TEXAS DRIVERS LICENSE QUESTIONS

As a part of the 6-hour Driver Education requirement before taking the skills (behind the wheel) examination, ITAD (Impact Texas Adult Drivers) is a separate mandatory program to be completed within 90 days before the skills examination, (following the 6-hour Adult Driver Education Course for those required to take a course).

Who needs to complete ITAD?

All first time drivers over 18 must complete ITAD before the drive test, with the certificate valid for 90 days. Applicants aged 18-24 with a DE-964 from a Teen Driver Education course (24 hours classroom, 44 hours behind the wheel) are also required to watch the 2-hour ITAD video.

Does the ITAD certificate expire?

Yes, the ITAD certificate is valid for 90 days. If the drive test isn’t passed within this period, the ITAD program must be restarted.

Can I watch the 1-hour video in parts?

Yes, the ITAD video is split into three modules for flexible viewing, with each module needing completion before progressing.

How do I receive my ITAD certificate?

Your certificate will be emailed to your registered account and can be printed from the ITAD website under “course overview” and “reprint certificate.”  

Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) is a free, 2-hour video emphasizing the risks of distracted driving, featuring real-life stories of teens affected by fatal accidents.

This course is mandatory for drivers aged 15-17 completing a parent-taught or minor driver education course.

Completion of ITTD is required after behind-the-wheel driver education and before taking the driving skills test. A completion form from the Impact Texas course is needed to get your driver’s license and must be completed within 90 days of taking the driving test, but after completing driver education. 

Defensive driving is a proactive driving technique that emphasizes anticipating and responding to potential hazards on the road to prevent accidents. It involves using safe driving practices and being aware of your surroundings to minimize risks. Defensive driving courses teach these skills and techniques to help drivers become more cautious and prepared on the road, ultimately enhancing safety for themselves and others. 

Defensive driving is not always mandatory for ticket dismissal in Texas, but it is often a preferred option. In many cases, completing a state-approved defensive driving course, like ours, can be used to dismiss a traffic ticket and prevent points from appearing on your driving record. However, eligibility requirements and specific court policies vary, so it’s essential to check with the court handling your ticket to determine if defensive driving is an option for dismissal. If eligible, completing defensive driving can be a beneficial way to resolve a traffic violation while improving your driving skills and potentially earning insurance discounts. 

While we are partial to the popular courses offered here at Virtual Drive of Texas and we pride ourselves on driver safety and our high passing rates, when looking for the best Texas state-approved online defensive driving course, consider factors like course quality, affordability, and convenience. Of course our school is TDLR-approved and offers a user-friendly online platform with engaging content and interactive features. It allows you to complete the course at your own pace from any device. 

Taking defensive driving in Texas offers several benefits:

1. Ticket Dismissal: Completing a defensive driving course can dismiss a recent traffic ticket, preventing it from affecting your driving record and potentially leading to increased insurance rates.
2. Insurance Discounts: Many insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who complete defensive driving courses, leading to savings on your auto insurance premiums.
3. Skill Enhancement: Defensive driving courses teach advanced driving techniques that enhance your ability to anticipate and respond to potential hazards on the road, making you a safer driver.
4. Point Reduction: Completing defensive driving can result in a reduction of points on your driving record, which helps maintain a clean driving history and avoid license suspension.
5. Court Requirement: In some cases, a court may require or recommend defensive driving as part of resolving a traffic violation or offense.  

Yes, taking defensive driving in Texas can often lead to a reduction in your insurance rates. Many insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who complete a state-approved defensive driving course. By demonstrating your commitment to safe driving practices and risk reduction, you may qualify for a discount on your auto insurance premium. It’s recommended to check with your insurance provider to confirm the specific details and eligibility criteria for obtaining a discount after completing defensive driving. 

