Am I Eligible to Teach? Texas Requirements for Parent Instructors

Who Can Be a Parent Instructor?

Texas law defines "parent" broadly for PTDE purposes, but there are still rules. The instructor must be one of the following:

Biological Parent

Adoptive Parent

Stepparent

Legal Guardian

Grandparent

Step-Grandparent

Foster Parent (with documentation)

Designated Individual (25+, 7yr experience)

Aunt/Uncle (unless designated)

Older Sibling (unless designated)

Family Friend (unless designated)

Boyfriend/Girlfriend of Parent

Driving Record Requirements

Your driving history matters. To be eligible as a parent instructor, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:

You MUST Have:

A valid Texas driver's license (Class A, B, C, or CDL — not expired, suspended, or revoked)

At least 3 years of licensed driving experience (out-of-state and international history counts)

You CANNOT Have:

A DWI or DUI conviction in the past 7 years

A conviction for criminally negligent homicide involving a motor vehicle (lifetime bar)

Driving with a suspended or revoked license in the past 3 years

Six or more points on your license in the past 3 years

Three or more moving violations in the past 3 years

Two or more moving violations resulting in an accident in the past 3 years

A B restriction on your license

Leaving the scene of an accident (hit and run) in the past 3 years

Racing on a highway in the past 3 years

Criminal History Restrictions

Texas also considers criminal history when determining eligibility. Key disqualifications include:

• Criminally negligent homicide involving a motor vehicle (lifetime disqualification)
• Assault with a motor vehicle
• Any felony involving a motor vehicle

Not Sure About Your Eligibility?

Contact TDLR directly at 1-800-803-9202 for clarification on your specific situation.

What About Stepparents?

Stepparents ARE eligible to be parent instructors in Texas, but there are some considerations:

Legal marriage required:You must be legally married to the student's parent

Same household:You should be living in the same household as the student

Same eligibility rules:All driving record and criminal history requirements still apply

Documentation:May need marriage certificate for PTDE packet

How to Verify Your Eligibility

Check Your Driving Record

Request your driver record from DPS (available online for a small fee). Review for any disqualifying offenses in the past 3 years.

Verify License Status

Confirm your license is valid and not expired. Check that you've held a license for at least 3 years.

Confirm Insurance Coverage

Ensure the vehicle you'll use for instruction has current liability insurance.

Review Relationship Documentation

If you're a stepparent, foster parent, or guardian, gather documentation proving your relationship.

What If I'm Not Eligible?

If you don't qualify as a parent instructor, you still have options:

Other eligible parent: If there's another parent/stepparent in the household who qualifies, they can be the instructor
Commercial driving school: Enroll your teen in a licensed Texas driving school
Wait it out: If your disqualifying offense will age out of the 3-year window, you may choose to wait

Eligibility Self-Check

If you can answer "yes" to all of these questions, you're likely eligible:

I am the parent, stepparent, or legal guardian of the student

I have held a valid driver's license for at least 3 years

I have no DWI/DUI convictions in the past 7 years

I have no disqualifying criminal history

My license is currently valid (not suspended or revoked)

I have liability insurance on the instruction vehicle