What Is the Impact Texas Teen Drivers Program?

The Texas Department of Public Safety created the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) course to educate new drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. The free course is made up of eight video modules that cover the importance of focusing on the road. In total, ITTD takes two hours to complete and it discourages multitasking while driving by sharing true stories about teen drivers.

Is ITTD Required?

If you're under 18 and applying for your license, you will need to complete the course. The state began requiring new drivers to take it in September of 2015 and it must be completed in addition to a state-approved driver education course. You must finish the ITTD course no more than 90 days before you take your behind-the-wheel exam at the license office. If you wait too long to take your exam or if you complete the course too early, you'll have to watch the videos again. In fact, it's best to take the course within a few weeks of your exam appointment so that you have some leeway in the event that you need to take the exam more than once.

How Do I Sign Up for ITTD?

The process of signing up for the course online is easy. You'll just need to fill out some personal details, provide your permit number, and specify which type of driver education course you're taking. When registering, be sure to use your primary email address as your ITTD Certificate of Completion will be emailed to the address you provide. You'll need to bring a printed copy of your certificate with you to the driver license office when you go take your test.

Once you've registered, you can begin watching the videos. You don't need to watch all eight modules at once, but your progress won't be saved if you stop in the middle of a module.

Why Is the ITTD Program Important?

Not only is it required if you want to get your license, but the course is also full of valuable information and moving personal accounts about the dangers of distracted driving. Traffic accidents are the leading cause of death among American teens, so it's important that all new drivers understand the level of responsibility they're assuming when they get behind the wheel.

Based on a program created by a California non-profit, Impact Texas Teen Drivers uses state-specific statistics and case studies to inspire teens to adopt good habits and become safe drivers. Of course, teenagers aren't the only Texans who sometimes multitask while driving. That's why the state is in the process of creating Impact Texas Driver programs for other age groups as well.