Online defensive driving courses in Texas typically take 6 hours to complete. This duration is mandated by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for ticket dismissal purposes. However, the course is self-paced, allowing you to complete it at your convenience within a certain timeframe, such as 90 days from the date of registration. Completing the course within this timeframe enables you to dismiss a traffic ticket and potentially earn an insurance discount. 

To dismiss a traffic ticket in Texas, you can typically complete a state-approved defensive driving course. Here’s how:

1. Confirm Eligibility: Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements to dismiss your ticket through defensive driving. Generally, you must have a valid Texas driver’s license and not have taken a defensive driving course for ticket dismissal within the past 12 months.

2. Request Permission: Request permission from the court to take a defensive driving course. This can usually be done by submitting a request either in person or by mail.

3. Enroll in an Approved Course: Enroll in and complete a Texas-approved defensive driving course. (We like to recommend ours.) Make sure the course is certified by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for ticket dismissal. Of course the defensive driving products from Virtual Drive of Texas are approved.

4. Complete the Course: Successfully complete all requirements of our defensive driving course, including any quizzes or exams.

5. Submit Completion Certificate: Obtain a completion certificate from the defensive driving course provider. Submit this certificate along with any required documents to the court within the specified deadline.

6. Follow Court Instructions: Follow any additional instructions from the court, such as paying court fees or submitting paperwork, to ensure your ticket is dismissed successfully.

By following these steps and completing an approved defensive driving course, you can often dismiss a traffic ticket in Texas and avoid points on your driving record.

Nuestro curso de educación vial en línea en español, de primera categoría, ha sido muy popular. Está aprobado por el estado de Texas y promueve el aprendizaje de forma segura, rápida y cómoda desde casa. Aprende a conducir con el Curso de Español para Adultos de Virtual Drives.

While any online course you ask will tell you it’s them, we feel very strongly about Virtual Drive being the best online driver’s education provider in Texas. Virtual Drive of Texas was the first to bring online driver’s education to our state. We are a family run business, with all employees residing and working in Texas, with safety and a high pass rate as our top two goals. While there are many online driver’s ed courses to choose from, none have been in the business as long as Virtual Drive. For all your need-to-know questions, check out our comparison chart . 

Although driver’s education in Texas is not offered free of charge, the cost of courses can differ significantly. Prices vary depending on the type of license sought and can be viewed on the respective course websites. Our pricing is designed to remain competitive within the market, and we continuously update it to ensure it remains current and affordable.

The Texas Online Driver Education program covers the mandatory 24 hours of in-class training necessary for driver’s education. Upon completion of this course, students can choose to fulfill the remaining 44 hours of required behind-the-wheel training either alongside an eligible parent/guardian or through a certified driving school instructor. This flexibility allows students to meet the full training requirement conveniently and efficiently. 

A Texas driver’s license is not only a document demonstrating authorization to drive but it is also a nationally accepted form of identification that can be used to prove your identity. The Texas State ID is only used as an identification card.

You can learn more about the states Real ID requirements here .

The difference between the learners permit and driver’s license is pretty simple, but does depend on the applicants age.

For teens (15-17):

A permit only allows you to drive with a licensed driver, 21 or older, in the front passenger seat. This permit must be held for at least 6 months before eligibility for a license becomes possible.

In order to receive a provisional driver license in Texas, you must be 16 years of age, have held the permit for at least 6 months and met all DPS requirements (including passing the driving test).

For adults (18+):

Adults are not required to get a permit when going to the DPS. They have 2 options:

• Go directly to the driving test and walk away with a driver license upon passing that test. 
• Put off the driving test until ready and begin with a permit type driver license. In this case they will be issued a Class C- B restricted license to begin with until they are ready to complete the driving test. This restriction acts similar to the teen learner’s permit by requiring a licensed driver 21 or older in the front passenger seat, but does not have the same 6 month holding restriction.

Once the adult is ready to take the driving test, they can go to the DPS or find a local Third Party Test Provider and upon passing the driving skill test, receive the final unrestricted driver license.  

