Texas Parent Taught DRIVER EDUCaTION

Driver education is the most important course a young person must take. Understanding safe driving principles could mean their life. In today's world where learning has never been more flexible, our focus was on safety, retention, and ease of use for both the parent and student.

We have evaluated the top three approved state parent taught driver education courses and we recommend Virtual Drive of Texas.

Texas Parent Taught Rules

Texas implemented a Parent Taught Driver Education Program on April 1, 1997. The Parent Taught Driver Education Program requires students to acquire the essential knowledge, skills and experience to perform reduced-risk practices in the total traffic environment. To achieve this goal, students are required to master the following elements: applicable Texas traffic laws, rules and procedures for operating and owning an automobile; benefits of occupant protections, use of a space management systems; factors and behaviors that effect driver performance including alcohol and other drugs; and protection of Texas natural resources, including litter prevention.

The Parent Taught Driver Education Program is available to teenagers between the ages of 14 and 17. However, before the instructor (parent, stepparent, grandparent, step-grandparent, or legal guardian) begins teaching this course, the instructor must have a valid TEXAS driver license. Active Military US military personnel and their spouse may participate as instructors if they hold a valid license from their state of permanent residence or last duty station.

The instructor cannot have a conviction (including a probated sentence) of criminally negligent homicide or driving while intoxicated. The instructor's license may not be suspended, revoked, or forfeited in the past three years for traffic related violations. Furthermore, the instructor may not be disabled due to mental illness. Questions as to mental stability will be forwarded to the Medical Advisory Board for determination.

It is the responsibility of the instructor to check both their criminal and driver records prior to requesting the packet. The Department will not check the instructor's record until issuance of the instruction permit to the student. If at that time it is determined that the instructor has a prohibited conviction the instruction permit will be denied and all prior classroom instruction credit is invalid.

In order to apply for a Parent Taught Driver Education Program, you must complete the DL-92 - Request Form and submit with a $20.00 non-refundable fee (check or money order only) to: Texas Department of Public Safety, License Issuance Bureau, P.O. Box 149246, Austin, Texas 78714-9246. An additional Request Form and $20.00 non--refundable fee are required for each student who will be participating in the Parent Taught Driver Education Program. Please allow 2 - 3 weeks for delivery.

Who qualifys as a parent taught instructor?

Any parent, grandparent, step-parent, step-grandparent and/or legal guardian.

Active Military US military personnel and their spouse may participate as instructors if they hold a valid license from their state of permanent residence or last duty station

Why parent taught?

Parent taught driver education has quickly become the most popular method of teaching driver education.

Many choose parent taught driver education simply because it has shown dramatic improvments in the accident rates of teen drivers when compared the current national and state averages.

There are so many Parent taught courses available. What are the differences?

Although it sometimes can seem overwhelming with the amount of websites offering Driver education, there are really actually only 3 general types:

A "Build your own course": Which actually are the least expensive because they are the most difficult on the parent.

They require the parent to set up their own curriculum from the entire generic set of state requirement documents.

Parents are also requred to participate as the physical instructor for all hours of the classroom work.

If time is critical,"build your own courses" may not be your preferred route as incorrect paperwork can delay or negate partt/all of the training.

BTextbook Courses: These also include most of the CD ROM and Onine courses offered today as the teaching method iremains the same, reading test. Abeit reading from a computer screen.

Videos are sometimes included with upgraded packages and can be interchanged to a nearby TV/VCR setup when one is available.

C CBT Course:

Computer based training or CBT, was first used in the 80's has shown that students retain more when the same information is sent to different senses, by utilizing graphics, audio, animations, and videos intertwined.

Devleloped in the 80's CBT is still used by the military for training youth in very complex fighter aircraft and combat vehicle operations.

Now CBT is available for driver education. It is the easy for parents as it provides the parent with a virtual instructor to teach all of the In-class instruction taking ALL of the guess work out. The parent is gauranteed that their student is following the process correctly.

We recommend Virtual Drive of America as the best parent taught program

Is Parent taught allowed in my state?

Currently all but a few states have adopted a parent taught program while legislation is quickly moving forward most of the others. If you have a question about your state feel free to contact the folks at Virtual Drive directly at 1-877-652-9558.

Didn't see your question here?

Email: info@vdrive.us

The Request Form must be completely filled out with original signatures or the process will be delayed.