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Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte On a Texas provisional license, a teen may not carry more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member, a rule aimed at reducing the distraction and crash risk that extra young passengers add. Family members generally do not count toward the limit, and the restriction applies until the driver turns 18. Understanding who counts helps teens and parents avoid an easy-to-miss violation. Applies to Texas teen driver education and licensing (ages 14–17). Requirements are set by TDLR (driver education) and the Texas DPS (licensing) and can change. Key

Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte Texas law prohibits drivers with a provisional license, and drivers under 18, from using handheld wireless devices while driving, and it bans handheld use for all drivers in active school zones. The rule covers texting, calling, and similar handheld use, with narrow exceptions such as emergencies. Because distracted driving is a leading crash factor for teens, this restriction is one of the core provisional rules and applies until the driver turns 18. Applies to Texas teen driver education and licensing (ages 14–17). Requirements are set by TDLR (driver education) and the Texas

Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte A Texas teen can get a provisional driver’s license at 16 by working through the graduated licensing steps: complete Module 1 of a TDLR-approved driver education course for the DE-964E and a learner’s permit at 15, hold the permit at least six months while logging supervised driving, then finish the full course (DE-964) and the free ITTD video before passing the driving test. Provisional driving at 16 comes with restrictions — a nighttime limit, a passenger limit, and no handheld devices — that last until age 18. This guide walks the full

Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte Texas Teen Driver Education (TDE) is the commercial option, where a licensed driving school provides both the 32 hours of classroom instruction and 14 hours of in-car training (7 driving and 7 observing), rather than a parent teaching the driving. It covers the same teen age group and licensing path as parent-taught drivers ed (PTDE) but shifts the behind-the-wheel role from a parent to a professional instructor. Families usually choose between TDE and PTDE based on cost, scheduling, and whether a qualifying adult is available to teach the driving. Applies to Texas

Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte The Texas PTDE Program Guide is the official TDLR document you must obtain before starting parent-taught drivers ed, and as of January 2026 it costs $20 and is delivered by email only — TDLR no longer mails a physical packet. It contains the required forms, including the DE-964E and DE-964 certificate forms and the driving log, plus the receipt number you’ll need for your records. You order it online from TDLR, save the emailed PDF in more than one place, and use it to begin the course and apply for your teen’s

Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte The Texas PTDE driving log is the form, included in the PTDE Program Guide, where you record each behind-the-wheel practice session your teen completes with a qualifying adult. For every session you note the date, time or duration, and conditions such as day, night, or weather, building toward the supervised practice Texas requires (commonly 30 hours, including 10 at night). Keeping the log accurate and complete is what prevents delays when it’s time to apply for the provisional license. Applies to Texas teen driver education and licensing (ages 14–17). Requirements are set

Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte Texas PTDE can be completed two ways: the concurrent method, where the teen finishes Module 1, gets the learner’s permit, and then continues the classroom alongside behind-the-wheel practice, or the block method, where all 32 classroom hours are finished before any driving. About 80% of families choose concurrent because it lets the teen start logging real driving sooner. The right choice depends on your schedule and how soon you want your teen behind the wheel, since both lead to the same DE-964 and provisional license. Applies to Texas teen driver education and

Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte A Texas provisional license (for drivers 16 to 17) comes with three core restrictions: no driving between midnight and 5 a.m. except for work, school, or a medical emergency; no more than one passenger under 21 who is not a family member; and no use of handheld wireless devices while driving. These rules are part of the graduated licensing system and apply until the driver turns 18. Violating them can lead to penalties and can extend how long the restrictions apply, so understanding them is part of safe teen driving. Applies to

Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte Texas Parent Taught Drivers Ed (PTDE) is a TDLR-approved option that lets a qualifying parent or adult teach the behind-the-wheel portion while the teen completes 32 hours of classroom instruction through an approved online course. You start by buying the PTDE Program Guide from TDLR ($20, delivered by email since January 2026), then complete Module 1 to earn the DE-964E certificate for a learner’s permit at 15, and finish the course and required driving to qualify for a provisional license at 16. This guide walks the whole path from program guide to

Updated June 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte Texas parent-taught drivers ed usually costs about $100 to $150 in total for most families, combining the online course fee (commonly $60–$100), the $20 PTDE Program Guide from TDLR, and the state’s permit and license fees. That is well below commercial teen driver education, which often runs several hundred dollars because it includes professional in-car instruction. Knowing the individual pieces — course, program guide, and DPS fees — lets you budget the whole path before you enroll. Applies to Texas teen driver education and licensing (ages 14–17). Requirements are set by TDLR