While new drivers in Texas under the age of 18 are required to apply for a Learner License, once you pass your 18th birthday, this is no longer a required step toward getting your drivers license.

One of the most common questions we are asked is “Can I get my license at 18 without a permit in Texas?” And the answer is yes! 

For teens, one of the first requirements is completion of a driver education course. You can begin the classroom phase of a driver education course at 14 years of age, but you cannot apply for a learner license until you are at least 15 years of age. 

You’ll typically need proof of identity, Social Security number, Texas residency documents, driver education completion certificate (if required for your age), and any DPS application forms. Document lists vary by age and situation—confirm requirements for your appointment before you go.

What is the difference between Online Parent-Taught and Online Commercial drivers ed? 

We like to view the motto for the Parent-Taught industry as “WE’VE GOT THIS,” but the reality is that some parents would just feel more comfortable having their student learn the hands-on experience of traffic school from a professional.

We partner with commercial driving schools so they can provide online drivers ed to their students in order to maintain the simplicity and freedom of learning from a mobile classroom experience. These schools have joined us in our passion for making drivers ed a fun and retentive experience where we’re created a hybrid course that allows commercial schools to join us in our motto of “WE’VE GOT THIS.” 

If you are interested in learning the classroom portion online but prefer to do the behind the wheel hours through a driving school, consider our instructor-led course .

If you are a Commercial Driving School interested in partnering with us, please let us know! We’d love to team up. Email us at contact@vdriveusa.com

The difference between concurrent and block teaching methods of driver’s education courses relates to how the classroom and behind-the-wheel (BTW) instruction components are structured and scheduled:

Concurrent Method:

• In a concurrent driver’s education course, the classroom instruction and BTW training are typically conducted simultaneously or concurrently. This means that students receive both classroom education and practical driving instruction concurrently throughout the duration of the course.
• Students often attend classroom sessions on certain days or weeks while also participating in behind-the-wheel training during the same period.
• This method can be more intensive and immersive as students engage in both theoretical learning and hands-on driving experience concurrently.

Block Method:

• In a block driver’s education course, the classroom instruction and BTW training are separated into distinct blocks or segments.
• Students complete the classroom portion of the course first, which may involve attending daily or weekly sessions over a set period of time (e.g., several weeks).
• After completing the classroom component, students then proceed to the behind-the-wheel training phase, which is typically scheduled separately and may involve a concentrated period of driving lessons.
• This method allows students to focus exclusively on classroom learning initially before transitioning to practical driving instruction.

Key Differences:

• Structure: Concurrent courses integrate classroom and BTW instruction concurrently, while block courses separate these components into distinct phases.
• Timeline: Concurrent courses may have a more overlapping or intertwined timeline for classroom and driving instruction, whereas block courses follow a sequential timeline with separate phases.
• Intensity: Concurrent courses can be more intensive as students balance classroom learning with driving practice throughout the course duration. Block courses may allow for more focused and concentrated learning in each phase.

The choice between concurrent and block methods often depends on factors such as student preferences, scheduling flexibility, availability of instructors, and educational objectives.

(If you plan to use a local driving school for your behind-the-wheel learning, check with them ahead of time to see if they require a specific method.)

The first thing that comes to mind is how involved must a parent be in their child’s driver’s ed process. The idea of a commercial driving school is to allow a professional to take on the initial responsibility of providing your child with what is needed to be a safe driver.

What most parents in Texas don’t know is that the majority of the driving, no matter the method, must still be carried out by the student’s primary guardian. This means that out of the 44 hours of driving expected from the student, 30 of those hours are still being administered by, most likely, the parent.

The myth that commercial driver’s ed classrooms are all-encompassing, removing the parent from responsibility over their student’s driving experience is just that, a myth. Online driver’s ed, whether it be parent-taught or commercial, provides the parent the ability to achieve the same peace of mind in professionals to the same extent achieved through the commercial classroom route alone. The introduction of hybrid online commercial schools has helped to bridge the gap created by these two industries. 

