If you’re learning to drive in Texas, then you’ve probably heard the term “parent taught drivers ed” tossed around. This type of driver education allows students to take their required classroom hours with an online provider and complete their behind-the-wheel training with a parent or legal guardian.
While parent taught drivers ed in Texas has become more popular across the state, it isn’t for everyone. In this post, we’ll go over the benefits of parent-taught driver education, talk about why you may not be eligible for the program and explain how it compares to instructor taught drivers ed. By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly which teen drivers ed program is right for you!
The Benefits of Taking Parent Taught Driver Education in Texas
Being stuck in the car for hours under parental supervision may not be the most appealing idea to a lot of teenagers, but it has its benefits when you’re trying to get a drivers license in Texas. Below are some of the top reasons why families choose parent taught drivers ed.
You can complete the 32-hour classroom part of your state-approved driver education program online. Taking online drivers ed may be more convenient for you because it allows you to access the course 24/7 and take it wherever you want.
With Texas parent taught drivers education, you will not have to pay for driving school. Instead, you’ll complete the required 44 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a parent, step-parent, grandparent or legal guardian for free.
In many cases, this form of Texas drivers education allows you to get your learner’s permit sooner. In Texas, drivers education programs that abide by the concurrent method allow you to get your learners permit after the first six hours of classroom instruction. Many parent taught online driver’s education programs use the concurrent method.
Who Can’t Participate in Texas Parent Taught Drivers Ed
While the benefits of parent taught Texas driver education are abundant, this driver licensing program is not available to everyone. While all teen drivers could participate, there are limitations for eligible parent instructors.
Parent Taught Drivers Ed Disqualifiers
The Texas Department of Public Safety (Texas DPS) has certain rules about which adults are eligible to be parent instructors. Your parent or guardian may not be eligible to serve as your parent instructor if any of the following is true:
They don’t currently hold a valid drivers license.
They have had a DWI on their record at any point in time.
Their drivers license has been suspended or revoked at any point during the last three years.
They have more than six points on their driving record.
Parent Taught Drivers Ed Alternatives
A parent instructor is usually the most convenient option, but for the reasons noted above it’s not always possible. It’s a good thing that Texas offers another alternative - a designated individual.
Your parent or legal guardian can designate another person to be the instructor, but the person must:
Have a valid drivers license.
Be 25 years old or older.
Have 7+ years of driving experience.
Agree not to charge a fee.
Meet the parent instructor requirements.
Even if your parent is not eligible to teach you how to drive and you can’t find a designated individual, that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. There are still excellent classroom and online drivers education programs available to you. The two alternative options are:
Take the classroom phase of instructor taught drivers ed as well as the permit test with an online provider. After you finish you’ll get your Certificate of Completion and can take the learners permit test. You can then sign up for a behind-the-wheel course for young drivers at a local driver training school. There, you’ll be able to practice driving skills with a professional Texas driver ed instructor.
Take both the classroom phase and behind-the-wheel phase together. In some cases, a local public school will offer drivers ed courses to students within the district, however, spots are almost always limited. You’re more likely to get a space in the class if you take drivers ed with a professional driving school.
Depending on the school, you’ll be able to get your instruction permit after six hours, or after you complete the entire classroom phase, then start working on your in-car training. After you’ve finished both phases of drivers ed, you’re ready to go to the Texas DPS office and take the road test to get your provisional drivers license!
Choosing the Right Texas Drivers Ed Program
It’s important to note that both instructor-taught and parent-taught driver’s ed are designed to teach you how to be a safe driver. When it comes to the quality of education you’ll receive, one isn’t “better” than the other.
Deciding between instructor taught and parent taught driver education usually comes down to convenience, budget and which options are available. You should also consider the parent/child relationship and how well you communicate. Some teen drivers and parents are more comfortable having a professional do the driving instruction.
If you have any more questions about the drivers ed process in Texas, don’t hesitate to check out the Aceable Help Center or contact our friendly team any day of the week. We’re here to help you get your drivers license the way that works best for you.
*This article was updated on 4/23/2020