your account.

Step 2: Request Your Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide

You must request and receive the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) before you can begin the course. The PTDE Program Guide contains forms that you need in order to get a learner license! All you have to do is fill out the online request form and make payment. The guide costs $20. After you purchase the guide, you will receive an email with a link to download the guide. Check your spam and junk folders if you do not see the email in your inbox.

Next, download and read the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide. To check the status of your order, or to download the guide if you do not have an email address, click here.

You can start the course as soon as you have the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide.

Step 3: Get Your Learner License After 6 Hours

The next step is to complete the first six hours of the course. If you choose to take the Knowledge Test online with us, you will need to take and pass this test at that point. You also have the option to go to the DPS to take your Knowledge Test. Once you pass (woo!), you can go to the DPS to apply for your learner license! We've put together a helpful list of all of the documents you need to bring with you. Once you have your learner license, you are able to start the behind-the-wheel training with your parent or guardian!

Step 4: Finish Your Parent Taught Driver Education Course

Complete the remaining 26 hours of online instruction and the 44 hours of your behind-the-wheel training. Once you have successfully completed your Texas Parent Taught course, we will award you a Certificate of Completion. We provide a complete behind-the-wheel training guide for your in-car sessions.

Step 5: Complete the Free ITTD Course

Texas law requires you to complete their Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) course as a step toward getting your driver license. It's a free online course, and you must complete it and receive a Certificate of Completion. Hang on to this certificate--you will need it when applying for your Texas driver license.

Step 6: Get Your Driver License!

This is what you've been waiting for! In order to get your Texas driver license, you need to complete the steps above, be at least 16 years old, have resided in Texas for at least 30 days prior to applying for your driver license, and have held your learner license for at least 6 months. Then, just gather the required documents and head to the DPS to take your driving exam.

When you pass the driving exam, you'll be issued a driver license. That's it, you're all done!

Safe2Drive's Got You Covered

We understand that you're anxious to finish your TX PTDE course so you can get your driver license. That's why we have set up our online course to be as easy to use and convenient as possible for you. Take it on your computer, your iPad, or even your phone! Fit in your driver education between classes, after school, or whenever you have time. You have the freedom to study on your own schedule.

We are here to help if you have questions. We're available 7 days a week.

So what are you waiting for? Get started today and get on your way toward receiving your driver license!

Register Now

Back to Top

Frequent Questions

Texas Parent Taught Driver Education

Register Now

We have made every attempt to answer the most commonly asked Texas Parent Taught Driver Education questions. Please call or email us if your question is not here.

What is the Texas Parent Taught Driver Education (PTDE) Program?

The Parent Taught Driver Education (PTDE) Program allows a parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent, or legal guardian to teach their teen a driver education course. Additionally, a parent, legal guardian, or a judge of a court with jurisdiction over the student can designate a person to instruct the course who:

  • is at least 25 years old
  • does not charge a fee for conducting the course
  • has at least seven years of driving experience

The Parent Taught Driver Education course allows teens to earn their learner license and qualify for a driver license. PTDE requires both online classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel driver training.

What is the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide?

The Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide contains instructions on how to teach the Texas Parent Taught Driver Education course as well as helpful information on how to get a Texas driver license and important forms you will need when applying for your license.

IMPORTANT: You MUST have your Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide before starting the course. As per Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) rules, if you begin the course without the guide, none of that instruction time will count toward your requirement, and you will have to start the course over.

Don't waste your time! Please only proceed if you have your guide.

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

Applying for the PTDE Program Guide 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 guide 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 guide.

How does the Texas Parent Taught Driver Education course work?

The course procedure for parents and teens is outlined below.

For Parents:

  1. Register your teen on our website.
  2. Request and obtain the Texas Parent Taught Driver Education Guide by filling out the online form and making payment. Download the guide and read through it.
  3. Have your teen complete the first six hours of online instruction.
  4. Have your teen study the Texas Driver Handbook to prepare for the Knowledge Test.
  5. Prepare and submit to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) your teen's application for a learner license, including Safe2Drive's Six-Hour Completion Certificate. Your teen will also be required to take a vision exam when applying for a learner license.
  6. Have your teen complete the remaining 26 hours of online instruction.
  7. Follow the instructions in the Parent Taught Driver Education Guide to conduct the behind-the wheel training after your teen has received a learner license.
  8. Prepare and submit to the DPS your teen's application for a driver license.
  9. Have your teen take the driving exam at the Driver License Office.

