How to Fill Out the Parent Taught Drivers Ed Packet

Thinking about taking Texas Parent Taught Driver's Ed (PTDE)? This can be a great option for getting the required behind-the-wheel training without going to a formal driving school. To get started, you'll need to enroll in a state-approved PTDE course, select your instructor, and complete the Parent Taught Driver's Ed Packet.

While the process of completing PTDE is pretty straightforward, it's common to have a few questions. Here are the key things you need to know.

What Is the Parent Taught Drivers Ed (PTDE) Program Guide Packet?

The Parent Taught Drivers Ed (PTDE) Program Guide Packet contains forms to complete and submit to the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR). The forms provide notification to the TDLR that you plan to take PTDE. TDLR charges a $20 fee for the packet.

Once you've paid the $20 fee and submitted your application, you'll receive a link to download the PTDE Program Guide. If you prefer, you can ask the TDLR to mail you a hard copy.

You will not be able to get your Texas learner's permit or driver's license without the packet. The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) will also ask to see your PTDE Packet receipt, so do not skip this step.

What Does the PTDE Packet Contain?

Inside the packet, you'll find three forms:

DL-90A Classroom Instruction Affidavit: Your parent instructor will complete this form. Check the box next to the “6 hours of instruction” option for Concurrent Driver’s Ed. Pro tip: Aceable’s course number is 116.
DL-91A Classroom Instruction Log: You only need to fill out the first module if you’re going to the DPS to apply for your permit. Since you shouldn’t take more than two hours of driver’s ed per day, there should be a minimum of three dates listed for Module 1.
DL-14A Application for Texas Driver License: Fill in your personal information and indicate that you’re applying for a Class C Learner License.

IMPORTANT: You and your parent should wait to sign all forms until you get to the DPS. These signatures must take place in front of a DPS employee.

How Do I Order the PTDE Packet? When Will I Receive It?

The PTDE Packet is not available at your local DPS. Instead, you must order it online directly from TDLR and pay the required $20 fee. Once you reach the purchase confirmation page, you'll see a link to download the packet. TDLR also emails a receipt that contains the same link. If you've requested a hard copy, it should arrive in about two to three weeks.

Do I Need to Get the PTDE Packet Before Starting the Course?

According to state regulations, students must order and receive the PTDE Packet before starting any Parent Taught Drivers Ed coursework online. The DPS will not accept any coursework a student does before receiving the PTDE Packet from the TDLR.

If you inadvertently started working on Aceable's PTDE course before you received the packet, stop working on it and take the following steps right away:

Make sure you have an eligible parent instructor.
Order the PTDE Packet from the TDLR as soon as possible.
When you receive the packet, hang on to it for three days.
After three days, contact us to update your Permit Certificate date.

This ensures the date printed on your Permit Certificate is after the date you received the PTDE Packet.

When Do I File the Forms With the DPS?

To ensure you complete each required step in order, follow the instructions in Aceable's Ultimate Guide to Parent Taught Driver's Ed. After completing the first six hours of the course (Level 1) and passing the state-approved, in-course permit test, you'll receive a certificate from the driving school. Now is the time for your first visit to the DPS.

Be sure to bring the following items with you:

The completed forms from the packet.
A printed copy of your certificate.
A Verification of Enrollment (VOE) form from the driving school, signed by a driving school administrator (no DPS witness required for this signature).
Identification documents (Social Security card, plus both a birth certificate and passport OR a U.S. Certificate of Citizenship).
Two parental proof of residency documents showing their name and address (mortgage statement, utility bills, bank statements, etc.).

What Happens After I Get My Permit?

Once you've received your learner's permit, you can start the in-car instruction and practice phase with your parent instructor. You'll need a total of 44 hours of instruction and training including:

7 hours of in-car observation
7 hours of behind-the-wheel training, and
30 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction (10 at night)

Students and parents must complete an official Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Log to document driving hours. The state limits you to one hour of behind-the-wheel instruction per day, so it will take a minimum of 44 days to complete this phase.

Who Can Be a Parent Instructor?

Parent instructors must meet all of the following requirements:

You are the student’s parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent, or legal guardian.
You have had a valid Texas driver's license for the preceding three years.*
You don’t have a conviction or probated sentence of criminally negligent homicide or driving while intoxicated.
You haven’t had your driving privileges suspended, revoked, or forfeited for traffic-related violations in the past three years.
You don’t have six or more points assigned to your driver's license.
You are not disabled due to mental illness.

*If the parent instructor has had a Texas license for less than the preceding three years, they are responsible for ordering a certified driver record from the state or country where they last had a license. The driver record should go back at least three years and the DPS will need to see the record when the student gets their permit.

What Happens if I Don’t Have an Eligible Parent Instructor?

Unfortunately, you cannot take Parent Taught Drivers Ed without an eligible parent instructor. If you don’t have an eligible parent instructor, Aceable's Instructor Taught Driver's Ed course is an excellent alternative. It allows you to take the classroom portion of driver's ed online at your own pace, then complete your behind-the-wheel instruction at an in-person driving school of your choice.

I Can't Find My Packet, How Do I Get Another Copy?

Getting another copy of the packet is easy! There's no need to pay for another packet. Instead, just look yourself up on the TDLR website and download the packet again.

The easiest option is to use the email address you entered when you originally ordered the packet. If you can't remember which one you used or nothing comes up, try using your receipt number or contact TDLR at 800-803-9202 for help.

Sign up for Online Texas Parent Taught Driver's Ed Today!

Now that you understand how to get started with PTDE, it's time to register for your online Texas DPS-approved course. It's a safe, affordable way to earn your learner's permit right from your smartphone or computer. Just be sure to hold off on starting the coursework until you've received your PTDE Program Guide.