Driver Education and Safety

On this page:

Sign Up for Email Updates

Stay up-to-date on recent developments with email notifications. Get info on changes to laws and rules, important notices, upcoming meetings, and more.

Subscribe

News and Updates

Attention Parent Taught Providers

September 8, 2023

On October 15, 2023, currently registered parent taught providers wishing to continue offering a parent taught course must apply and pay for a Driver Education Provider license with a parent taught endorsement. 

Parent-taught providers who have not submitted an application for a Driver Education Provider license with the parent-taught endorsement by November 30, 2023, will not be authorized to offer a parent taught course.

What is New?

  • Parent Taught Providers and Driver Education Schools will be listed under one license type called Driver Education Providers. The license number will begin with the letter “C”.
  • All providers, including Parent Taught providers, must now carry a Driver Education Provider bond in the amount of $10,000.00, and the bond must meet the requirements set forth in Texas Education Code 1001.207.
  • Providers must update their advertisements to reflect their new license number and comply with all advertising requirements set forth in Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 84.
  • All applications including certificate orders will be online only. Discard any paper applications you may have.
  • Paper applications mailed to the department after October 15, 2023, will be rejected.

The Education & Examination Division is putting together a training guide for the application process that will be released closer to October 15, 2023.

If you have any questions about these changes, please email the Education & Examination Division.

Driver Education & Safety Program Goes Paperless

August 11, 2023

Beginning September 15, 2023, the Driver Education & Safety program will no longer accept paper applications for initial or renewal provider licenses, or for certificate orders. All applications and certificate orders must be submitted using the Online Licensing Services system. Online applications and orders will help us speed up this process for licensees.

Paper applications submitted to the department after September 15, 2023, will be rejected.

Please note that the approval process for Parent Taught Providers will remain paper-based until November 1, 2023, because they are not required to hold a license until then. After November 1, 2023, they will switch to the online applications.

If you have any questions, you may contact the Education & Examination Division.

Fingerprint Information

July 18, 2023

Fingerprints provided for YOUR TDLR application shall be used to check criminal history records of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in accordance with applicable statutes.

NOTE: Do NOT schedule an appointment for fingerprinting until after you have filed your license application. All the information you need to schedule your fingerprint appointment will be sent to you after you apply.

FINGERPRINTS SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY TO DPS: The DPS has entered into an exclusive contract with IDEMIA to provide statewide electronic fingerprinting through DPS Fingerprint Applicant Services of Texas (FAST) locations operated by IdentoGO. FAST is available by scheduling an appointment on-line at IdentoGO or by calling

1-888-467-2080. DPS FAST locations operated by IdentoGO are committed to a 98% classifiable rate, which means quality prints, less rejections, and quick responses.

1. Scheduling your fingerprint appointment

FAST is available by scheduling an appointment on-line at IdentoGO or by calling 1-888-467-2080.

When Scheduling Online:
  1. Have the Texas Fingerprint Service Code. If you do not know your service code, contact TDLR via webform here or at (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.
  2. Select Schedule or Manage Appointment and follow the prompts to enter “Essential Info” on the initial registration page.
  3. Next, you will be asked to enter your “Agency Assigned Applicant Number.” This Agency Identifier is your unique TDLR Entity/ID Number. You must enter “LS-” before typing your TDLR Entity/ID Number.

    If you are applying for a license for the first time, you can obtain your TDLR Entity/ID Number:

    • in the body of the email you received after you submitted your application through the Online Licensing Services system;
    • on the Request for Information letter that you receive to notify you that you must complete the fingerprinting process; or
    • by contacting TDLR via webform here or at (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.

    If you are already licensed and need to resubmit your fingerprints, you can obtain your TDLR Entity/ID Number:

    • in the body of the email you received after you renewed through the Online Licensing Services system;
    • on your renewal notice postcard sent to you 30 days prior to your license expiration; or
    • by contacting TDLR via webform here or at (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.

  4. Complete all other personal identifying information as instructed.
  5. Select the location nearest to you and a convenient date and
When Scheduling Over the Phone:
  1. Have the Texas Fingerprint Service Code before calling. If you do not know your service code, contact TDLR via webform here or at (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.
  2. IDEMIA will prompt you for the service code.
  3. The call center operator will ask you for your demographic information, i.e. Date of Birth, Sex, Race, Ethnicity, Height, Weight, Eye Color, Hair Color, Place of Birth and Home Address.
  4. You will be asked for your Agency Identifier as part of the registration process. This Agency Identifier is your unique TDLR Entity/ID Number. Please see item (c) above in the “When Scheduling Online” section regarding where to locate your Agency Assigned Applicant Number.
  5. You will select the location nearest to you for your fingerprint appointment.

