Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Education Course Online

Texas teens ages 14 to 17 are required to take a TDLR-approved drivers education course to meet state requirements for their learner's permit. You can start the drivers ed course at 14 years old, but you must be at least 15 to continue past the first module and earn your permit.

Following completion of the first module, you will take the Highway Sign and Traffic Law exam. The online exam is included with your course. You may also choose to take the exam in person at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office.

You will need to pass the exam and earn your learner's permit before you begin the behind-the-wheel portion of your training. Parents teaching the online drivers ed course must record the time spent on in-car observations and behind-the-wheel practice in the instructor logs provided.

If you are a new driver between the ages of 18 and 25, you should take the Texas Adult Drivers Education course.

The Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Ed course contains 32 hours of instruction and 44 hours of behind-the-wheel training and driving observation led by your parent. This program is ideal for teens who want to learn how to drive with the help of a parent, guardian or another approved instructor.

Before you start the course, you must visit the TDLR website to request your PTDE Guide, which includes everything your parent or guardian needs to know to help you complete the course and earn your permit. The TDLR charges $20 for the guide, which you can receive by email or standard mail. You can begin your training after you receive your guide from the TDLR.

As soon as you complete the first module of the course, you can take the Highway Sign and Traffic Law exam. You can take the online exam that's included with the course or visit a DPS location to take the test in person. You must pass this exam to get your Texas learner's permit.

Once you pass the exam, you will receive a DE-964E form by email. You must bring this certificate to the DPS when you apply for your learner's permit. After you obtain your learner's permit, you can continue the drivers ed course and start your driving practice.

After you complete the rest of the drivers ed course, you will receive a digital certificate of completion. Next, your parent must fill out the "For Driver License Only" portion of the DE-964 form. Since this is a parent-taught course, your parent or guardian is considered the driving instructor.

You can apply for your Texas driver license six months after earning your permit. When it's time to apply for your license, you will need to bring the following documents to the DPS:

• DE-964E Certificate for Driver License Only
• Parent-Taught Drivers Ed certificate of completion
• All completed forms from your PTDE Program Guide

The DPS also requires you to provide proof of vehicle registration and several other required documents.

The purpose of Texas Parent-Taught Drivers Ed is to teach teens about traffic laws, defensive driving habits and other vital information for new drivers. This parent-led course alternates between classroom material and behind-the-wheel training.

Course topics include:

Each module contains a timer. You may not advance to the next module until you have met the minimum time requirement for the current module.

Each of the 12 modules in the course ends with a brief, five-question quiz. You must score at least 70% on each quiz, and you have an unlimited number of attempts to pass. The course concludes with a 20-question final exam. You must earn at least 70% on the exam, and you have an unlimited number of attempts to pass.

After you complete Module 1 of the course, you will take the Highway Signs and Traffic Laws exam. The exam is split into two parts, each containing 15 questions. You have up to 30 minutes to score at least 70% on each part to pass. If you fail either section of the exam, you must wait 24 hours before trying again. If you do not pass the exam after three attempts, you will need to re-purchase the exam before you can try again.