Chris
Sonny JQuestions about Parent-Taught Drivers Ed in Texas (FAQs)
Course Information
- Who needs to take Texas drivers ed? Is there an age requirement?
- How does I Drive Safely’s Texas parent-taught drivers ed work?
- What’s the difference between the Texas parent-taught drivers ed course and the Texas TDLR-approved drivers ed course?
- How do I qualify to be an instructor for Parent-taught drivers ed in Texas?
- Does your online drivers ed course satisfy Texas DPS requirements?
- How long will it take me to finish the course?
- What if I don’t pass the Texas online drivers ed final exam?
- How soon will I receive my certificate of completion?
- How do I apply for a Texas learner license?
- What is Roadside Assistance?
- I have questions about my Roadside Assistance. Who should I contact?
- How do I cancel my Roadside Assistance?
Course Information
In Texas, individuals who are between the ages of 14 and 17 are required to take a driver education course to obtain a learner’s permit. The Texas Parent Taught Drivers Ed (PTDE) program is one option for fulfilling this requirement. Individuals must be at least 14 years old to begin the classroom portion of the PTDE, and they must be at least 15 years old to apply for a learner’s permit.
The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) oversees the driver education requirements in the state, and they have specific guidelines that must be followed. It’s recommended to check with the TDLR or a licensed driving school for the most up-to-date information on age requirements and other eligibility criteria for Texas drivers ed.
The TDLR requires that the drivers ed course be at least 24 hours, and stipulates that it can’t be completed in fewer than 5 days. Our course is designed so that students are only able to learn for a maximum of six hours a day, which includes up to two hours of behind-the-wheel instruction per day. This ensures they are truly learning the content and not just clicking through to the end as fast as possible. The information in our course is broken up into units, each covering a specific topic regarding driving in Texas. After your teen completes each unit, they’ll be given a short multiple-choice quiz. At the end of the course, they will be given a 10-question final exam. They will successfully complete the course by passing with an 70% or greater.
- What’s the difference between the Texas parent-taught drivers ed course and the Texas TDLR-approved drivers ed course?
In parent-taught drivers ed, the class is led by the parent (or another qualified adult). Your teen will complete 24 hours of online instruction and 44 hours of in-car driving lessons with the parent instructor. You could choose to do the 7 hours of observation and 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a local driving school. A parent or qualified adult would still need to do the 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice with your teen.
Our DPS/TDLR-approved instructor-led drivers ed course is offered online through our partner brand DriversEd.com. With this course, the student takes the 24
-hour course online (same as parent-taught drivers ed), then they do the 7 hours of observation and 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction with a driving instructor (instead of a parent instructor). A parent or qualified adult would still need to do the 30 hours of behind-the-wheel driving practice with the teen.
For parent-taught drivers ed, the driving instructor can be any of the following:
- Parent
- Stepparent
- Grandparent
- Step-grandparent
- Foster Parent
- Legal guardian
- A parent, legal guardian, or a judge of a court with jurisdiction over the student can designate a person to instruct the course who is at least 25 years old and have seven years of driving experience
The instructor must have held a valid Texas driver license for the past three years. If the instructor held an out-of-state drivers license, they will need to provide a copy of their driving record from the last three years. Order a copy of you Driving Record to confirm eligibility to be an instructor.
Yes – our online course is DPS/TDLR-approved and meets all of the state’s requirements needed to get your Texas learners permit.
You may work on our Texas online drivers ed course at your own pace; keep in mind, however, that the state of Texas prohibits participants from finishing the course in less than 5 calendar days.
No worries. You’re allowed to take the final as many times as you need to pass.
As soon as you complete the course, we will send you your certificate of completion via email.
There are a few things you’ll need to get your Texas learners permit.
- AGE: You must be between 15 and 18 years old to apply for your permit.
- 6-Hour Permit Qualification Certificate
- Application for Texas Driver License, DL-14a
- DE-964 Permit Certificate
- Behind the Wheel Instruction Log
- The required fee for Instruction Permit Issuance
- Proof of registration and insurance (if you own the vehicle)
- Proof of identity
- PTDE Program Receipt
- Do I receive a certificate of completion for the ITTD course?
Yes; upon completion you will be sent a certificate that must be presented at the time of your road test. It’s important to note that your certificate expires in 90 days; if you fail to take your road test within that time, you will be required to complete the course ITTD again.
At I Drive Safely, we are passionate about creating safe drivers, and it’s with your safety in mind that we teamed up with Allstate Roadside Services to provide I Drive Safely students with three months of free roadside assistance. A great deal and peace of mind? It doesn’t get much better than that.
Here’s how it works:
- Sign up for your I Drive Safely Drivers Ed or Defensive Driving course.
- During checkout, be sure to opt in to your free trial of Roadside Assistance. This will set you up with one free month of roadside assistance. Please keep in mind that this enrollment opportunity is only available during checkout – don’t miss out! After your trial ends, your card will be charged $5/month, and you can cancel at any time.
- Hit the road with peace of mind knowing you are covered with emergency roadside assistance.
What you’ll get:
- Roadside coverage available 24/7, anywhere in the United States
- Anyone in the I Drive Safely driver’s family can use it!
- Digital tools to help you get the right service fast
- Towing, fuel delivery, lockout service, and more!
- For more information about the benefits involved, check out our terms and conditions page.
Got more questions? Contact our dedicated I Drive Safely Roadside Assistance line:
Phone: 888-292-0599
Email: roadside@idrivesafely.com
Contact our dedicated I Drive Safely Roadside Assistance line:
Phone: 888-292-0599
Email: roadside@idrivesafely.com
If you need to use your Roadside Assistance Benefits, contact Allstate Roadside Services directly at 1-855-520-3691.
If you would like to cancel your Roadside Assistance, simply contact our dedicated Roadside Assistance agents.
Phone: 888-292-0599
Email: roadside@idrivesafely.com