2. Your Fingerprint Appointment:

  1. Arrive at your scheduled appointment with your photo identification and fee payment.
  2. If you plan on bringing a form of identification other than a valid (unexpired) TX Driver License, please refer to the Department of Public Safety’s acceptable document types here:
    http://www.dps.texas.gov/administration/crime_records/docs/ProveIdForFingerprinting.pdf
  3. IDEMIA accepts Visa/MasterCard/Discover/American Express, business checks, money orders and coupon codes (employer accounts) at the time of service. Please note that personal checks and cash will not be accepted.
  4. Your fingerprints will be submitted electronically to DPS and the FBI. You will not receive a printed fingerprint card.
  5. At the conclusion of your appointment, the IDEMIA enrollment agent will provide you with an IdentoGO receipt stating that you were fingerprinted. Do not throw away the receipt. You may be asked to submit it to TDLR for record location purposes.
  6. You may check status on your submission by clicking on this link: IdentoGO
FINGERPRINTS SUBMITTED BY MAIL THROUGH IDEMIA:

Contact IDEMIA by telephone to submit fingerprints by mail.

Telephone Registration:

  1. Contact IDEMIA at 1-888-467-2080.
  2. Have the TX Fingerprint Service Code before you call. If you do not know your service code, contact TDLR via webform here or at (512) 463-6599 or (800) 803-9202.
  3. IDEMIA will prompt you for the Service Code.
  4. Inform the IDEMIA representative that you wish to enroll for a card by mail.
  5. IDEMIA will prompt you for all required information and will guide you through the rest of the process.
PAY BY CREDIT CARD, BUSINESS CHECK OR MONEY ORDER:

During your registration, you will be provided an opportunity to make your payment by credit card or to elect to mail in your payment by business check or money order made out to IDEMIA with your submission.

No personal checks will be accepted.

The cost for obtaining an ink card may vary and is not included in the fingerprint registration process or fee.

Cards must be mailed to the vendor.

Assistance Using the New Online Licensing System

May 5, 2023

Providers can now apply and renew online. TDLR has created a series of step-by-step help documents to guide you through using the new online licensing system.

 

Presentation from Driver Education and Safety Summits Available

May 16, 2023

The presentation files are now available from the Driver Education and Safety Summits that took place in Dallas, Houston, McAllen and Austin during April and May 2023.

Download the PowerPoint Presentation

Licensee Guide to House Bill 1560 Changes

May 10, 2023

TDLR has received a number of questions about changes to the Driver Education and Safety licensing program, and has developed an online, interactive guide that may be helpful in explaining how these changes will affect specific types of licensees. The guide includes information about rules changes that were proposed on February 10, 2023, and will become effective on June 1, 2023.

Driver Education & Safety Certificate Orders Unavailable from May 23 - June 5

May 4, 2023

Starting May 23, 2023, the Driver Education and Safety Program will begin moving its licensing information to a new database.

Providers will not be able to order certificates through the online Certificate Order portal between May 23, 2023, and June 5, 2023. PLEASE NOTE: Certificate Orders will not be processed at all during the transition phase between May 16, 2023, through June 5, 2023. f you are running low on paper certificates or certificate numbers, we encourage you to place your orders for certificates now. Please do not wait to place any orders as we will not be able to assist you with certificates or numbers between May 16 and June 5.

If you have any questions, please contact the Education & Examination Division.

Driving Safety Certificate Template

May 4, 2023

Driving Safety Providers: HB1560 repealed the Driving Safety Instructor and the Driving Safety School license, and TDLR has updated the driving safety certificate template to reflect that change.

No later than June 1, 2023, all driving safety providers must use the updated Driving Safety Certificate Template (MS Word) when issuing a certificate of completion to students.

Any certificate using the old template that is issued after June 1, 2023, will be rejected.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Education and Examination Division.

Driving Safety Certificate Template

May 4, 2023

Driving Safety Providers: HB1560 repealed the Driving Safety Instructor and the Driving Safety School license, and TDLR has updated the driving safety certificate template to reflect that change.

No later than June 1, 2023, all driving safety providers must use the updated Driving Safety Certificate Template when issuing a certificate of completion to students.

Any certificate using the old template that is issued after June 1, 2023, will be rejected.

If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Education and Examination Division.

Flashing Lights Video Has Moved To TDLR YouTube Channel

May 2, 2023

Please note that we have moved the Flashing Lights video from Vimeo to our YouTube channel effective immediately. If you have been sending students to Vimeo to view the video, please share this new link with them.

Driver Education Providers with Multiple Website Addresses

April 26, 2023

In 2021, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1560, adopting the Sunset Advisory Commission’s recommendations into law. HB 1560 modified the Driver Education and Safety program at TDLR by eliminating course approval requirements and course fees.

