Texas Parent-Taught Driver’s Education : A Stress-Free Guide to Your Teen’s License

With Virtual Drive’s TDLR/DPS-approved Parent-Taught Driver’s Ed course, you can feel confident knowing, “We’ve got this!” From your first step of state registration to receiving your Texas driver’s license, our course provides a smooth, stress-free experience. This approach allows a certified online course to teach your teen, while you supervise and guide their hands-on practice.

Here’s how it works:

1. Enroll in the Course
   Begin with Virtual Drive’s TDLR-approved Parent-Taught Driver’s Ed course (#107), designed for teens aged 14-17. Complete the DL-92 form and submit it to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) to participate in the program.
2. Study the Online Course
   The first six hours of our course focus on preparing for the DPS written test, which you can take online, saving a trip to the DPS office!
3. Apply for the Learner’s Permit
   After completing the first six hours and passing the DPS test, print your certificate, gather your identification (per our checklist), and apply for your Texas learner’s license at the DPS office.
4. Begin Behind-the-Wheel Lessons
   With a learner’s permit, teens start in-car driving lessons supervised by a parent or guardian. Teens also continue online course modules until all requirements are completed.
5. Complete the Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) Course
   All new drivers under 24 must complete the free ITYD course after driver’s ed, a requirement before taking the DPS road test.
6. Apply for Your Texas Driver’s License
   At 16, after finishing the parent-taught course and ITYD, apply for your Texas driver’s license. Remember to make copies of your DE-964 certificate for insurance discounts and personal records.

Our program prioritizes ease and clarity to ensure you’re well-prepared and avoid surprises at the DPS. Choose Virtual Drive to experience a Texas driver’s ed program focused on simplicity and support.

To complete drivers ed in Texas, teens under the age of 18 must complete their course before their 18th birthday.  This includes 32 hours of online driver education training and 44 hours of behind the wheel driver training with a designated parent or legal guardian.  Students must have held their Texas learners license for at least six months, complete the Texas IMPACT training and pass the DPS road test.

Students must be at least 14 years old to start the Texas Parent-Taught Driver’s Ed course. However, a learner’s permit won’t be issued until the student is at least 15. Teens under 18 are required to complete an approved driver education course before obtaining a Texas provisional driver’s license .

The DE-964 is the driver education certificate issued by the driving school upon completion of parent-taught driver’s ed in Texas. This certificate is essential—make copies for your records. A DE-964 copy must be presented at the DPS office when applying for a Texas provisional driver’s license.

Teens aged 14-17 must complete 32 hours of online (or classroom) training and 44 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.

The duration of the Texas parent-taught driver’s ed course depends on the schedules of both the teen and the parent instructor. Most students finish in about four months, though some complete it in as little as two months, while others take six months or more.

This self-paced course allows teens to progress as their time permits. Many teens choose to study an hour or two per day, while others with busy schedules spread it out over time.

The behind-the-wheel instruction, led by the parent or legal guardian, is also flexible with no daily requirement. Parents often set aside a few evenings or weekends for these lessons. Find a schedule that works for you and take it step by step!

The Parent-Taught Driver’s Ed Program Guide from TDLR includes a behind-the-wheel instruction log sheet . Parents sign off on each objective as lessons are completed. This log is essential and must be submitted to the DPS when applying for a provisional driver’s license.

As an online driver’s ed student in Texas, your role is to engage actively in the learning process to build the knowledge and skills for safe, responsible driving. Key aspects of your role include:

1. Self-Motivation: Stay committed to completing the course by setting study goals and dedicating time to finish each module.
2. Active Participation: Engage with lessons, watch videos, and complete quizzes to reinforce essential driving concepts.
3. Follow Guidelines and Deadlines: Adhere to course guidelines, complete modules on time, and follow instructions for assessments.
4. Seek Clarifications: Ask questions if needed, using available resources to fully understand driving laws and safety practices.
5. Practice Responsible Online Behavior: Maintain professionalism in interactions with course materials and instructors.
6. Prepare for Exams: Take assessments seriously by reviewing content, practicing sample questions, and seeking help if necessary.
7. Apply Knowledge in Real Life: Start relating what you learn to real-world driving scenarios, focusing on responsible driving behaviors.

Driving restrictions in Texas vary based on age and circumstances. For drivers under 18, common restrictions include limits on cell phone use, seat belt laws, and strict rules against alcohol and drug use. Additional restrictions may apply for special medical conditions and insurance requirements. Since specific rules can vary, it’s essential for drivers to review the Texas Transportation Code and any local ordinances that may apply. For more details, refer to the Texas Driver License Endorsements and Restrictions. 

