Driver education (minor and adult driver education course: 24 hours of classroom instruction and 44 hours in the car), including parent-taught driver education
Overseen by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Driver Education and Safety program
- Who can take it
Everyone under 25 years old must take a driver education course to get a Texas driver's license.
What the source says
“All persons under 25 years old must take a driver education course to get a Texas driver’s license.”
TDLR: Do I Need to Take Driver Education in Texas?, read October 7, 2026
- Age
A teenager can start the classroom part of driver education at 14 but must be at least 15 to apply for a learner license.
What the source says
“A teenager can start the classroom portion of a driver education course when they are 14 years old, but must wait until they are at least 15 before they can apply for a learner license.”
TDLR: Do I Need to Take Driver Education in Texas?, read October 7, 2026
- Course length
A driver under 18 takes the full driver education course, which is 24 hours of classroom instruction and 44 hours of in-car driving.
What the source says
“Because you’re under 18 years old, you will need to take the full driver-education course, which consists of 24 hours of classroom instruction and 44 hours of in-car driving with an instructor.”
TDLR: Do I Need to Take Driver Education in Texas?, read October 7, 2026
The parent-taught course is 24 hours of classroom instruction, 7 hours of observation, 7 hours of behind-the-wheel training and 30 more hours of behind-the-wheel training.
What the source says
“The course consists of 24 hours of classroom instruction, 7 hours of observation, 7 hours of behind-the-wheel training, and 30 additional hours of behind-the-wheel training.”
TDLR: Getting Started with Parent-Taught Driver Education, read October 7, 2026
- Taking it online
Texas law recognizes online driver education providers, which are businesses that teach driver education courses to students over the internet.
What the source says
“(14-b) "Online driver education provider" means a business that provides driver education courses to students remotely through the Internet.”
Texas Education Code, Chapter 1001, Driver and Traffic Safety Education, Sec. 1001.001, read October 7, 2026
An online teen classroom course must contain enough material to take a student at least 24 hours (1,440 minutes) to complete.
What the source says
“The AMI shall present sufficient instructional content so that it would take a student a minimum of 24 hours (1,440 minutes) to complete the course.”
16 Texas Administrative Code §84.501, Driver Education Course Alternative Method of Instruction, read October 7, 2026
- Who approves it
TDLR's summary of the driver education provider license lists a registered agent as a requirement if the business is located outside Texas.
What the source says
“Registered Agent – If business is located outside of Texas”
TDLR: Driver Education & Safety At a Glance (December 2025), read October 7, 2026
- Good to know
For parent-taught driver education, the family buys the curriculum from a licensed driver education provider that holds the parent-taught endorsement.
What the source says
“You’ll need to purchase the curriculum from a licensed driver education provider with the parent-taught endorsement.”
TDLR: Getting Started with Parent-Taught Driver Education, read October 7, 2026
An Impact Texas Driver certificate must be presented before the driving skills test is given.
What the source says
“The Impact Texas Driver certificate must be presented before the administration of the driving skills test.”
Texas Department of Public Safety: Impact Texas Drivers (ITD) Program, read October 7, 2026