Something to think about.... IF your child will be taking EITHER the Written OR Driving Test during the summer or other times that school is not in session, you will need to obtain the VOE ahead of time. What is a VOE? And YES you need one for each test...

Verification of School Enrollment and Attendance (VOE). The VOE must be obtained from the school and be signed by the school administrator or his/her designee. It is valid for ONLY 30 DAYS!

Something to think about...

ACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS

Texas Drivers License (thought this course was about getting one?) or valid US Passport.

If not, at least original or certified copy of a birth certificate or birth record issued by the appropriate State Bureau of Vital Statistics WITH embossed seal, and 2 supporting documents.

And the journey starts...

Step-by-Step PTDE Process 

Step 1: Obtain an Approved PTDE Course 

TDLR must approve all PTDE courses before they may be utilized under the PTDE Program. In order to assist you in selecting the appropriate course program for your student, refer to the TDLR-Approved Parent Taught Driver Education Courses listed in Appendix A or at www.tdlr.texas.gov/driver/driverforms.htm

So it looks like I am going to choose Course 102 as they offer unlimited practice exams and the ability to take actual written test online... AND a free t-shirt! lol

Course 102
National Driver Training Institute
1901 Ranch Road 620
North Lakeway, TX 78734
800- 942-2050 or 719-266-4700
www.USDriverTraining.com

I used course 101 from Region 13 for previous daughter... it is cheaper but online course is kinda hard to navigate and hard to find information about using it again OR online tests.

That was fast! Received packet e-mail this morning. Some basic info taken from the packet:

What Does PTDE Do For You 

PTDE provides instructors an alternative to commercial or public school driver education and allows students to work at their own pace. A TDLR approved PTDE course will teach your student what he/she needs to know to obtain a learner license and/or provisional license.

Parent Taught Driver Education Course Requirements 

This packet does not contain any of the approved PTDE course material. The instructor is responsible for obtaining a PTDE course approved by TDLR. An instructor may not use his/her own PTDE developed course unless TDLR has approved the course before any instruction begins. 

The instructor is responsible to ensure that the student masters all materials which must be covered while in the PTDE Program. Upon completion of the required hours of instruction, the instructor must certify to DPS that he/she has provided all required hours of instruction under the PTDE Program. The Certificate of Completion (along with all documents required) presented during the learner license or provisional license application process will become official records of DPS. 

Each approved PTDE course has a name and an assigned course number (see Appendix A). The instructor is responsible to know the name and number of the approved PTDE course used to teach the student. The instructor is required to write this information on several of the forms utilized for the PTDE Program.

Parent Taught Driver Education Methodology 

There are two methods, Block and Concurrent, which may be used to instruct your student. 

● The Block Method is when the 32 hours of classroom instruction is taught in its entirety before the in-car observation begins. 

● The Concurrent Method is when the classroom instruction and in-car observation are taught simultaneously. 

Block Method 

The 32 hours of classroom instruction are taught as one “block.” Once the instructor has provided the entire 32 hours of classroom instruction, he/she must complete the required certifications indicating that the entire 32 hours of classroom instruction were taught under the Block Method. The student can then apply for his/her learner license. Once the student obtains his/her learner license, the instructor can teach the 44 hours of the Behind-the-Wheel phase. The 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice can be completed with the instructor or an adult over 21 years of age who has held a license for more than one year. The Behind-the-Wheel phase consists of 37 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction (at least 10 hours of instruction must take place at night), and 7 hours of in-car observation. 

Concurrent Method 

All classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction must be taught while in the PTDE Program. The Behind-the- Wheel phase consists of 37 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction (at least 10 hours of instruction must take place at night) and 7 hours of in-car observation. Under the Concurrent Method, the instructor must teach the first 6 hours of classroom instruction which covers required topics. The instructor must then complete the required certifications and applications so the student can apply for his/her learner license. I prefer this method and used it for the 1st daughter. 

Parent Taught Driver Education 101

Wish I had thought about this blog when I started teaching the 1st daughter - YES DAUGHTERS - how to drive! Of course, I had no idea on how to go about it when I started so MAYBE this time the process will go smoother!!

Applying for the teaching packet is easier... the PTDE site has been moved from the Texas Department of Public Safety to The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Go to the new page and click on the "Order Online" link under Parent Taught Packets.

Filled out the packet request form, paid the $20 fee and now waiting for the packet to arrive in the e-mail!