Texas Teen Drivers Ed FAQ

Earning a Texas drivers license should be simple. We know your goal is to get in the drivers seat as soon as possible and with as little hassle as possible—and we can help you.

How does online drivers ed work?

It's simple. Create an account by choosing a username and password. We'll take you through the steps of enrolling in the course and give you some important information. Before you know it you'll be on the road to satisfying your Texas drivers education requirement!

Your course is available to you online 24/7. That means you can log in and out whenever you want and from any computer that has Internet access. When you log back in, we'll take you back to the exact place you left off. Doesn't that sound better than spending time in a classroom? And if you have a question about course content, customer support is open 7 days a week.

At the end of the course there will be a final exam. According to Texas regulations, you are only allowed to take the final exam three times. If you fail the final exam for this course three times, you will have to take the course over again.

How do I get my drivers license?

Step 1: Begin a DPS / TDLR-approved Texas drivers ed course

Texas requires all new drivers under 18 to take drivers education. In order to apply for their Texas learner license / instruction permit, all applicants under 18 must first complete at least 6 hours of a 32-hour DPS / TDLR-approved Texas drivers education course.

The Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Education (PTDE) program is an alternative to the conventional drivers education class. Through this program, teens between the ages of 14 and 17 take the theory part of their drivers education online and parents can provide the behind-the-wheel training.

Our DriversEd.com online Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Education Course was initially approved by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and is now licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). It follows the concurrent method, meaning it has two concurrently taught components, both of which are supervised by a parent or guardian.* It consists of:

1. 32 hours of online coursework on the rules of the road and driver safety
2. 34 hours of in-car driving lessons instruction (including 10 hours of night driving)

Note: Effective September 1, 2013, the required number of hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving will increase from 20 to 30, including 10 hours at night

Course Enrollment Requirements

1. To enroll in Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Education, all Texas drivers education students must first request and receive a Parent-Taught Drivers Education Program Guide from the TDLR. You can submit your request online or by mailing in a completed copy of the Parent Taught Program Guide request form. The fee for the PTDE program guide is $20.
2. The instructor can be a parent, stepparent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent, or legal guardian and must meet the following requirements:
   • Must have a valid Texas drivers license for the last three years. Active U.S. military personnel and their spouse may participate as instructors if they hold a valid license from their state of permanent residence or last duty station for the preceding three years.
   • The instructor must have fewer than 6 points on his or her driving record.
   • Cannot have a conviction (including a probated sentence) of criminally negligent homicide or driving while intoxicated.
   • Must have a license that has not been suspended, revoked, or forfeited in the past three years for traffic–related violations.
   • May not be disabled due to mental illness. Questions as to mental stability will be forwarded to the Medical Advisory Board for determination.

   Please Note:

   It is the responsibility of the instructor to check both their criminal and driver records prior to requesting the program guide. The DPS will not check the instructor's record until the issuance of the learner license or provisional drivers license to the student. For instructors with out of state driver license history during the past 3 years, the instructor must bring a complete driver history called a "certified abstract" from their former state(s) to the driver license office when the student applies for issuance of the learner license or provisional driver license.

   If at that time it is determined that the instructor has a prohibited conviction, the student's learner license or provisional drivers license will be denied and all prior classroom or behind-the-wheel/in-car instruction credit is invalid.

After completing the first 6 hours of PTDE coursework, the student can then apply for the learner license in order to begin in-car instruction. From here, the PTDE course will consist of concurrent behind-the-wheel instruction and online coursework.

Parents or students interested in taking the block method of Parent-Taught Drivers Education (in which the theory part of drivers education is taught first and separate from the behind-the-wheel training) should contact us for details.

Step 2: Study for the Texas learner license / instruction permit test

In order to get the learner license and eventually the Texas drivers license, everyone no matter how old must pass a written test on traffic laws and signs. 70% of test-takers fail on their first try and end up returning to the DMV.

A proven way to increase your chances of passing your learner license test is with up-to-date online Texas DPS practice permit tests. Randomly generated questions test your driving knowledge and prepare you for the real deal.

Fifty online practice permit tests come free with our Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Education Course.

Step 3: Apply for the Texas learner license / instruction permit

Apply for your learner license at a Drivers License Office.

