National Highway Safety Administration Online Drivers Ed and Driving Safety
This information applies to the following TEXAS course:
How does the whole process work?
Starting a parent-taught drivers ed program can be intimidating, but don’t worry, if you follow each step carefully, you’ll be able to get your child’s learner permit and driver’s license without any difficulties. You will need to purchase two items:
- The Request for Parent Taught Driver Education Instructor Designation Service Application.
This document is available only from TDLR directly. It comes with the Parent-Taught Program Guide, which contains detailed instructions as well as checklists to make sure you have all the forms required to get a permit and license. You can click here to order this document. - The 32-hour Parent-Taught Online Course
This is the online curriculum that the student will need to complete. The price includes the Permit Test, the DE-964 certificates for learner permit and driver’s license, and driving logs for the in-car portion of your student's training. You can click here to order the course.
The actual process of completing a Parent-Taught program can be broken down into three main phases:
- Verify that the parent is eligible to be the instructor.
It is important to make sure that you, as the parent, meet all of TLDR’s requirements to teach your child to drive. Click here to read more about this and see all the requirements.
Then, when you are sure that you meet the requirements, you can order the Parent-Taught Program Guide. - Start the online course and obtain the learner license.
After finishing the first 6 hours (the first module) of the online course, your child will be able to take the DPS Permit Test and apply for their learner permit at your local DPS office. - Finish the online course and behind-the-wheel training to get the drivers license.
The Parent-Taught Program Guide that you ordered from TDLR includes checklists for what you need to bring to the DPS office. The Parent-Taught Online Course includes the 14-hour and 30-hour driving logs, as well as instructions on how to complete the behind-the-wheel training.
For more information, including the roles & responsibilities of each participant in the program, please click here to see TDLR’s official information page.
How quickly can this program be completed?
To obtain a learner license, it will take a minimum of 3 days. This is because, according to TDLR rules, a student shouldn’t spend more than 2 hours per day on their Parent-Taught coursework, and 6 hours must be completed before the Permit Test is taken.
To obtain a driver’s license, it will take a minimum of 6 months. This is because Texas requires teens to hold a learner permit for a minimum of 6 months before they can apply for their driver’s license.
Where can I find the affidavits and classroom logs?
The affidavits, also known as the DL-90A and DL90-B are no longer required by TDLR. If your child is being turned away because of this issue, please email TPSTprogram@dps.texas.gov with the full name of your child and the DPS location.
There is also no need to provide a classroom log. The DE-964 certificate serves as proof that the student has completed their driver’s education. If you are applying for a driver’s license, make sure that the certificate has the text “for driver license only” at the top. If it says “for learner license only,” you may not have completed your entire course yet.
However, please note that the 14-hour log (Instruction & Observation) and the 30-hour log (Driving Practice) will be required. These logs are provided in our online course, as well as detailed instructions on how to fill them out.