Texas Parent Taught Driver Education (PTDE)

Parent Taught Driver Education (PTDE) gives eligible Texas families the option to complete a teen's driver education through a TDLR-approved program — with a qualified parent, step-parent, grandparent, foster parent, or legal guardian providing the required driving instruction. This guide covers everything you need to know about starting and completing the Texas PTDE program from beginning to end.

Enroll in A Auto Driving School's Parent Taught Course for just $59!

Enroll in Parent Taught Course — $59 →

In This Guide

Quick Answer — What Is PTDE? Who Can Take the Program? How the Process Works — Step by Step What Is the DE-964 Certificate? What Is the ITTD Program? How Much Does PTDE Cost? Common Mistakes to Avoid Why Choose A Auto Driving School? Frequently Asked Questions Official Sources

Quick Answer — What Is Texas Parent Taught Driver Education?

Texas Parent Taught Driver Education (PTDE) is a state-approved driver education option that allows an eligible family member to teach a teen to drive under the Texas TDLR-approved parent-taught process.

Question	Answer
What does PTDE stand for?	Parent Taught Driver Education
Who can start classroom instruction?	Teens may begin at age 14
When can a teen get a Learner License?	At age 15, after meeting requirements
Who teaches the driving portion?	An eligible parent or authorized instructor
PTDE Guide fee	$20, non-refundable
Classroom hours	32 hours total
Behind-the-wheel requirement	44 hours total
Certificate issued	DE-964 (instant upon completion)
Course price at A Auto	$59 — no hidden fees

Who Can Take the Texas Parent Taught Driver Education Program?

Teen Requirements

✅ Ages 14–17
✅ Lives in Texas
✅ Has parental approval
✅ Making satisfactory academic progress

Parent Instructor Requirements

✅ Holds a valid Texas driver's license
✅ Has an excellent driving record
✅ Has no disqualifying criminal offenses
✅ Is the teen's parent, step-parent, grandparent, foster parent, or legal guardian

⚠️ Important: An alternate instructor can be designated but must meet the same requirements and cannot charge a fee. DPS verifies the instructor's driving record twice during the program — if disqualified at any point, all completed hours may be invalidated. Check your driving record before starting.

→ Read our complete guide: Who Can Be a Parent Taught Instructor in Texas?

How the Texas PTDE Process Works — Step by Step

Step 1: Order the PTDE Program Guide from TDLR

Before starting, the parent instructor must order the official PTDE Program Guide from TDLR. The guide costs $20 (non-refundable) and must be received before beginning instruction. Applications are online only — paper applications are not accepted.

Step 2: Choose a TDLR-Approved Course Provider

Select an approved online PTDE course provider. A Auto Driving School offers a 100% online Texas PTDE course — TDLR approved (License No. C3630), available in English (Teen Driver Ed) and Spanish (Educación Vial para Adolescentes), with instant DE-964 certificate upon completion.

✅ Enroll in A Auto Driving School's Parent Taught Course — $59 →

Step 3: Choose Concurrent or Block Method

Texas PTDE offers two classroom methods —

Concurrent Method: Complete first 6 classroom hours → get Learner License → finish remaining hours while doing behind-the-wheel training.

Block Method: Complete all 32 classroom hours first → then get Learner License → begin behind-the-wheel training.

Method	Classroom Before Learner License
Concurrent	First 6 hours
Block	All 32 hours

Step 4: Complete 32 Hours of Online Classroom Instruction

The classroom portion covers Texas traffic laws, road signs, defensive driving, distracted driving, alcohol and drug awareness, and all other required topics. Maximum 6 hours of instruction per day allowed.

→ Read our complete guide: Texas Parent Taught Classroom Requirements

Step 5: Receive DE-964 Certificate and Get Learner's Permit

After completing the required classroom hours, your teen receives the DE-964 certificate — required to apply for a Texas learner's permit at DPS. Your teen must be at least 15 years old to apply.

⚠️ Your teen must have a learner's permit before beginning any behind-the-wheel training.

Step 6: Complete 44 Hours of Behind-the-Wheel Training

After receiving the learner's permit, behind-the-wheel training begins —

✅ 7 hours in-car observation
✅ 7 hours behind-the-wheel instruction
✅ 30 hours additional supervised driving practice
✅ At least 10 hours must be at night
✅ Minimum 44 calendar days required
✅ Maximum 1 hour in-car instruction per day

→ Read our complete guide: Texas Parent Taught Behind the Wheel Requirements

Step 7: Complete the ITTD Program

The Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) program is a free 2-hour video about distracted driving — separate from the PTDE course. Must be completed after behind-the-wheel requirements and before the driving skills test. The certificate is valid for 90 days.

→ Read our complete guide: What is the ITTD Program?

Step 8: Take the Driving Skills Test

After completing all requirements and ITTD, your teen takes the DPS driving skills test. The ITTD certificate must be presented and must be within the 90-day validity period.

