Before you begin the Parent-Taught Driver Education program, it’s crucial to ensure that both the student and the chosen instructor meet all the requirements set by the state of Texas.

Student Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the PTDE program, a student must:

• Be between 14 and 17 years of age. (Note: You can start the classroom portion at 14, but you must be at least 15 to apply for a learner’s permit).
• Be enrolled in a public school, private school, or homeschool program and be in good academic standing. This is verified with a Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form.

Instructor Eligibility Requirements

The instructor is the most important part of the parent-taught process. It is your responsibility to ensure your instructor is eligible. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will verify the instructor’s record when you apply for the learner’s permit and again for the driver’s license.

Who can be an instructor?

The instructor can be the student’s parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent, or legal guardian. A parent or guardian can also designate another individual who meets the requirements.

The instructor MUST:

• Have held a valid driver’s license for the last three years. (If the license is from out-of-state, a copy of their driving record for the past three years is required).

The instructor CANNOT have:

• A conviction of criminally negligent homicide.
• A conviction for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) in the last seven years.
• Had their driver’s license suspended, revoked, or forfeited for traffic-related violations in the last three years.
• Six or more points on their driver’s license.

What if the Parent/Guardian is Not Eligible?

If a parent or guardian is not eligible, they can designate another individual to be the instructor. This designated person must meet all the standard instructor requirements, plus:

• Be at least 25 years old.
• Have at least seven years of driving experience.
• Cannot charge a fee for the instruction.