Repetition and challenging yourself are the most promising ways to ensure the confidence needed to succeed. Practice tests provide an excellent opportunity to not only test what you have learned but also become familiar with the type of questions you might see on the final examination. Additionally, in-car video tips can help prepare the parent to understand the style and flow of how most parents conduct their behind-the-wheel training.

If you would like more details on our supplemental training options, please check out the links below.

• Virtual Drive Parent In-Car Lessons
• Virtual Drive Test Prep Package 

This process can be as simple as pushing the next button. It also can be as difficult as spending days organizing and collecting state information to compile a comprehensive educational curriculum. The reason online driver’s ed has grown at such a substantial rate is the ever-growing convenience that it provides. The driver education process in Texas is just that, a process, which means there is a step-by-step experience that your course should, with simplicity and ease, manage to get you through without ever having to ask this question. If your online driver’s education program doesn’t provide you this peace of mind, then question the quality of your product. 

3 major examinations make up the driver’s education process.

• The first tests the student’s understanding of the beginning 6 hours of curriculum to obtain the learner’s permit.
• Second, comes the final classroom examination administered once all 24 hours of classroom study have been completed. 
• Finally, there is the in-car examination carried out by a DPS official at the time of acquiring the Texas license.

Classroom examinations can be taken on at the DMV. However, most online courses in Texas, including Virtual Drive, provide their students with classroom exams through the online course itself. 

Yes, both DPS classroom exams are available to take through the online course itself. Completion of these exams with a passing grade provides you with the proper state verification of exam completion. This means that your final test can be taken anywhere you find to be a comfortable environment. 

Parent-Taught Steps to getting started and obtaining your learner’s permit and driver’s license.

First things first, make sure you are qualified to teach the parent-taught method. You can find out here .

Step 1: Learner’s Permit

1. Purchase your desired online driver’s ed course.
2. Complete the state-required (DL-92) application for the Texas PTDE (Parent Taught Drivers Education) Packet. **Not sure if you’ve done this or need to do it now? You can register or check your status here .
3. Once the PTDE packet has been received, the student may then, and only then, begin the first 6 hours of the course required to obtain their learner’s permit. 
4. After completion of the first module (the first 6 hours), the student will then take their learner’s permit test. This test will most likely be provided by the course you choose; however, you also have the option to take the test at the driver’s license office.
5. Now that the requirements for the permit are complete, it is time to gather your paperwork and head to the driver’s license office. The list includes:

• Verification of Enrollment Form (get it here) – You must have received this within the last 30 days before going to the DPS. This comes from your public or private school. Homeschoolers will have their parents sign.
• DL-14A (get it here) – Application for Driver License – You can fill this out before going or wait until you get to the DPS. But DO NOT sign yet, the DPS office will verify your signature.
• Birth Certificate (Original)
• Social Security Card
• Proof of Residency – The parent must show 2 forms of proof of residency.
• DE-964E Form – This is your certificate of completion for the first 6 hours of your 24 hours of coursework. (The Learner’s Permit section of the course) **You will receive a second certificate at the end of the 24 hours when it is time to get your final Driver’s License.

Step 2: Driver’s License

Acquiring the learner’s permit means you are now eligible to begin the second step of the classroom work for the Driver’s License, along with the “Behind-The-Wheel” lessons that correspond with what the student has just learned. It is also possible for you to follow the block method of learning. This requires completion of the full classroom before beginning any hands-on work.

• At this point, you will continue following your course’s design until you have completed the final 18 hours of online classroom lessons and the 44 hours of behind-the-wheel lessons and practice hours. There will be course content, worksheets, and quizzes throughout that must be completed to move on to the final exam.
• The final written exam is solely based on the classroom work. Even if the driving has not been finalized, the final exam can still be taken.

