Parent-taught driver education
Approved courses bought from course vendors
Overseen by Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division
- Who can take it
The student must be attending a public school or an accredited nonpublic school, or be receiving homeschool education under chapter 299A.
What the source says
“Currently attending public school, accredited nonpublic school or receiving homeschool education under chapter 299A.”
Parent-Taught Driver's Education - Iowa Department of Transportation, read October 7, 2026
Iowa's legislature created parent-taught driver education for parents who wish to teach driver education to their own children.
What the source says
“Parent-taught driver education was created and authorized by the Iowa legislature for parents that wish to teach driver education to their own children.”
Parent-Taught Driver's Education - Iowa Department of Transportation, read October 7, 2026
- Course length
The student completes one of the approved courses and 30 hours of street or highway driving, including 3 hours of night driving.
What the source says
“The student will need to complete one of the approved courses listed below and 30 hours of street or highway driving, including 3 hours dedicated to night driving.”
Parent-Taught Driver's Education - Iowa Department of Transportation, read October 7, 2026
- Taking it online
In the parent-taught rule, classroom instruction means instruction by a teaching parent in a private setting using printed or electronic course materials.
What the source says
“means instruction provided by a teaching parent in a private setting using printed or electronic course materials”
Iowa Administrative Code, Appendix to Rule 761-634.7, read October 7, 2026
- Who approves it
The Iowa DOT publishes the course providers it has pre-approved, and families buy the course material directly from the provider.
What the source says
“The following course providers have been pre-approved by the Iowa DOT. You will be required to purchase the course material directly from the course provider.”
Parent-Taught Driver's Education - Iowa Department of Transportation, read October 7, 2026
- Good to know
The course may follow any format the vendor determines, provided the required topics are properly and adequately covered.
What the source says
“The course may follow any format the vendor determines, provided all of the following topics are properly and adequately covered”
Iowa Administrative Code, Appendix to Rule 761-634.7, read October 7, 2026