For Teens:

  1. Register for our course with your parent.
  2. Ensure that your parent has requested and obtained the Parent Taught Driver Education Guide by filling out the online form and making payment. Make sure they download the guide and read through it.
  3. Start the course and complete the first six hours of online instruction.
  4. Take the Knowledge Test online with us, if you choose. You can also opt to take the test at the DPS.
  5. 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).
  6. Prepare and submit your application (including your Six-Hour Completion Certificate) for a learner license to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
  7. 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.
  8. Complete the remaining 26 hours of online instruction.
  9. Follow the instructions in the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide with your parent for the behind-the wheel training.
  10. Complete the course and get your Course Completion Certificate.
  11. Prepare and submit your application for a driver license to the DPS.
  12. Take the driving exam at the Driver License Office.

What is included in the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide?

The Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide must be requested by filling out this online form and making payment. It must be obtained before starting any online instruction. It includes most documents you will need to successfully complete the program:

  1. 6 Core Requirements for the Parent Taught Course
  2. TDLR Approved Parent Taught Course Providers
  3. Instructions for Applying for a Student's License
  4. Learner License Application Checklist
  5. Behind-the-Wheel Practice Log--30 Hours (DL-91B)- This is a record of required driver training topics, hours, and date of instruction. This is required when applying for a driver license at the Driver License Office.
  6. Provisional License Application Checklist
  7. Parent Taught Designation Form--This form is required when applying for a learner license if the parent/legal guardian is not the teen's instructor.
  8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
  9. TDLR Contact Information

The Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide will be emailed to you by the TDLR once you request it and make payment.

Please remember you must not start instruction until the guide is in your possession.

Does the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide come from Safe2Drive or the TDLR?

The guide comes from the TDLR, not us. The Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide must be requested by filling out this online form and making payment.

What is the DE-964 Certificate?

Form DE-964 is a numbered, two-part form that is used to certify completion of both the classroom and laboratory phases of the driver education course.

Once you have completed the first 6 hours of instruction, Safe2Drive will issue a Six-Hour Completion Certificate (Part 1). Once you have completed the remaining 26 hours of online instruction, followed the instructions in the Driver Education Program Guide for the behind-the wheel training, and completed the course, Safe2Drive will issue you a Course Completion Certificate (Part 2).

What is the difference between the Concurrent Method and Block Method?

Concurrent Method:*

  1. Complete the first six hours of online instruction.
  2. Obtain learner license.
  3. Finish the remaining 26 hours of online instruction along with the in-car observation/behind-the-wheel training.

Block Method:

  1. Complete ALL 32 hours of online instruction.
  2. Obtain learner license.
  3. Take the in-car observation/behind-the-wheel training.

*Note: We currently offer the Concurrent Method only.

What are the eligibility requirements?

For Instructors:

There are a few requirements a person must meet in order to be eligible to instruct a Parent-Taught Driver Education course:

  • The instructor must be the student’s parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian appointed by a court. A power of attorney is not considered a legal guardian. Additionally, a parent, legal guardian, or a judge of a court with jurisdiction over the student can designate a person to instruct the course who:
    • 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 possess a valid license for the preceding three years that has not been suspended, revoked, or forfeited in the past three years for an offense that involves the operation of a motor vehicle.
  • Instructors cannot have:
    • a conviction (including a probated sentence) of criminally negligent homicide; or
    • a conviction (including a probated sentence) of driving while intoxicated in the last seven years; and
    • a conviction in the preceding three years of:
      1. three or more moving violations described by Section 542.304, Transportation Code, including violations that resulted in an accident; or
      2. two or more moving violations described by Section 542.304, Transportation Code, that resulted in an accident.

Instructors are responsible for checking their criminal and driver records prior to requesting the PTDE Program Guide. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will verify the instructor’s record when it processes the student’s learner license and again when it processes the student’s provisional driver license.

If the DPS determines that the instructor does not meet the requirements, the DPS will deny the learner license or provisional driver license along with any prior classroom instruction or behind the wheel/in-car instruction provided by the ineligible instructor.

To verify your eligibility to be an instructor before ordering the PTDE Program Guide, please use the DPS Online Driver Record Request System.

