Who Is Eligible to Take the Texas Parent Taught Driver Education Course
The Texas Parent Taught Driver Education (PTDE) course has eligibility requirements for both the teen taking the course and the adult serving as the instructor.
Teen Eligibility
The teen must be between 14 and 17 years old to take the PTDE course. Age 14 is the minimum to begin the classroom instruction. The teen must be at least 15 to apply for the Learner's Permit after completing Module 1.
If the teen turns 18 before completing the program, let us know. Depending on where they are in the process, they may need to transition to the Adult Driver Education course.
Instructor Eligibility
All instructors must meet these requirements, regardless of their relationship to the teen:
Requirement | Value |
Valid Texas driver's license | Yes — 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 |
Who Can Serve as Instructor Without a Designation Form
The following individuals can serve as the instructor without completing an additional designation form:
Parent or stepparent
Grandparent or step-grandparent
Foster parent
Court-appointed legal guardian
Designated Adults (Non-Family Instructors)
A parent, legal guardian, or a judge with jurisdiction over the teen may designate another adult to serve as the instructor. That designated adult must:
Be at least 25 years old
Have at least 7 years of driving experience
Not charge a fee for providing the instruction
Meet all standard instructor eligibility requirements above
The designation is made using the form included in the PTDE Packet. A power of attorney is not sufficient — the TDLR form is required.
Out-of-State Instructors
If the instructor holds an out-of-state license, they must 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.
How DPS Verifies Eligibility
The Texas DPS verifies the instructor's driving record at two points: when the teen applies for the Learner's Permit, and again when the teen applies for the Provisional License. If the instructor is found ineligible at either stage, the DPS will deny the application. Any classroom hours or behind-the-wheel training provided by an ineligible instructor may not count toward the requirement, and the process may need to restart.
To verify eligibility before starting, the instructor can request a copy of their driving record at txdps.state.tx.us.
This Course Is Not For
Adults 18 or older applying for their first Texas license — they need the Adult Driver Education course
Licensed drivers seeking to dismiss a traffic ticket — that requires the Driving Safety Course
Teens whose parent or eligible adult is not available to serve as instructor — they would need the instructor-led (AMI) Teen Driver Education course
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a family friend or neighbor be the designated instructor? Yes, if a parent or legal guardian formally designates them using the TDLR designation form in the PTDE Packet, and that person meets all eligibility requirements — including being at least 25 years old with at least 7 years of driving experience.
What if the parent has points on their license? If the instructor has 6 or more points on their Texas license, they are not eligible to serve as the PTDE instructor. The family would need to identify another eligible adult, or the teen would need to use the instructor-led course instead.
Can a grandparent in another state serve as the instructor? No. The instructor must hold a valid Texas driver's license. Out-of-state licenses are not sufficient. The grandparent would need to obtain a Texas license first.
What if the instructor's record changes after the course begins? If the instructor becomes ineligible during the course — for example, after a DWI conviction — DPS may deny the license application. It is the instructor's responsibility to ensure continued eligibility throughout the program.
Can two parents share the instructor role? Only one instructor can be designated with TDLR per student. However, the additional 30 hours of supervised practice (not the formal instruction hours) can be conducted by any licensed adult who is at least 21 years old with at least 1 year of driving experience.