Are You Eligible for Texas Parent Taught Drivers Ed

Parent-taught drivers ed (PTDE)Parent Taught Drivers Ed Guide Blog lets Texas teens learn from a parent instead of paying for a driving school. It is one of the best deals in the state, but only if you and your parent both qualify first. Here is the quick version, then the full breakdown.

Quick Answer

• Student: Must be 14 to 17, living in Texas, and enrolled in school (or a GED program) with satisfactory attendance.
• Instructor: Must be a parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent, legal guardian, or someone designated by one of them.
• Instructor record: Valid Texas drivers license for 3+ years, no DUI in the past 7 years, no criminally negligent homicide conviction, no license suspension in the past 3 years, and fewer than 6 points.
• Designated instructors (non-parent): Must be at least 25 with 7+ years of driving experience, and cannot charge a fee.

What Is Parent-Taught Drivers Ed?

Texas law allows drivers under 18 to learn from a parent instead of going through a driving school. The program breaks down into three phases:

• Classroom Instruction: 24 hours covering Texas traffic laws and safety
• Behind-the-Wheel Instruction: 7 hours of in-car observation plus 7 hours of driving instruction
• Supervised Driving Practice: 30 additional hours of supervised driving

Parents can teach every phase themselves or mix in a professional instructor for part of it. Either way, confirm eligibility before you start. TDLR paperwork and course fees are non-refundable, so it pays to check the boxes first.

Student Requirements for Parent-Taught Drivers Ed

Texas parent-taught drivers ed is built for students who live in the state and are ages 14 to 17. If you have not yet earned a high school diploma or GED, you will need to meet one of these:

• School Enrollment: Enrolled in school for the past 80 days. Public, private, and homeschool all count.
• GED Enrollment: If not enrolled in school, enrolled in a high school equivalency program for 45 days.
• Satisfactory Progress: Meeting attendance and academic requirements, regardless of which path applies to you.

To prove enrollment, a school official needs to complete the Verification of Enrollment and Attendance formTexas Voe Verification Of Enrollment Dmv. If school is out for summer, a recent report card showing your attendance record works instead.

Instructor Requirements for Parent-Taught Drivers Ed

Despite the name, your instructor does not have to be your mom or dad. Eligible instructors include:

• Parents
• Step-parents
• Grandparents
• Step-grandparents
• Foster parents
• Legal guardians
• Another adult designated by your parent, legal guardian, or a judge

If your parent or guardian designates someone else to teach you, that person needs to be over 25 with at least 7 years of driving experience. They also cannot charge you for teaching you.

Once you have picked an eligible instructor, they need to clear these requirements:

• A valid Texas drivers license held for the past three years
• No DUIsCost Of A Dui Safe Driving in the past seven years
• No record of criminally negligent homicide
• No license suspension, revocation, or forfeiture in the past three years
• Fewer than six pointsWhat Point Drivers License Blog on their drivers license

Not eligible for PTDE? Aceable's Instructor Taught course is a solid alternative. Compare your options here.Instructor Taught Versus Parent Taught Drivers Ed Blog

To apply to teach, complete the Parent-Taught Driver Education Instructor Designation Service Request formPTSelect.aspx ParentTaught online and pay the required fee. TDLR will issue an instructor number to use on your teen's learner permit and drivers license applications.

Common Questions About PTDE Eligibility

Can a grandparent teach parent-taught drivers ed in Texas?

Yes. Grandparents and step-grandparents are eligible instructors under Texas law, as long as they meet the standard instructor requirements: a valid Texas drivers license held for three years, no DUI in the past seven years, and fewer than six points.

What disqualifies a parent from teaching PTDE in Texas?

A DUI conviction in the past seven years, a criminally negligent homicide conviction, a license suspension or revocation in the past three years, or six or more points on their license will disqualify a parent from serving as the instructor.

Can I do parent-taught drivers ed if I am homeschooled?

Yes. Homeschooling counts toward the 80-day school enrollment requirement, the same as public or private school.

Is there an age limit for the student in Texas PTDE?

Students must be between 14 and 17 to enroll in parent-taught drivers ed.

Getting Started with PTDE

Most parents feel ready to supervise behind the wheel but less ready to teach the classroom side. Knowing how to drive and knowing how to explain Texas traffic law in full detail are two different skills.

Aceable's online PTDE course puts everything on your phone or laptop, so you and your teen show up to practice time already knowing what's required. Start leveling up with Aceable's Texas PTDE courseTexas Parent Taught Drivers Ed and knock out the classroom hours on your own schedule.

Updated 9/8/2026