For Teens:

  1. Must be at least 14 years old before starting the online course
  2. Must be at least 15 years old in order to take the learner license exam

What are the learner license requirements?

The student must:

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

At the Driver License Office, you must:

  1. Pay the required learner license fee.
  2. 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)
  3. 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). If you cannot provide two acceptable residency documents, you must submit the Texas Residency Affidavit.
    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.
  4. Present original acceptable proof of identity such as your Birth Certificate and School ID Card. If neither of these are available, you can see other examples here.
  5. Present the PTDE Program Guide Receipt. This is proof that you have purchased the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide. The DPS will ask for it and will not allow you to continue the application process until they receive proof of purchase.
  6. Present your Verification of School Enrollment and Attendance (VOE). This comes from your school and must be signed by the school administrator or his/her designee. A VOE is not required if the student has their high school diploma or GED certificate and has graduated.
  7. Present your Texas Parent Taught Driver Education Six-Hour Completion Certificate (DE-964). This comes from us, after you have completed the first six hours of the course.
  8. Present your Parent Designation Form - You are required to present this form if your parent, legal guardian, or a judge of a court with jurisdiction over you designated another adult to instruct you in the Parent Taught Driver Education course. You can find this form in the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide.
  9. Present your Texas Driver License Application. Visit the DPS website to print the most current version or pick one up at your local driver license office.
  10. Present proof of liability insurance and valid Texas registration (if the student owns a vehicle).
  11. Pass a written Knowledge Test, if you did not take it online with us.
  12. Pass a vision exam.

The following applicants must present additional documentation as follows:

  1. If the applicant is a U.S. citizen, he or she must present a document indicating citizenship such as a BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
  2. 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).
  3. If the applicant is refugee or asylee, he or she must present documentation indicating this status.
  4. 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: The teen’s parent or legal guardian must be present when the teen applies for a learner license at the Driver License Office. If the teen’s parent, legal guardian, or a judge of a court with jurisdiction over the teen designated another adult to instruct the teen in the Parent Taught Driver Education course, that designated instructor must also be present when the teen applies for a learner license and the teen must submit a Parent Designation Form (this form can be found in the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide).

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

What are the requirements to get a Texas driver license?

The student must:

  1. Be between age 16 and age 17
  2. Reside in Texas for at least 30 days prior to application
  3. Have held a valid learner license for six months or until they have reached age 18
  4. Have completed behind-the-wheel portion of driver education
  5. 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 within the previous 90 days before they will be eligible to take the driving skills exam.

At the DPS Driver License Office, you must:

  1. Pay the required fee.
  2. 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)
  3. 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). If you cannot provide two acceptable residency documents, you must submit the Texas Residency Affidavit.
    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.
  4. Present original acceptable proof of identity such as your Birth Certificate and School ID Card. If neither of these are available, you can see other examples here.
  5. Present your Verification of School Enrollment and Attendance (VOE). This comes from your school and must be signed by the school administrator or his/her designee. A VOE is not required if the student has their high school diploma or GED certificate and has graduated.
  6. Present your learner license.
  7. Present your Texas Parent Taught Driver Education Completion Certificate (DE-964). This comes from us, after you have completed the entire course.
  8. Present your 30-hour driving log. You'll find this log in your Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide. You must complete this log as you complete instruction. DPS officials may ask to review your driving logs at any time.
  9. Present your Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) Certificate. The ITTD course must be completed before you apply for your provisional license. Visit the DPS website here to complete this requirement.
  10. Present your Texas Driver License Application. Visit the DPS website to print the most current version or pick one up at your local driver license office.
  11. Present your insurance card. You must have current proof of liability insurance for the vehicle you will use for the drive test.
  12. Present your vehicle registration and inspection sticker for the vehicle you will use for the drive test.
  13. Take and pass the drive test. You must do this within 90 days of the date on your ITTD Certificate of Completion.

    14. The following applicants must present additional documentation as follows:

    1. If there has been a CHANGE in the applicant's U.S. citizenship, they must present a BIRTH CERTIFICATE issued by the appropriate state.
    2. If the applicant is a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States, they must present a valid U.S Dept. of State "Immigrant Visa" or a valid U.S. Resident Alien Card (Form I-551).
    3. If the applicant is a refugee or asylee, they must provide proof of this status.
    4. If the applicant is not a citizen and is not a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., they 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.

