Help Category: Getting Started & Course Eligibility

No additional fees are paid to our company besides the cost of the course. There are a few payments you will need to make to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and the DPS:

• $20 PTDE Program Guide fee paid to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
• ~$16 Learner License Fee paid to the DPS
• ~$11 Driver License Fee paid to the DPS

The fees paid to the DPS will change slightly if a student is over 18.

To begin the course, ensure you are logged into your account.

Steps to Start

• Navigate to the main course page.
• Click on the “Start Course” or “Step 1” button.
• Follow the on-screen instructions for the first step.

If you encounter any issues, please check the rest of the help center or contact support.

Yes, it’s possible to switch to ParentTaught.com if your teen has started driver education with another Texas driving school (either online or a traditional brick-and-mortar school). However, there are a few important things to understand:

Key Considerations When Switching

• Complete ParentTaught.com Course Required: We do not offer a “Behind-the-Wheel Only” or a shortened version of our course. If you switch to ParentTaught.com, your teen will need to enroll in and complete our entire 32-hour online classroom curriculum, regardless of how many classroom hours they completed with the previous school.
• PTDE Program Guide Packet: You must order the PTDE Program Guide Packet from the TDLR and designate an eligible Parent Instructor before any instruction (classroom or behind-the-wheel) under the Parent-Taught program can begin or be officially logged.
• Learner License Holding Period: If your teen already has a Texas Learner License obtained through the previous school, the 6-month minimum holding period for the permit does not restart. The original issuance date of the permit still applies.
• Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Hours: Any formal behind-the-wheel instruction hours (the 14 hours typically provided by a driving school instructor or the designated Parent Instructor) completed with the previous school do not transfer to the Parent-Taught program. Under PTDE rules, all 14 hours of formal instruction and observation must be provided by the designated Parent Instructor (or a driving school via a PTDE transfer certificate after completing our online course) and must occur after you have received your PTDE Program Guide Packet.
• Behind-the-Wheel Practice Hours: The 30 hours of supervised practice driving (which includes 10 night hours) can be logged once your teen has their Learner License and you have your PTDE packet. If your teen has already completed some practice hours with a qualified supervising adult (21+ with license for 1+ year) after getting their permit, those hours may count, provided they are properly documented on the 30-Hour Practice Log.
• Eligibility: You and your chosen Parent Instructor must meet all eligibility requirements for the Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Ed program.

Summary of Steps to Switch:

1. Ensure you have an eligible Parent Instructor.
2. Order the PTDE Program Guide Packet from the TDLR.
3. Enroll in and complete the ParentTaught.com online course (all 32 classroom hours/12 lessons).
4. If your teen doesn’t have a Learner License, they will earn the DE-964 Learner License certificate after Lesson 1 of our course and can then apply for it at the DPS.
5. Complete all 44 required behind-the-wheel hours (14 instruction/observation with Parent Instructor + 30 practice) after receiving the PTDE packet and Learner License.
6. Follow the remaining steps for getting a Provisional License (ITTD course, driving test).

If you have specific questions about your situation, feel free to contact our support team.

First of all, congratulations and welcome to Texas! Here’s the situation, you’re a teen that just moved to Texas from another state. You have an Out of State Learner License or Learners Permit and you want to get your Texas License. Well here’s what you need to do:

1. Go to your local Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) location.
2. Exchange your valid Out of State Learner license/Permit for a Texas Learner License
3. Next the DPS will check your proof of driver education, depending on the proof (or lack of it) they will require different steps:
   1. Without/Insufficient proof of driver education:
      1. Required to complete 32 hours classroom hours and 44 behind the wheel hours.
      2. Purchase a teen drivers ed course (like ours!) and follow the steps.
   2. With proof of driver education:
      1. Required to complete 44 behind the wheel hours
      2. You can do this by purchasing a teen drivers ed course (like ours!) and following the steps.
   3. With proof of driver education and have held the Learner license/Permit for six months:
      1. Complete the Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) program
      2. Successfully pass the driving test

Keep these things in mind:

• The DPS might require different steps for your unique situation. You’ll need to go to the DPS to find out your specific steps.
• Texas law requires that anyone issued a Texas learner license must hold that license for at least six (6) months or until they are 18 years of age, whichever is earlier. If a learner license/permit is exchanged for a Texas learner license, it must be held for 6 months. No credit is given for prior months the applicant held their permit from another state.
• If you are between 16 – 17 years of age and are transferring/presenting a provisional driver license, you will be issued a Texas provisional driver license.

Here’s the situation, you’re almost 18 and want to get your license. Or you’re going to turn 18 while taking the course. Here are your options:

Option 1: Purchase Parent Taught Drivers Ed

If you’re under 18 before starting Parent Taught Drivers Ed, you’re good to go, even if you will turn 18 during the course.

Option 2: Wait until you turn 18

The process of getting your license is faster once you turn 18. Make sure to wait until you are 18 before purchasing an Adult Drivers Ed course.

Yes, our course is approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Our Course Provider number is #C3539. This information can be verified on the official government website here: https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/DESSearch/results/getparenttaught?IsFullCourseOnline=true

The course will guide you through each one of these steps, but if you want an overview as to how the process works, read below:

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This article will review who is eligible to take Texas Parent Taught Drivers Ed.

Student Requirements

• Students must be at least 14 years old. However, they must be 15 before they can earn their Learner License Certificate in the course.
• Students must be enrolled in school (Homeschooling is valid).
• A student must have a valid instructor for the Behind-The-Wheel part of the course.

Instructor Requirements

• Your parent instructor can be your parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent, legal guardian, or an Individual designated by a parent, legal guardian, or judge.
  • If your instructor is a designated individual, they must also have the following qualifications:
    • be at least 25 years old;
    • may not charge a fee for conducting the course; and
    • have at least seven years of driving experience.
• The instructor must have a valid driver license for the prior three years. If they held an out-of-state license during the past three years, they will be required to provide a copy of their driving record showing their three years of licensed driving history.
• Instructors cannot have:
  • a conviction (including a probated sentence) of criminally negligent homicide
  • a conviction (including a probated sentence) of driving while intoxicated in the last seven years
  • had their driver license suspended, revoked, or forfeited for traffic-related violations in the past three years; or six or more points assigned to their driver license.

Verify Instructor Eligibility

Unsure whether or not your instructor is eligible? Take the quiz.