Going Down To The DPS

The completion of the final exam with a passing grade of 70 or higher means the end of your classroom requirements. Once the driving lessons and experience hours have been completed, the 6-month permit requirement has been met, and the student is 16 years old, you are ready for the driver’s license office.

Here is what you will need for your DPS visit:

• DE-964 (Completion Certificate)
• DL-14a (Driver’s License Application)
• Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) certificate
• Proof of identity (passport or birth certificate)
• Proof of Social Security number
• Two proofs of Texas residency
• VOE (Verification of Enrollment)
• Proof of passing the driving test (if taken with a third party)
• Application fee 

To answer this question, you would first need to answer one of the following questions with a “Yes”:

• An unusual economic hardship for the family of the minor.
• A death-related emergency.
• Sickness or illness or disability of family members. (PHYSICIAN’S STATEMENT REQUIRED)
• Enrollment in a Vocational Education Program. (CERTIFICATION FROM SCHOOL REQUIRED)

If you meet any of these scenarios and would like to apply to the state, Please download the DL-77 .

This process is instant with Virtual Drive and should be instant, if not at least same-day delivery for most others.

The state of Texas changed the requirements for a driver ed certification to be hard copy. This began allowing for digital copies to be used, and the long waiting game came to an end. Now, our course provides you with immediate satisfaction once your final test has been completed with a passing grade. 

This question can be answered in two ways:

Technical answer:

1. 6 Hours of the Learner Permit Classroom are required to receive the permit.
2. 18 Hours of post-permit classroom to receive the final course completion certificate.
3. 14 Hours of Behind-The-Wheel training.
4. 30 hours of experience driving (10 of which are at night).
5. 68 total hours must be completed to receive the Texas driver’s license.

The parent instructor can teach a maximum of 2 hours of behind-the-wheel driving instruction per day. However, up to 4 hours of total in-car training (including observation) can be counted per day, as long as the behind-the-wheel instruction doesn’t exceed two hours. If you and your student plan to do both online and in-car instruction on the same day, the total time must not exceed 6 hours per day, with no more than 2 hours of behind-the-wheel practice.

The reality is that many students and parents tend to have other life priorities take precedence. The main reason someone takes online driver’s ed is to create flexibility in their life. No one wants driver education running their schedule. That’s just part of it, life happens. 

The permit must be held for at least 6 months and until the student is 16 years old.

This means that all students must wait at least 6 months before they can even receive their Texas driver’s license. Feel free to spread the hours of learning throughout that 6-12 month(s) in whatever schedule fits your needs.  

Simply put, 6-12 months, depending on if you are under the age of 18 years old.  No matter how you break down your coursework, you are still required to hold your permit for at least 6 months after receiving your learner’s permit.  You must also be 16 years of age unless you qualify for a hardship license. Apply by filing the state form DL-77 .

No, all aspects of online driver’s ed are designed to create stress-free and comfortable environments for learning, as well as testing. Forcing time restraints on something as crucial as final examinations would not provide that crucial element of peace while completing each step of your education. Virtual Drive students have 3 attempts to pass each test, giving them plenty of ability to achieve a passing grade. 

The certificate of completion should be a digital copy that becomes available once the final examination has been completed. Just as with the rest of your course, the step-by-step layout of your course will prompt you on when and how to receive the certificate. At Virtual Drive of Texas you can choose to print the certificate or find out whether your local DPS office will accept an emailed copy. 

Yes. Not only is it a good idea to have a spare copy of your certificate for your sake, but there is also the likelihood that your insurance will ask for a copy to qualify you for their teen driver discount. Cost should not be an issue considering your certificate is printable; leaving you free to print as many copies as you might need. 

You will visit the Texas Department of Public Safety once you are ready for either the permit or license. The Texas DPS manages the license given out to each new driver. It is not a requirement to go to the DPS of your resident county to complete the driver’s license process. Check out our Texas DPS information page to find out more about the department and locations.