To be eligible for the Texas learner license, you must:

1. Be at least 15 years old.
2. Submit an Application for Texas Drivers License, DL-14A.
3. Pay the required fee for Learner License Issuance.
4. Show proof of Liability Insurance (if you own the vehicle).
5. Show proof of identity.
6. Show proof of Social Security number.
7. Submit a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance in School Form.
8. If taking the Parent-Taught Drivers Education Program, submit the following:
   • Parental Driver Education Affidavit, DL-90A
   • Classroom Instruction Record, DL-91A (proof of completion of objectives for the first 6 hours of the Parent-Taught Education Program) and DL-91B (proof of Behind-the-Wheel completion)
   • PTDE Program Receipt
9. If taking non-parent-taught drivers education, submit a Certificate of Drivers Education, DE-964 Classroom (proof of completion of objectives for the first 6 hours of drivers education)
10. Pass a vision test.
11. Pass the written learner license test. There are 30 multiple choice questions and you'll need a 70% minimum score to pass.
12. Once you pass the written test, you'll be issued a learner license.

Step 4: Practice driving under supervision

Once you have your learner license, if you're under 18, you'll need to practice driving under supervision for at least 6 months. Remember, you can only drive when a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old is seated next to you.

Your learner license must remain valid during the entire 6 months before you can earn your Provisional License. If your learner license is suspended or revoked during this period, upon the completion of the suspension period, the remaining 6 month period must be completed before you can be issued a Provisional License.

Step 5: Take the driving test for your Texas drivers license

Once the student has turned 16 and held a learner license for at least 6 months, the student must pass the driving skills test administered by the DPS prior to receiving a Class C Provisional drivers license.

Starting September 1, 2015, any student taking the 32-hour or parent-taught drivers ed course will need to complete the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) course before taking the driving skills test. The Impact Texas Teen Drivers course is provided for free by the Texas DPS.

When the student is ready to take the driving test and apply for a license, the parent and student need to bring the required documents to the driver license office. These include Classroom Instruction and Behind-the-Wheel Records (DL-91A and DL-91B) for PTDE, PTDE Program Receipt, and the student's ITTD certificate.

Provisional License Restrictions

A Provisional License holder:

1. May not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger in the vehicle under 21 years old who is not a family member.
2. May not operate a vehicle between midnight and 5:00 a.m. unless the operation of the vehicle is necessary for the operator to attend or participate in employment or a school-related activity or because of a medical emergency.
3. May not operate a vehicle while using a wireless communication device, such as a cell phone.

When you turn 18, your Provisional License will expire and you may apply for a standard driving license with full privileges.

Texas Teen Course Eligibility

Who must take Texas drivers education?

If you're between 15 and 18 years old and planning to obtain a Texas learner license, you'll need to complete a DPS / TDLR-approved drivers education course.

DriversEd.com's online course fulfills the Texas drivers education requirement for the Parent-Taught Drivers Education Program (see below).

Does the DriversEd.com course satisfy DPS and TDLR requirements?

Yes. Our course is licensed by the TDLR (course #108) and satisfies all DPS requirements. It is equivalent to the regular 32-hour in-class drivers education course and it provides instructions and time logs for the 34 hours of in-car instruction.

Note: Effective September 1, 2013, the required number of hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving will increase from 20 to 30, including 10 hours at night.

What is instructor-led drivers education?

With instructor-led drivers ed, you can meet the Texas licensing requirements with the support of our certified instructors. After six hours you'll be able to take the online permit test included with the course. Once you have a permit, you can start in-car lessons to meet the mandatory seven hours of observation and seven hours of instruction. You can choose a driving school like ours to meet this requirement.

What is the Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Education (PTDE) Program?

The Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Education (PTDE) program became law in 1997 as an alternative to drivers education in a conventional school setting. This program allows teens to take their drivers education course online (with DPS / TDLR-licensed providers) and allows parents to provide the in-car training.

In order to participate in PTDE, the parent must first submit a request, online or by mail, for a Parent-Taught Drivers Education Program Guide from the TDLR.

The student may not begin the DriversEd.com Texas online course until the parent has received an official PTDE program guide from the TDLR. Typically, any instruction, online or in-car, that occurs prior to the receipt of this program guide will not count toward the required instruction time.

Concurrent Method

Almost all students in Texas complete driver education under the concurrent method. Under the concurrent method, prior to taking the written examination and applying for a learner license, the student, at minimum, must complete the first 6 hours of classroom instructions of any approved Parent Taught Driver Education course.

Prior to beginning any driving (i.e. any behind the wheel driving or in-car observation), the student must obtain a Texas learner license from the Texas Department of Public Safety (to apply the student must be at least 15 years of age and must meet all other eligibility requirements).

Under the concurrent method, after completion of the first 6 hours of the classroom instruction and obtaining a Texas learner license from the Texas Department of Public Safety, the instructor and student must complete the remaining 26 hours of classroom instruction simultaneously with the 7 hours of in-car observation, 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, and 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice (10 hours which must be conducted at night) prior to applying for a driver license.

When can I begin taking the PTDE course?

