Who Can Be the Parent Instructor
The Texas PTDE program requires that a parent or another eligible adult serve as the designated instructor for the behind-the-wheel portion of driver education. Both the relationship to the teen and the instructor's driving record must meet TDLR requirements.
Who Can Serve as Instructor — No Designation Form Required
The following individuals can serve as the instructor without any additional paperwork:
Parent or stepparent
Grandparent or step-grandparent
Foster parent
Court-appointed legal guardian
Designated Adults — Designation Form Required
A parent, legal guardian, or judge with jurisdiction over the teen may designate another adult to serve as the instructor. That designated adult must meet these additional requirements:
Requirement | Value |
Minimum age | 25 years old |
Driving experience | At least 7 years |
Charges a fee | No — must not charge for instruction |
Designation form | Required — included in the PTDE Packet |
A power of attorney is not sufficient. The formal TDLR designation form from the PTDE Packet must be completed by the parent or legal guardian, not by the designated adult themselves.
All Instructors Must Meet These Requirements
Regardless of their relationship to the teen, all instructors — including parents — must meet the following:
Requirement | Standard |
Valid Texas driver's license | Currently valid |
License held for | At least the past 3 years |
Points on license | Fewer than 6 |
DWI conviction | None in the past 7 years |
License suspended or revoked | Not in the past 3 years |
How to Check Your Record
Before ordering the PTDE Packet, the instructor should verify their record at txdps.state.tx.us. The Texas DPS will check the instructor's record when the teen applies for the Learner's Permit and again when the teen applies for the Provisional License.
What Happens If the Instructor Is Found Ineligible
If DPS determines at either stage that the instructor does not meet TDLR requirements, the license application will be denied. Any classroom hours and behind-the-wheel training provided by an ineligible instructor may not count, and the process may need to restart with a new eligible instructor. Verifying eligibility before starting avoids this outcome entirely.
Out-of-State Instructors
An instructor who holds an out-of-state driver's license must first obtain a valid Texas driver's license before serving as the PTDE instructor. Out-of-state driving history can count toward the 3-year experience requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can both parents share the instructor role? Only one instructor is registered with TDLR per student. Both parents can certainly be involved in the teen's driving practice, but only one can serve as the formally designated PTDE instructor for the 14 hours of required instruction. The other parent can supervise the additional 30 hours of practice driving, which only requires being a licensed adult aged 21 or older.
Can a licensed driving instructor from a commercial school serve as the PTDE instructor? The PTDE program is for parents and eligible family members or designated adults. A commercial driving instructor cannot serve as the PTDE instructor unless they meet the family relationship or designation requirements. If professional instruction is desired, the instructor-led Teen Driver Education course may be more appropriate.
What if the designated instructor moves out of Texas after the course begins? Contact TDLR for guidance. The instructor must hold a valid Texas license throughout the program.
My parent has exactly 6 points on their license — are they eligible? No. The requirement is fewer than 6 points. Exactly 6 points means the instructor does not meet the eligibility standard.
Can a judge designate an instructor? Yes. A judge with jurisdiction over the teen can designate an instructor using the same TDLR process as a parent or legal guardian.