Starting online driver’s ed in Texas as a teen involves these steps:

1. Meet Eligibility Requirements: You must be at least 14 to start the classroom portion of driver’s ed.
2. Choose an Approved Provider: Select a TDLR-approved online driver’s ed provider. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) lists approved providers on their website.
3. Register and Enroll: Sign up for the Parent-Taught Course, entering details l ike your name, birthdate, and contact information.
4. Complete the Course: Log in and study modules on traffic laws, road signs, safe driving, and more.
5. Pass the Final Exam: After completing coursework, take a final exam covering what you’ve learned.
6. Receive Completion Certificate: Upon passing, you’ll receive a certificate required to apply for your Texas learner’s permit.
7. Apply for a Learner’s Permit: Visit your local DPS office with your certificate and required ID documents to apply.

These steps will help you start and complete Texas online driver’s ed and move toward getting your license. Check with the course provider and Texas DPS for any additional requirements.

The Texas Parent-Taught Driver’s Education (PTDE) packet confirms that the parent who submitted the (DL-92) request has been approved by the state. Once processed, Texas will send the PTDE packet and update the DPS system with this information. Note that the DPS will only accept logged parent-taught hours from the approval date (the day you receive the packet). Any hours logged before receiving the PTDE packet won’t be accepted.

Most online driver’s ed courses allow students to revisit completed coursework, and logged hours can be adjusted as needed. This flexibility helps you align your schedule with the state’s requirements.

If you’ve chosen online parent-taught driver’s ed, your role is straightforward. A quality course will guide you and your teen through the required 32 hours of classroom instruction, leaving you to simply monitor progress and sign off on course completion.

As the in-car instructor, you’ll supervise 7 hours of in-car lessons, 7 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, and an additional 30 hours of driving experience, including 10 nighttime hours. A well-structured course provides prompts and guidance to help you through each step.

Once completed, bring the required forms to the Texas driver’s license office, sign off on the paperwork, and submit it. You’ll then wait as your teen takes the final driving test to earn their license.

Now, parents or guardians who prefer not to teach behind-the-wheel (BTW) skills can still enjoy the flexibility of online learning. A recent Texas law allows individuals over 25 with a valid driver’s license—such as a sibling, cousin, or family friend—to conduct BTW instruction for teens. Alternatively, commercial driving schools work with online providers to offer a hybrid approach, combining 32 hours of online classroom instruction with professional in-car training.

This hybrid model merges the benefits of parent-taught and commercial drivers ed, providing an affordable and flexible option for families who prefer not to handle the BTW instruction themselves.

In Texas, licensing requirements differ for ages 14-17 and 18-24. If you’re nearing 18 and have started an online teen driver’s ed course, you must complete it and obtain your certificate before your 18th birthday. Otherwise, you’ll need to enroll in an approved adult course, as only the adult course certificate qualifies those 18 and older for a license.

While your teen holds a learner’s permit, they can be covered under your vehicle insurance as long as they’re still a student and unlicensed. Once they obtain a driver’s license, they’ll need liability insurance in their own name.

The timeline to drive without a parent depends on whether you’ve submitted Form DL-92 and received the Texas PTDE Packet.

• If Yes: You can start your first 6 hours of classroom work, limited to 2 hours per day, making you eligible for your learner’s permit in 3 days.
• If No: The Parent-Taught approval process takes 3-4 weeks, though requesting email confirmation can reduce this to about a week. Once you receive the PTDE Packet, you’ll need a minimum of 3 days to complete initial coursework before applying for your learner’s permit.

The teen driver’s license certificate is valid until the student turns 19. The certificate issued for completing the Virtual Drive of Texas parent-taught driver education course confirms that all requirements for ages 15-17 have been met.

If you turn 18 before receiving the teen certificate, you’ll need to start a new course for ages 18-24. However, if you receive the certificate before turning 18, it remains valid until age 19. Note that a provisional license expires on the student’s 18th birthday, so further practice will require the adult course.

The TDLR website provides step-by-step instructions for registering as a parent-taught driving instructor. You can check your eligibility to teach your student here.

Online driver’s ed provides flexibility, allowing students to learn at their own pace and on any schedule. Unlike commercial classrooms with fixed attendance times, online courses are accessible 24/7, helping students balance school, activities, and driving education.

For parents, online courses offer a hybrid approach, combining professional curriculum with hands-on guidance. Parent Taught Driver Education (PTDE) lets parents actively engage in their teen’s learning, offering a safe, supportive environment.

Online courses include interactive content, practice tests, and progress tracking, which help students retain concepts and prepare for Texas DPS exams. In all, online driver’s ed is a flexible, affordable alternative, catering to both students’ and parents’ unique needs.