PTDE Guide

Overview

Learn about the Parent-Taught Driver Education program and how it works in Texas.

Welcome to the complete guide to Texas Parent-Taught Driver Education (PTDE). This guide will walk you through every step of the process, from checking eligibility to getting your driver’s license.

What is Parent-Taught Driver Education?

The Parent-Taught Driver Education program is a state-approved alternative to traditional driving schools in Texas. It allows an eligible parent, legal guardian, or other designated adult to serve as the instructor for a teen’s driver education course. The program combines an online curriculum with in-car training provided by the parent instructor.

Why Choose the Parent-Taught Method?

  • Cost-Effective: PTDE is often significantly more affordable than traditional driving schools, saving families hundreds of dollars.
  • Flexible Scheduling: Learn at your own pace. The online course can be completed anytime, anywhere, and driving lessons can be scheduled around your family’s busy life.
  • Personalized Instruction: As a parent, you know your teen best. You can tailor the in-car instruction to their specific needs and learning style, ensuring they become a confident and safe driver.
  • Quality Family Time: The process of teaching your teen to drive can be a valuable bonding experience.

The Process at a Glance

The journey to getting a Texas driver’s license through the PTDE program involves seven main steps. This guide provides detailed information on each one.

  1. Verify Eligibility: Confirm that both the student and the instructor meet the state’s requirements.
  2. Purchase a Course: Enroll in a TDLR-approved online PTDE course provider like ParentTaught.com.
  3. Order the PTDE Program Guide: Purchase the required packet from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
  4. Get the Learner’s Permit: Complete the first part of the online course and visit the DPS to get the student’s learner license.
  5. Complete Driving Hours: Log 44 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and practice.
  6. Take the ITTD Course: Complete the free, 2-hour Impact Texas Teen Drivers program.
  7. Get the Driver’s License: Pass the driving test at the DPS to get the provisional driver’s license.

Ready to get started? Let’s move on to the first step: verifying eligibility.