Texas Driver Ed FAQ
Minor and Adult Driver Education
How long is the minor and adult driver education course
The classroom phase of a driver education course is at least 32 hours, and it cannot be completed in fewer than 16 days. The in-car phase consists of 7 hours of behind-the-wheel driving, 7 hours of in-car observation, and an additional 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, of which 10 hours must be done at night.
The additional 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice must be monitored from the front passenger seat during the driving practice by an adult 21 years or older who holds a valid driver license and has at least one year of driving experience.
I lost the form that I received when I completed my driver education course and I need it to get my driver license. Who can I contact to get a duplicate
To get a duplicate certificate of completion (the DE-964 or DE-964E Certificate of Completion), contact the public school or driver education school you attended. If you completed a parent taught course, contact the parent taught course provider.
My child dropped out of high school and has been told that they cannot get a driver license until they are 18. Is that true?
Yes. Persons under 18 must be enrolled and attending school as a condition of being licensed to operate a motor vehicle, unless the person has a high school diploma or GED.
What is a student's alternative to getting a Verification of Enrollment and Attendance Form from their high school during the summer months?
If the VOE is issued the last week of school or during the summer, it is valid for more than the normal 30 days; i.e. until school starts after summer vacation. If you are applying during the summer and are still enrolled in school, your last report card for the most recent school year is acceptable if it has the student's name, a list of absences, and a complete listing of grades.
I am enrolled in a 32-hour teen driver education course and I just turned 18. Can I use the time I have already completed as proof of completion of my 6-hour adult driver education course?
No. Teen driver education classroom hours cannot be applied to the 6-hour adult driver education classroom hour requirements. You must complete the full adult driver course or complete the full teen driver education program.
I completed my driver education course and the school will not issue my completion certificate. What should I do?
The school can withhold the completion certificate if the course has not been paid for in full. Please contact the school first to verify that the student has completed all the required classes or make-up hours. If you have reached out to the school and they will not provide you with your completion certificate, please contact driver education and safety program staff and include the name and address of the school, and the student's first and last name.
Transfers
If I start at one driver education school, am I allowed to transfer to a different school?
Yes, you may transfer to another driver education school. For more information about transfers, please contact driver education and safety program staff.
I was enrolled in an out-of-state driver education course and completed part of or all my classroom hours but never got a driver license or permit. Do these hours transfer to Texas?
Out of state hours do not transfer to Texas. You will need to enroll into a Texas driver education program to complete the classroom and driving requirements necessary to obtain a Texas learner's permit and driver license. Please check with DPS for more information.
I have a learner's license from out of state. Does that transfer to Texas?
Please check with DPS for more information on transferring your learner license to Texas .
How long must I hold a Texas learner's permit before I can get my provisional license?
You must hold a Texas learner's permit for a minimum of six months (unless you turn 18) prior to obtaining your provisional license.
I've heard that my child can complete the classroom phase of driver education at their high school or a licensed driver education school, and afterwards we can transfer to the Parent Taught Program so I can teach the in-car portion. Is that true?
Yes, that can be done but there are requirements:
- Your child must complete the entire classroom phase at the licensed driver education school or high school. You must obtain an official transfer of classroom hours from the high school or licensed driver education school, so you can prove to DPS that they completed the classroom phase. The transfer is also used to obtain their permit.
- You must apply for a TDLR Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide and receive it before you and your child begin the in-car phase. Your child must also have a valid learner's permit issued by DPS before any driving instruction may be given.
You must complete the requirements as specified in the TDLR Parent Taught Driver Education Program Guide, but only those that apply to the in-car phase.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about our driving school programs and Texas driver's license requirements.