Teaching a Teenager to Drive
I am unsure where to post this particular post, so posting it in my community regardless. There is little financial aspect on this other than potential for high car insurance premium, and more importantly, price of a decent used car in near future. So, I am in that phase of life, where it is time for me to teach my teenage daughter how to drive an automobile! :) Boy, I am sure you can guess where I am going with this. I have been doing the lessons for a few weeks now and MAN, it is hilarious and facing your mortal fear both at the same time.
In Texas, everything must be different as they must have to be somewhat unique, on purpose! So here, online driver education is categorized into two main paths: Parent-Taught (PTDE) and Self-Taught (Instructor-Led). For an online course to be valid, it must be approved by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). You you think this feels like TLDR? :) Because it is!
We are choosing the Parent-Taught, for now!
She is currently planning on getting the learners license, as soon as she is turning 15 in July. The learner license doesn't require any driving test (you are supposed to learn to drive for 6 months to one year, or however long it takes). As per the official document:
The Parent Taught Driver Education Program allows parents or other eligible instructors to use an approved driver education curriculum, along with their personal experience and expertise, to help students become safe and responsible drivers.
There are state-approved online providers who charges a fee (typically $55 - $100) for an online 24 total hours of instruction (video and exams). However, after they complete the first 6 hours of online instructions they can take a test. If they pass the test, then don't have to appear on the written test at the DPS.
Step 1: You must order the PTDE Program Guide ($20) from the TDLR website before starting any course.
Step 2: Choose an online provider (like those listed above) and select the "Parent-Taught" track.
Step 3: Complete the first 6 hours online to get your DE-964 certificate for the learner permit
My daughter is currently doing the online part, while typically during the weekend I have been driving her around, talking driving, and sometimes letting her drive in an empty parking lot. There are some private drives in Houston, my own community has one, where I can allow her to drive. But technically she is not supposed to drive on public roads until she gets her learners license.
After she completes those three steps above, then there is:
STEP 4 — DPS appointment: get the Learner License
Bring to DPS:
Learner license application (DL‑14B)
PTDE Classroom Completion Certificate
VOE (Verification of Enrollment & Attendance)
Proof of identity / residency
Parent present to sign
$16 DPS fee
At this point my teen ager will receive the Learner License and may begin behind-the-wheel instruction on Texas public roads. We will need to keep a log-book of behind-the-wheel instruction in detail, as they can be audited! :)
Required behind‑the‑wheel hours (PTDE)
Texas requires:
7 hours behind‑the‑wheel (instruction)
7 hours in‑car observation
30 hours additional supervised practice
10 hours must be at night
Total driving exposure = 44 hours
Only after that the teen is ready for a driving test (provided 6 months have passed without any incident) and get a provisional license (at age 16+).
If you think about it, that is not a small ask. Most parent typically let the student drive the car to high school while the parent rides in the passenger seat in front. But, for our case that is 15 min of drive, through local roads. In the morning they are relatively empty, but get quite busy in the afternoon on the way back. Most teens don't want to drive on the way back from school. This is because they are tired and simply don't want to deal with the traffic. I am seeing this in real time, as some of my daughter's friends are older and already going through with this process.
If you consider the 30+7 = 37 hours of driving, that is 2220 minutes. 15 min a day, 5 days a week, that is 30 weeks. Also please add that some days there will be:
- Dad, I am too sleepy today!
- Dad, I am not feeling like today!
- Silence!
Even if you consider that 10 hours of night driving later over the weekend, the total of 44 hours of required logged driving can easily take a full calendar year! At least that is the experience of a lot of my peers and her peers!
The reason, I am worrying about this are the following:
- There is virtually no public transport in Houston, and I am tired of being a Uber driver for my social butterfly!
- Both mom and dad travels a lot, and when we do, it is incredibly hard to get two kids to school at two different directions.
- I am really looking forward to a night out in town with my wife, when my daughter can drop us off, eh? Role reversal!
