Texas Parent Taught Behind-the-Wheel ONLY Course
Student Info
What is the Parent Taught Behind-the-Wheel ONLY Course?
If you are under the age of 18, the TX DPS requires you to show proof of completing 32 hours of driver education coursework and a total of 14 hours of
behind-the-wheel instruction in order to get your provisional license. If you have already taken your driver education coursework only and have your learner license but still need your behind-the-wheel instruction, the Parent Taught Behind-The-Wheel ONLY Course will satisfy the required 7 hours of in-car observation and 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.
Approved by the Texas TDLR
Safe2Drive's Parent Taught Behind-the-Wheel ONLY course is approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
Benefits for Teens
- Watch fun videos and animations on driving techniques
- Enjoy practical and EASY behind-the-wheel driving exercises
- Get one step closer to your driver license
Eligibility Requirements for Teens
In order to be eligible to take the Parent Taught Behind-the-Wheel ONLY course, you must meet the followng requirements:
- You must have completed at least the first six hours of the “classroom” or theory portion of a driver education course. If you have not yet started the classroom portion of driver education, you can take our online Texas Teen Driver Education course to meet this requirement.
- You must have your learner license.
Steps for Teens
Getting Started
It takes three easy steps to get started:
- Register for our course with your parent.
- Have your parent request the Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide
from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) before you start the course. The PTDE Program Guide contains forms that you will need in order to get a learner license!
All your parent has to do is fill out the online request form and make payment. The guide costs $20. After your parent purchases the guide,
your parent will receive an email with a link to download the guide. You can check the status of your guide order online here and even download the guide there if you have been approved!
- Start the course.
Course Procedures
There are a few steps you must take in order to complete the Parent Taught Behind-the-Wheel ONLY course:
1. Register for the Course
You must register for the course on our website. It's easy and only takes a couple minutes!
2. Request and Obtain the PTDE Program Guide.
You and your parent must request and obtain the PTDE Program Guide by filling out the online form before starting the course.
IMPORTANT: As per TDLR rules, if you begin the course without the PTDE Program Guide, none of that instruction time will count toward your requirement, and you will have to start the course over. Don't waste your time! Please only start the course if you have your PTDE Program Guide.
3. Start and Complete the Course
Our Parent Taught Behind-the-Wheel ONLY course includes a step-by-step guide for completing the required 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and the 7 hours of in-car observation that make up the required 14 hours of behind-the-wheel training. During the 7 hours of in-car observation, you must sit in the passenger seat and observe your parent instructor as he or she models proper driving behavior in the driver's seat.
During the 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, you will sit in the driver’s seat as your parent instructor gives directions from the passenger seat.
You can print out a handy PDF version of the course to take with you in the car, or you can view the course online. The online version of the course is the same as the PDF version, but it includes additional videos, animations and slide shows to help teach the material.
Your parent should fill out the Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Log (DL-91B), which is included in the course, as you complete your training. The Form DL-91B is required when applying for your driver license.
You can only count 4 hours per day of behind-the-wheel training, with no more than 2 hours per day of behind-the-wheel instruction. So, the course cannot be completed any faster than 4 days.
4. Request the Certificate
You may request your certificate when you complete the course. Your certificate will be emailed to you and your parent immediately once you request it.
IMPORTANT: Students can only count 4 hours per day of behind-the-wheel training, with no more than 2 hours per day of behind-the-wheel instruction. This means you will not be able to request a certificate sooner than 4 days after registering.
5. Complete 30 Hours of Behind-the-Wheel Practice
After you have completed our Parent Taught Behind-the-Wheel course, you must complete an additional 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice. At least 10 hours of this practice time must be done at night. These 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice must be completed in the presence of an adult who is at least 21 years of age and who has had his or her driver license for at least a year. This practice time must be certified by your parent/guardian. The state of Texas provides a handy guide for these behind-the-wheel practice sessions for you to use.
The supervising adult should complete the Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Log (DL-91B) as practice is completed, and your parent/guardian should certify the practice time on the log. The Form DL-91B is required when applying for the driver license.
Please keep in mind that only one hour per day can be counted towards this behind-the-wheel practice, so you cannot complete it any faster than 30 days.
6. Complete the Free ITTD Course
The ITTD program is a FREE 2-hour informational video developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety as an additional safety measure for new drivers. All Texas teens who are taking a teen driver education course must complete the ITTD program after they have received a Certificate of Completion (DE-964) from their driver education provider. Students must complete the ITTD program before they may take their driving exam.
The ITTD program is available on the Department of Public Safety's Impact Texas Teen Drivers website.
Note: Your ITTD Certificate of Completion is only valid for 90 days. If you do not pass the driving skills exam within 90 days of the date on the ITTD certificate, you must restart the ITTD program and take the driving skills exam again.
7. Get Your Driver License!
Once you complete the steps above, are at least 16 years old, have resided in Texas for at least 30 days prior to applying for your driver license, and have held your learner license for 6 months, you can gather the required documents and head to the DPS to take the driving exam.
When you pass the driving exam, you will be issued a driver license.
Don't worry, we will guide you through all of these steps as you progress through the course.