Parent-Taught Driver’s Education (PTDE) is a Texas program that allows parents or legal guardians to guide their teen through driver training while completing the required classroom instruction through a state-approved online driver education course.
Unlike traditional driving schools, the Parent-Taught program allows families to combine online driver education with supervised driving practice, giving teens the flexibility to learn at their own pace while gaining real-world experience behind the wheel.
All Parent-Taught Driver’s Education programs must be approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and follow requirements recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Families can verify approved providers through the TDLR driver education course search.
The Texas Parent-Taught Driver’s Education process follows several required steps established by TDLR and DPS.
Before beginning, the parent instructor must register with the state by completing the DL-92 Parent-Taught Driver Education Affidavit.
This confirms the parent or guardian is eligible to supervise the training.
Requirements include:
Being the teen’s parent, legal guardian, or court-appointed guardian
Holding a valid driver license
Meeting Texas eligibility requirements to supervise instruction
Helpful guide:
Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Ed Requirements
Teens must complete the classroom portion of driver education through a TDLR-approved online course.
Courses include:
Texas traffic laws
safe driving habits
defensive driving techniques
road safety awareness
The first 6 hours of instruction prepare students for the Texas learner’s permit written test.
After completing the initial course modules, teens take the DPS knowledge test.
Many online programs allow the test to be completed within the course.
Once passed, students receive a certificate that allows them to apply for their Texas learner’s permit at the DPS.
Helpful guides:
Texas Written Driving Test
What Is a Texas Learner’s Permit?
After receiving the learner’s permit, teens begin supervised driving practice.
Texas requires:
44 hours of supervised driving
including 10 hours at night
These hours include both observation and behind-the-wheel instruction as required by Texas driver education law.
The parent instructor supervises all driving practice using structured lesson plans provided in the course.
This phase builds real-world driving experience while reinforcing safe driving habits.
Before taking the driving test, teens must complete the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) course.
This free course focuses on:
distracted driving risks
crash prevention
safe driving awareness
Completion is required before scheduling the DPS road test.
Once all requirements are met, teens may apply for their Texas provisional driver license.
Requirements include:
completing the driver education course
holding a learner’s permit for at least 6 months
finishing supervised driving hours
completing the ITTD course
Students will also receive a DE-964 driver education certificate, which verifies completion of the course.
Many Texas families choose the PTDE program because it offers:
flexible scheduling for busy families
personalized driving instruction
the convenience of online classroom learning
the ability to practice driving in familiar environments
Parents also gain direct involvement in helping their teen develop safe driving habits.
Virtual Drive of Texas offers a TDLR-approved Parent-Taught Driver’s Education course designed to guide families through every step of the licensing process.
Our program includes:
step-by-step guidance through the Texas driver licensing process
preparation for the learner’s permit test
structured behind-the-wheel driving logs
certificates required by DPS
Explore the course to start your teen’s driver education journey with confidence.