Before starting PTDE you need to request a PTDE program guide from the TDLR, online or via mail. You may not begin the DriversEd.com Texas online course until your parent has received an official PTDE program guide from the TDLR. Typically, any instruction, online or in-car, that occurs prior to the receipt of this program guide will not count toward the required instruction time. If you got started before receiving your program guide, please read the next question to see what you need to do next.

What can I do if I started the course before getting the PTDE program guide?

• If you started the course but haven't received your Certificate of Partial completion, stop taking the course until you receive the Parent Taught Program Guide. Once you have the program guide you may continue.
• If you started the course and received your Certificate of Partial Completion and you still haven't ordered your program guide, stop taking the course and do the following:

1. Verify your parent is eligible to teach you before ordering the program guide.
2. Order the program guide ASAP from the TDLR.
3. When you receive the program guide, wait for three days (i.e. the minimum number of days required to complete the first 6 hours of the course.)
4. After three days, let us know by emailing us at info@driversed.com to update the date on your Certificate of Partial Completion
5. Get your Permit and start your in-car lessons with your parent

What is the difference between drivers education and drivers training?

Drivers Education: a course that teaches you the rules of the road, vehicle safety, and everything that you need to know before you get behind the wheel for the first time. In Texas, every new driver under 18 years old must take a 32-hour drivers education course before applying for the learner license. DriversEd.com provides a DPS / TDLR-approved Parent-Taught Drivers Education course.

Drivers Training: the in-car driving lessons that you take with a licensed driving instructor. In Texas, if you are under 18, you must take 34 hours of drivers training (7 hours of in-car observation and 27 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, including 10 hours of night driving.) However, if you are participating in the Parent-Taught Drivers Education program, your parent can serve as the instructor for all of your drivers training. See explanation of PTDE above.

Note: Effective September 1, 2013, the required number of hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving will increase from 20 to 30, including 10 hours at night.

Our Course Information

How long will it take for me to finish the course?

That depends on your individual pace. In Texas, adults over 18 and under 25 years of age are required to take a 6-hour drivers education course. The good news is that with DriversEd.com, you can always go at your own pace and log in and out at your convenience. Think how fast time flies if you do 20 minutes here and there

When will I receive my Certificate of Completion?

After you complete the DriversEd.com course, we will mail your Certificate of Completion within 1 business day. All certificates are mailed via First Class Mail by default.

How do I get a duplicate copy of my Certificate of Completion?

To request a duplicate copy of your Certificate of Course Completion after you have graduated, please contact us toll free at 877-877-2525.

Pricing and Payment

How do I make a Payment?

Pay online:

You can pay online using VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or PayPal. You can also pay by credit card by calling our customer service at 888-651-2886. Please note that prepaid debit/gift cards issued by VISA, MasterCard, American Express, etc., cannot be used online. Please call us, and we'll be happy to process your payment.

Pay by mail:

If you would like to pay by check or money order, just mail your payment along with your username to:

DriversEd.com
Attn: Billing Dept.
4201 FM 1960 W, Ste 100
Houston, TX 77068

Once we receive payment, we'll send you a confirmation email and update your course account.

What is DriversEd.com Roadside Assistance?

At DriversEd.com, we are here for you every step of the way - that's why we've teamed up with Allstate Roadside Services to provide DriversEd.com students with 1 month of free roadside assistance. Turns out you can put a price tag on peace of mind!

Here's how it works:

1. Sign up for any DriversEd.com Drivers Ed course.
2. During checkout, make sure to click the button to claim your free trial of Roadside Assistance. Free trial enrollment is only available during checkout. After your trial ends, your card will be charged $5/month, and you can cancel at any time.
3. Hit the road with peace of mind knowing you are covered with emergency roadside assistance.

What you'll get:

• Roadside coverage available 24/7, anywhere in the United States
• Anyone in the DriversEd.com driver's family can use it!
• Digital tools to help you get the right service fast
• Towing, fuel delivery, lockout service, and more!
• For more information about the benefits involved, check out our terms and conditions here.

How do I use my Roadside Assistance service?

If you need to use your Roadside Assistance Benefits for towing, fuel delivery, or another included service, contact Allstate at 1-855-520-3691.

How do I cancel my DriversEd.com Roadside Assistance?

If you would like to cancel your Roadside Assistance, simply contact our dedicated Roadside Assistance agents.

Got more questions? Contact our dedicated DriversEd.com Roadside Assistance line:

Phone: +1 (888) 289-2816
Email: roadside@driversed.com

Refund Policy

It is important to us that you are satisfied with your purchase. If you change your mind about the course, we'll refund the full cost of the course purchased on our website within thirty (30) days of purchase. Refunds will only be issued if the course has not been completed. We will issue your refund within thirty (30) days of your request.

* Adult (18+) course: $5.95 State Certificate and Handling Fee applies