Texas Online Parent-Taught Drivers Ed Guide

1. Purchase our approved Parent-Taught Course.

• Click on the red Purchase Course button to begin! PURCHASE COURSE

*(If you have already purchased a teen drivers ed course then skip this step.)

Before doing anything else, you must: Order the PTDE packet

TDLR Parent Instructor Designation Services
Order here: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/ParentTaught/PT_E.aspx

Get PTDE Receipt # (You will get an email .PDF packet) and submit it when enrolling in the course.

What happens next:
TDLR will email and make available for download your Program Guide. This guide explains how the Parent Taught program works. It also provides driving lesson plans for the Parent/Instructor
Very important:
You will receive a PTDE Receipt # with your packet. DPS will ask for this receipt when the student applies for a permit and license.
Parent/Instructor will need to be present at the TX DPS for learners license appointment. Our course will also request your PTDE receipt #.
No receipt means no permit or license.
Do not start the course until you order this packet.

Choose Your Instructor
Who can be the instructor:

• The instructor must be a parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent, or legal guardian.
• They may also be a person officially designated by a parent, guardian, or judge.
• The instructor must:
• Be at least 25 years old
• Have at least 7 years of driving experience
• Have a valid driver’s license for the past 3 years
• Not charge any fee for teaching

If the instructor held a license in another state, they must provide a 3-year driving record from that state.

Disqualifications
You cannot be an instructor if you have:

• A conviction of criminally negligent homicide
• A DWI in the last 7 years
• A license suspension, revocation, or forfeiture for traffic violations in the past 3 years
• Six or more points on your driving record

Important: Check Your Record First
Before teaching, check your driving record here:
https://txapps.texas.gov/tolapp/txldrcdr/TXDPSLicenseeManager
If the instructor does not qualify:
The student will not receive a permit or license and all training will be invalid.

Special Case (Less Than 3 Years in Texas)
If the instructor has not had a Texas license for the past 3 years, they must obtain a certified driving record from their previous state or country showing at least 3 years of driving history.

Information You Must Keep
Drivers Education of America will need:
PTDE packet front page with receipt number

Bottom Line
Order the PTDE packet first.
Make sure the instructor qualifies.
Keep your PTDE receipt # safe.

If you do not qualify as an instructor, you can choose an Instructor-Led Course with a licensed driving school instead.

3. Begin the course and finish Module 1

At the end of Module 1 there is a test known as the Learner’s License test (Knowledge Test). This test eliminates taking the written test at the DPS. Hooray! Upon passing the test, call Drivers Education of America to verify your basic information. Then download and print your Learners License certificate also known as a PT DE-964.

4. Get your Learner’s License at the TX DPS

Congratulations! Now, if you are 15 years old or older, take your PT DE-964 certificate, the PTDE Program Guide Receipt Page (1st page of your program guide) and other required documents to the DPS. Once there expect a vision test. Upon passing the vision test and submitting all of the correct documents a learner’s permit will be yours! Make sure your parents or legal guardian go to the DPS with you. No parent or guardian, no learner’s permit.

Documents from us to take to DPS (along with your Parent):

• PT DE-964 Learner’s License Certificate (from Drivers Education of America)

Forms From the PTDE Program Guide Packet:

• PTDE Program Guide Receipt Page – it’s just the first page of your program guide from TDLR

Others important things to bring:

• If your parent is not an eligible instructor then a Parent Taught Driver Education Instructor Designation Form will be required.
• Two (2) Proofs of Texas residency (Parent Instructor must bring two forms of proof): deed, mortgage statement, valid and unexpired Texas voter registration card, utility bills, etc
• Two (2) Proofs of Identification and/or legal U.S. residency if applicable: Within this requirement there are primary and secondary forms of proof. The primary form is the Social Security card. Secondary forms are a valid US passport, birth certificate or US certificate of citizenship or naturalization Social Security Card.
• Verification of Enrollment (V.O.E. from public high school or home school): This paperwork proves that you are currently attending school and your grades and attendance are in good standing. You need to fill it out and get it signed by somebody at your school’s administrative office. If you are not in high school but are getting your GED instead, you’ll need to bring the form to your GED program’s office and get them to sign as the administrator. If you get your VOE during the last week of the school year, it is good until the start of the fall semester. During the summer, you can head to your school district’s administrative office and have them sign your VOE form. If you are home-schooled, Write “Home School” or the name of your home school on the top left corner of the form and your county on the top right corner of the form.

5. Complete the Drivers Education of America’s online course and your driving lessons

Finish the rest of the online course and the driving lesson hours with your parent instructor (44 hours of driving with your instructor).

6. Take the ITTD (IMPACT TEXAS TEEN COURSE)

Take the FREE 2-hour Impact Texas Teen Drivers course on the DPS website within 90 days of your driving test.

7. TEST TIME! Get your drivers license!

Take your certificate and other required items to the DPS to take your driving test. You must have held your valid learner license for at least 6 months, unless you have reached 18 years of age. You must also be at least 16 years old to get your Texas drivers license. Want to know what to bring to your driving test? Here are the essentials to bring with you:

Documents from us to take to DPS (along with your Parent):

• PT DE-964 Drivers License Certificate of Completion (from Drivers Education of America)

Forms From the PTDE Program Guide Packet:

• PTDE Program Guide Receipt Page – it’s just the first page of your program guide from TDLR

Others important things to bring:

• Your permit (must be held for at least 6 months)
• ITTD program certificate of completion (expires after 90 days)
• Proof of insurance – Your name does not need to be on the car insurance
• Current registration and inspection sticker (on the windshield of your car)
• Two license plates (front and back)
• Verification of Enrollment (V.O.E. from public high school or home school): This paperwork proves that you are currently attending school and your grades and attendance are in good standing. You need to fill it out and get it signed by somebody at your school’s administrative office. If you are not in high school but are getting your GED instead, you’ll need to bring the form to your GED program’s office and get them to sign as the administrator. If you get your VOE during the last week of the school year, it is good until the start of the fall semester. During the summer, you can head to your school district’s administrative office and have them sign your VOE form. If you are home-schooled, Write “Home School” or the name of your home school on the top left corner of the form and your county on the top right corner of the form.