    Note: The teen’s parent or legal guardian must be present when the teen applies for a driver license at the Driver License Office. If the teen’s parent, legal guardian, or a judge of a court with jurisdiction over the teen designated another adult to instruct the teen in the Parent Taught Driver Education course, that designated instructor must also be present when the teen applies for a driver license and the teen must submit a Parent Designation Form (this form can be found in the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide).

    Your first driver license will be marked "provisional." Your provisional license expires when you have reached age 18. You face certain driving restrictions during this phase. You may not:

    1. Drive with more than one passenger in the vehicle under the age of 21 who is not a family member.
    2. 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.
    3. Drive while using a wireless device, including hands-free devices, except in the event of an emergency.

    Your driver license expires when you turn age 18. You will need to visit your local driver license office within 30 days of the expiration date in order to renew it. Once renewed, you'll be issued a driver license for individuals under age 21. Then, the number of passengers you may drive with and the time restrictions will no longer apply.

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.

What is included in the curriculum?

The curriculum consists of engaging lessons with:

  1. Lecture material
  2. Informative videos
  3. Interactive animations and slideshows
  4. Fun games

A short quiz will be given at the end of each lesson. You must answer at least three of the four questions correctly to move on to the next lesson.

This will allow you to easily master the content and help you pass your Knowledge Test with flying colors!

We want to make this process as easy as possible for you, which is why we offer the Knowledge Test online! That means you can take it from the comfort of your own home--FREE!

What happens if I do not pass the lesson quiz?

Most people pass each quiz the first time. However, if you fail a lesson quiz, you will have to retake it as many times as necessary until you achieve a 75% or better (3 out of 4 questions correct) before moving on to the next lesson.

How long is the Texas Parent Taught Driver Education course?

As per Texas DPS requirements, the course is 32 hours in length. You are only allowed to complete a total of 6 hours of driver education instruction per day. In-car instruction may not exceed 4 hours per day, with no more than 2 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction that same day. You can divide up the 6 hours of daily instruction time between online instruction and in-car instruction in any way that you choose, as long as you do not exceed 6 hours total and you do not exceed 4 hours of in-car instruction with no more than 2 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction in the same day.

Here are a few examples of how the 6-hour daily instruction time limit works:

  • If you do 6 hours of online instruction in a day, you cannot do any in-car instruction that day.
  • If you do 2 hours of online instruction in a day, then you can do 4 hours of in-car instruction that day. The in-car instruction can be divided up in numerous ways, such as:
    • 4 hours of in-car observation and 0 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction
    • 3 hours of in-car observation and 1 hour of behind-the-wheel instruction
    • 2 hours of in-car observation and 2 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction
  • If you do 2 hours of online instruction and 3 hours of in-car observation, then you can only do 1 hour of behind-the-wheel instruction that day.
  • If you do 0 hours of online instruction and 1 hour of in-car observation in a day, then you may still only do 2 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction that day.

We provide 24/7 online access with an unlimited number of logins. Just use your username and password to login, and we will take you back to where you last left off.

What is the difference between In-Car Observation and Behind-the-Wheel Practice?

In-Car Observation: The parent performs driving techniques while the teen sits in the car and observes the parent.

Behind-the-Wheel Practice: The teen performs driving techniques while the parent evaluates the teen's performance.

How long does the entire 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:

  1. 32 hours of online instruction
  2. 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:

  1. 32 hours of online instruction
  2. 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 6 calendar days (with a maximum of 6 hours of instruction per day). The in-car observation and behind-the-wheel instruction must not be completed in fewer than 4 calendar days (with a maximum of 4 hours per day spent on in-car instruction and no more than 2 hours spent on behind-the-wheel instruction per day). If doing in-car instruction and online instruction in the same day, you must not exceed a total of 6 hours per day.

Can I transfer my hours of instruction to or from another driver school?

No. No hours of instruction may be transferred from our Parent Taught program to another driver school.

How do I get my Completion Certificate?

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.

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

How much does the Texas Parent Taught Driver Education course cost and what are my payment options?

The price of the course is $59.95. You may pay by one of the following methods:

  1. Credit card online
  2. Credit card by phone
  3. Check by mail
Register Now

Back to Top

Safe2Drive, 30212 Tomas, Suite 200A, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688

Safe2drive.com BBB Business Review    payment methods