24-Hour Instructor-Taught Texas Driver Education Course

Step 1: Enroll in the TDLR-Approved Instructor-Led Driver’s Ed Course (Sometimes also referred to as the “Self-Paced” Course)

Begin by enrolling in our TDLR/DPS-approved Texas Instructor-Led Driver’s Ed Course. This course covers all 24 hours of state-required classroom instruction to help teens earn their Texas learner’s permit and driver’s license.

Step 2: Complete the Online Coursework

The initial six hours focus on preparing for the Texas DPS written permit test. With TDLR approval, our course includes the DPS test online, saving students a trip to the DPS office.

Step 3: Apply for Your Texas Learner’s Permit

After passing the first six hours and the DPS test, print your certificate, gather the required identification, and visit your local Texas DPS office to apply for your learner’s permit.

Step 4: Begin Behind-the-Wheel Training

With a learner’s permit in hand, teens can start their behind-the-wheel driving lessons with an approved driving school. The student will continue working through the final 18 hours of online classroom lessons during this time as well. 

**Make sure to check with your local driving school, many will require the classroom hours to be completed in full before signing up for driving lessons.

Step 5: Complete the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) Course

Texas requires all drivers to complete the free Impact Texas course after finishing driver’s ed. The ITTD course must be completed before taking the DPS road test.

Step 6: Apply for Your Texas Driver’s License

After completing the 24-hour course, required driving hours, and ITTD course (and reaching the age of 16), students can apply for their Texas driver’s license.

**Keep copies of the DE-964 certificate for insurance and personal records. 

While both Parent-Taught and Instructor-Led driver’s ed require the same course work and hours, the approach differs significantly. Parent-Taught driver’s ed allows parents to guide their teen’s learning with online tools and resources, providing flexibility for family schedules. In contrast, our Instructor-Led Driver’s Ed course offers a structured, Texas state-approved learning experience, with certified instructors delivering professional, online instructional training. This approach allows the teen to utilize a local driving school for their behind the wheel hours but still allows them to take a course online for learning flexibility. 

This ensures teens receive consistent guidance and expert instruction to prepare for their Texas learner’s permit and driver’s license. 

The time required to complete the Texas Instructor-Led Driver’s Ed course depends on the student’s schedule and pace. Most students finish within four months, though some complete it in as little as two months, while others may take up to six months.

As a self-paced course, teens can complete the 24 hours of classroom instruction at their convenience, whether dedicating an hour or two each day or working around extracurriculars and other commitments. Upon completing the classroom portion and obtaining a learner’s permit, the student is transferred to the driving school of their choice for 14 hours of behind-the-wheel training, including 7 hours of driving and 7 hours of in-car observation.

In addition to the driving school’s instruction, students must complete 30 more driving hours with a parent or guardian, including 10 nighttime hours. Although the course requires a significant amount of practice, the six-month permit period provides ample time to complete all driving hours and prepare for the Texas driver’s license test.

Students can begin the Texas Instructor-Led Driver’s Ed course as early as 14 years old. However, they won’t be eligible for a learner’s permit until age 15. Teens under 18 must complete an approved driver education course to qualify for a Texas provisional driver’s license. 

The Texas Instructor-Led Driver Education course includes the required 24 hours of classroom instruction. It does not include the 44 hours of behind-the-wheel training. These in-car hours are done through your local driving school of choice. Students using the Instructor-Led method of online classroom are still required to complete the 7 hours of in-car observation, 7 hours of driving with a certified instructor, and 30 additional hours of practice with a parent or guardian. These state-mandated hours help prepare teens for their Texas learner’s permit and driver’s license.