Step 9: Receive Texas Provisional Driver's License

After passing the skills test, your teen receives a Texas Provisional Driver's License with restrictions —

🚫 No more than 1 passenger under 21 who is not a family member
🌙 No driving midnight to 5:00 AM (except work, school, emergency)
📵 No cell phone use including hands-free devices

The provisional license expires on the teen's 18th birthday.

→ Read our complete guide: Texas Teen Provisional License — Rules and Restrictions

What Is the DE-964 Certificate?

The DE-964 is the official Texas Driver Education Certificate of Completion issued after completing the PTDE classroom requirements. It is required to apply for a learner's permit and later for a provisional driver's license.

⚠️ The DE-964 is NOT the same as the ITTD certificate — they are two separate documents for two separate requirements.

At A Auto Driving School, your teen receives the DE-964 certificate instantly as a PDF download upon completing the required course modules — no waiting, no mailing required.

What Is the ITTD Program?

The Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) program is a separate Texas DPS program about distracted driving awareness. For teen drivers ages 15–17 who completed an approved PTDE course, ITTD must be completed after behind-the-wheel requirements and before the skills examination.

✅ Free — no cost
✅ Approximately 2 hours
✅ Completed online at dps.texas.gov
✅ Certificate valid for 90 days

→ Read our complete guide: What is the ITTD Program and When Does Your Teen Need It?

How Much Does Texas Parent Taught Driver Education Cost?

Total estimated cost for completing the Texas PTDE program —

Item	Cost
TDLR PTDE Guide	$20 (non-refundable)
A Auto Online Course	$59 (instant DE-964 included)
DPS Learner Permit	$16
DPS Driving Skills Test	$11
Texas Provisional License	$33
ITTD Program	Free
Total Estimated Cost	~$139

Compare this to traditional in-person driving schools in Texas which can cost $300–$600 or more. A Auto Driving School's online PTDE course at $59 is one of the most affordable TDLR-approved options available.

→ See full price breakdown: How Much Does Drivers Ed Cost in Texas?

Common Mistakes to Avoid With Texas PTDE

❌ Starting before ordering the PTDE Guide
❌ Confusing PTDE and ITTD — they are separate requirements
❌ Confusing classroom hours with driving hours
❌ Waiting too long to complete ITTD — certificate expires in 90 days
❌ Forgetting the 6-month Learner License requirement before provisional license
❌ Assuming every family member qualifies as instructor — check eligibility first

Why Choose A Auto Driving School for Texas PTDE?

✅ TDLR approved — License No. C3630
✅ 100% online — complete from any device
✅ Available in English and Spanish
✅ Instant DE-964 certificate upon completion
✅ $59 flat price — no hidden fees
✅ Serves all of Texas — Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, and beyond

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Parent-Taught Driver Education

What does PTDE stand for in Texas?

PTDE stands for Parent Taught Driver Education — a Texas state-approved program allowing eligible parents or authorized instructors to teach teens to drive using a TDLR-approved online curriculum.

How old does my teen need to be to start PTDE?

Teens can begin the classroom portion at age 14. However, the minimum age for a Texas Learner License is 15 — so behind-the-wheel training cannot begin before age 15.

How much does the PTDE Program Guide cost?

The TDLR PTDE Program Guide costs $20 and is non-refundable. A separate application must be submitted for each child you will be teaching.

What is the difference between Concurrent and Block method?

Concurrent: Complete the first 6 classroom hours → get a Learner License → finish the remaining hours while doing driving practice. Block: Complete all 32 classroom hours first → then get a Learner License → begin driving practice.

How many hours of behind-the-wheel training are required?

44 hours total — 7 hours in-car observation, 7 hours behind-the-wheel instruction, and 30 hours of additional supervised driving practice, including at least 10 hours at night. Minimum 44 calendar days required.

Is ITTD included in the PTDE course?

No — ITTD is a completely separate Texas DPS program. Completing the PTDE course does not replace the ITTD requirement. Your teen must complete ITTD after behind-the-wheel training and before the driving skills test.

How long is the ITTD certificate valid?

90 days from completion. If you don't take the driving skills test within 90 days, you must complete the ITTD program again.

Can someone other than a parent teach the teen?

Yes — a step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent, or legal guardian can serve as instructor. An alternate instructor can also be designated but must meet all the same eligibility requirements and cannot charge a fee.

Can we do the PTDE course online?

Yes — the classroom portion of the PTDE course can be completed 100% online through a TDLR-approved provider like A Auto Driving School. The behind-the-wheel training must be done in person with the parent instructor.

What is the 6-month rule?

A teen must hold the Texas Learner License for at least 6 months before applying for a Provisional Driver's License.

Ready to Start Texas Parent Taught Driver Education?

A Auto Driving School offers a 100% online, TDLR-approved Texas Parent Taught Driver Education course — complete the classroom portion from any device in English or Spanish, receive your instant DE-964 certificate, and follow the PTDE process with confidence.

✅ TDLR Approved — License No. C3630
✅ $59 flat price — no hidden fees
✅ Instant DE-964 certificate
✅ English and Spanish available
✅ Serving all of Texas