When you ordered your PTDE packet from TDLR, you designated an official parent instructor. If circumstances have changed and you need a different instructor, the good news is that it's possible — and free. The process goes through TDLR, not your course provider.
Common Reasons to Change Your Instructor
Families need to change their designated instructor for a variety of reasons:
- Divorce or separation — the original instructor is no longer in the household
- Health issues — the instructor can no longer safely supervise driving
- Eligibility problems — a traffic violation or license issue discovered after designating
- Relocation — the student is now living with a different parent or grandparent
- Scheduling conflicts — another eligible family member is more available
Whatever the reason, the process is the same. The new instructor must meet the eligibility requirements — a valid Texas license held for 3+ years, a clean driving record, and no disqualifying criminal history.
What You'll Need
Before starting, gather the following information:
- The student's full name and date of birth
- Your PTDE packet receipt number (starts with 452PT)
- The new instructor's full legal name
Don't have your receipt number? You can look it up using the TDLR Packet Lookup tool.
Step-by-Step: How to Change Your Instructor
Step 1: Submit the TDLR Change Request Form
Fill out the TDLR Instructor Change Request form with the student's name, date of birth, receipt number, and the new instructor's name. Select email as your delivery method for the updated packet.
Step 2: Wait for TDLR to Process
TDLR will update the instructor on your packet and notify you by email. Processing times vary:
- Normal periods: A few days to one week
- Peak seasons (summer, spring break): Can take over a week
If you haven't heard back after a week (or two weeks during peak season), follow up with TDLR directly.
Step 3: Download Your Updated Packet
Once TDLR confirms the change, download your updated packet from the TDLR Packet Lookup page. The packet may still appear under the original email address, so try that if your current email doesn't work.
Verify the change: Check the bottom right of the first page of the packet to confirm the new instructor's name appears correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost anything to change the instructor?
No. There is no fee to change your designated parent instructor. The change is processed by TDLR at no additional cost.
Can ParentTaught.com change my instructor for me?
No. The instructor designation is registered with TDLR, not with your course provider. Only TDLR can update the instructor on your PTDE packet. You must submit the request directly to TDLR using the form linked above.
What if I submitted the form but haven't heard back?
Contact TDLR directly:
- Phone: (800) 803-9202
- Contact form: TDLR General Inquiry
Do my driving hours reset when I change instructors?
No. Your course progress and any logged driving hours are not affected by an instructor change. The new instructor picks up where the previous one left off.
For a quick-reference version of these steps, see our help article on changing your instructor.