Online Drivers Ed Course to Get Your Learner’s Permit
Written by Marleen Gonzalez
Are you preparing to obtain your Texas learner’s permit? Embarking on your first driving experience can be an exciting and novel journey, and it all starts with education. Driving privileges come with significant responsibilities and require strict adherence to safety rules.
A full driver education prepares you to obey the rules of the road before you get behind the wheel for the first time.
Driver’s ed courses are designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge required to navigate the roads safely, enabling you to meet the requirements to obtain your driver's permit online. Our 100% online driver education courses are easy to follow and are fully approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).
Upon completion of the course, you will be ready to apply your driving skills with confidence as you work toward earning a driver’s license.
Choose the Right Course for Your Needs
We offer several convenient options for state-approved online training. Take the drivers ed class that matches your situation and your age for a learning experience that meets your unique needs.
Parent-Taught Drivers Ed: If you are between the ages of 14 to 17 and prefer to learn how to drive from a parent or another qualified family member you feel comfortable with, this is the course for you. Instead of attending after-school classes, you can receive instruction from a trusted adult who will guide you through the process of obtaining your learner’s license. Your parent, guardian or family member must request approval from the TDLR to act as your instructor.
Self-Taught Drivers Ed: For those who prefer to learn independently and are seeking a quick and cost-effective way to fulfill state requirements with online driver’s ed, this option offers the flexibility to take the pre-licensing course from any location. You also won’t have to wait for the TDLR to approve an instructor. You can start learning as soon as you sign up.
Adult Drivers Ed: If you are between the ages of 18 and 24, you can skip the permit step and apply for your license after completing driver’s education online. For those juggling a busy schedule, our Adult Drivers Ed class will help you balance your commitments while satisfying training requirements for your license.
After Training, What's Next?
Once you complete the first module of your course, which takes about six hours, you can take the knowledge test for your learner’s license. An online knowledge exam is included with our teen drivers ed courses. If you don’t pass the test, you can schedule an in-person retake at a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) office location.
Even though you can start your driver’s education online at age 14, you can’t obtain your driver’s permit before you turn 15.
For teen drivers aged 14 to 17 who have already completed the first six hours of their driver’s permit class and passed the knowledge exam, the next step is to schedule an appointment at the nearest Texas DPS location to apply for a learner license. Teens must be accompanied by their parents or legal guardian.
You will need to bring a lot of paperwork to your appointment. Make sure you have all of the following documents:
- A completed license application, including parent signature
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency
- Two forms of proof of Texas residency
- Several forms of proof of identity
- Your Social Security number
- Verification that you are enrolled in or have graduated from an approved school program
- All paperwork included in the PTDE packet for those pursuing a parent-taught driver education
- Proof of vehicle registration and insurance
- A Texas Driver Education Certificate DE-964
- Evidence of passing the learner’s permit knowledge exam
The last two items on the list are provided when you finish the first module of our driving training courses and complete the permit knowledge exam.
After your appointment, you will get a temporary learner driver’s license. Your permanent driver’s permit will arrive in the mail in two to three weeks.
Next Steps for Learner’s Permit Holders
Your driver education doesn’t end with your permit. In fact, it is just the beginning. Your learner’s license allows you to practice driving with adult supervision as you work toward the next step in the Texas Graduated License Program: your provisional driver license.
First you will need to finish the rest of your introductory driving school course. After the first six hours and the permit exam, you will complete the rest of the full 32 hours of instruction and must hold your permit for at least six months.
Finally, to ensure compliance with Texas regulations, you must complete an Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) course in conjunction with behind-the-wheel training. We have an online course for that, too!
If you are at least 16 and satisfy all other state requirements, you can take the driving test for your provisional driver license. When you turn 18, your provisional license will expire, and you can visit the DMV to get your official license.