What Is Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Training
Behind-the-wheel (BTW) training is the hands-on, in-car portion of the Texas Parent Taught Driver Education program. While the Driving Logic course covers the 24-hour classroom requirement online, BTW training is where the teen actually gets behind the wheel and learns to drive — supervised by the parent instructor and other qualifying adults.
Why BTW Training Is Required
Completing an online driver education course alone is not enough to qualify for a Texas Provisional License. Texas law requires both classroom instruction and supervised driving practice. The classroom course provides the knowledge; BTW training builds the skills.
The Two Components of BTW Training
Formal instruction and observation (14 hours) The designated PTDE instructor — typically a parent, grandparent, foster parent, or formally designated adult — directly supervises the teen for 14 hours: 7 hours of in-car observation and 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction. This is the structured teaching portion, limited to 2 hours of instruction per day.
Supervised practice (30 hours) The teen logs an additional 30 hours of supervised driving with any licensed adult who is at least 21 years old and has held their license for at least 1 year. This does not have to be the designated PTDE instructor — another parent, a grandparent, or another qualifying adult can supervise these hours. At least 10 of the 30 hours must be completed at night.
When BTW Training Can Begin
BTW training cannot begin until the teen has the Learner's Permit in hand. The permit is issued at the DPS after the teen completes Module 1, passes the DPS exam, and visits the DPS office. Hours driven before the permit is issued do not count.
How BTW Hours Are Documented
The PTDE Program Guide from TDLR includes driving log templates. The family keeps the log as a record of all sessions. The driving log is not required to be submitted to DPS — it is a family record kept throughout the program.
Quick Facts
Detail | Value |
Total BTW hours required | 44 |
Formal instruction + observation | 14 hours (with designated PTDE instructor) |
Additional supervised practice | 30 hours (with any qualifying adult 21+) |
Night driving required | 10 of the 30 practice hours |
Daily instruction cap | 2 hours of instruction per day |
BTW can begin | Only after Learner's Permit is issued |
Log required to submit to DPS | No — keep as family record |
Driving Logic provides BTW | No — family handles this entirely |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BTW training included in the Driving Logic course? No. The Driving Logic course covers the online classroom portion only. BTW training is conducted by the family using the guidance in the PTDE Program Guide from TDLR.
Can the parent instructor and the practice supervisor be different people? Yes. The 7 hours of formal instruction and 7 hours of observation must be supervised by the designated PTDE instructor. The 30 hours of practice can be supervised by any licensed adult 21 or older with at least 1 year of driving experience — this can be the same instructor or different adults.
How long does BTW training take in practice? With a 2-hour daily cap on formal instruction, the 14 hours of instruction and observation take at least 7 days. The 30 hours of practice at 2 hours per day take at least 15 days. Most families spread BTW training over several months while also completing the classroom modules.
Does BTW training happen before or after finishing all 12 modules? Most families use the concurrent method — getting the Learner's Permit after Module 1, then doing BTW training while completing Modules 2–12 in parallel. Both can happen at the same time.
What if the parent instructor becomes ineligible during the program? DPS verifies instructor eligibility at both the Learner's Permit and Provisional License stages. If the instructor is found ineligible, prior BTW hours may not count. Contact TDLR immediately if the instructor's situation changes.