This notice is to inform you that effective June 1, 2023, Driver Education Providers who are approved to offer multiple course types and who use multiple website addresses (also known as URLs) for those course types will be limited to one website address or URL.

  • What does this mean for you?
  • Only one website address will be allowed per provider.
  • The website address used for the Driver Education Provider license will be the only site available to the public when accessing the TDLR website.
  • Providers will need to update their webpages, if needed, and plan accordingly for this change.
  • Providers may continue to use multiple website addresses for each of their courses, but the additional addresses will not be listed on the TDLR website. Should providers continue to use multiple websites, the websites must display the driver education provider’s name and the TDLR license number on each website, as well as on the registration page the student uses to pay any monies, provide any personal information, and enroll.

If you have any questions, please contact the Education & Examination Division.

Revised Info re: Driver Training Informational Summits Scheduled For McAllen, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin

March 10, 2023

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will meet with interested Driver Education providers, Driving Safety providers and Driver Education Instructors to steer them through the legislative changes for the Driver Education and Driver Safety programs.

Sessions will be held in person and a virtual option will be available on the afternoon of May 1 only. We look forward to seeing you and hearing your opinions and concerns about your industry.

Topics include:

  • Deregulation of certain licenses and programs
  • New Driver Education Provider structure
  • New online application and renewal process
  • Updates on the inspection process
  • New Driver Education Certificate Data upload process
City Date Times Location

Dallas/

Fort Worth

April 24, 2023

8 a.m. to 11 a.m. or

1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Wyndham Garden Dallas North

2645 Lyndon B Johnson FWY, Dallas, TX 75234

Austin and

Virtual Session

May 1, 2023

8 a.m. to 11 a.m. or

*2 p.m. to 5 p.m.*

TDLR North Campus Location, 1106 Clayton Lane, Austin TX 78723

The morning session will be in-person only. The afternoon session will be available in person and virtual.

Draft Rules Posted for Jan. 23 Advisory Committee Meeting

January 17, 2023

On January 23, 2023, the Driver Training and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee will meet to discuss and consider possible action on proposed rules related to the implementation of last session’s TDLR Sunset Bill, HB 1560, Article 5. The Sunset Bill made several statutory changes to the Driver Education and Safety program.

To ensure the public can adequately follow the advisory board’s discussion during the meeting, TDLR is providing the draft rule text. Please note that we will publish the official rule text in the Texas Register on a future date after the advisory board takes action and interested parties will be able to provide comments at that time. If there are any discrepancies between this draft and the official text, the official text as posted in the Texas Register will be the official version.

The January 23 meeting will be broadcast live via the TDLR YouTube channel beginning at 10 a.m. and will be available for viewing later.

East Central Driving School Closure

January 9, 2023

East Central Driving School located at 11355 US Hwy 87 E, Ste 1, in Adkins Tx 78101, has closed as of December 2022.

The TDLR Education & Examination Division has received the student records and is working on Verification of Instruction Letters. The Verification of Instruction letter is a document created by TDLR based off the classroom and behind the wheel hours the student completed at East Central Driving School.

TDLR will mail the Verification of Instruction letter to the address that was provided when the student enrolled at East Central Driving School, along with copies of the student’s records. Once the parent receives those documents, they will take the records to another driver education providerto complete the driver education.

Refunds will be determined once the Verification of Instruction letters have been issued to all students.

If you are a student who was affected by the permanent closure of East Central Driving School, please contact the TDLR Education and Examination Divisionwith the following information:

  • Parent’s Full Name
  • Student’s Full Name
  • Enrollment Dates
  • Your Phone Number
  • Your Email Address
  • Your Mailing Address

For more information regarding school closures, please review the Closed School FAQ’s.

Schools Accepting Students from Closed Schools

C1595 Judson Driving School
103 S Seguin Rd
Converse TX, 78109
210-658-0408

Distance Education Temporary Provisions Expire November 1st

August 24, 2022

On March 12, 2020, March 31, 2020, and May 21, 2020, TDLR enacted temporary distance education provisions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These temporary provisions allowed licensed in-person driver education schools and in-person driving safety schools to offer distance education because many schools could not provide in-person classes under state or local COVID-19 restrictions.

TDLR’s temporary provisions allowing licensed in-person driver education schools and in-person driving safety schools to offer distance education will end on November 1, 2022.

Driver education schools will need to follow the current provisions in the laws and rules for the approval to offer an online course, if they are not currently approved.

Driving safety schools will need to contact a licensed driving safety provider if they wish to offer an online course or will need to follow the provisions in laws and rules for creating an online course.

If you have any questions, please contact the Education & Examination Division.

Several Driving Training Courses Repealed

August 23, 2022

Effective June 1, 2023, the following driver training programs will be repealed:

  • Driving Safety Course for Drivers Younger than 25 Years of Age [DSY25]. Providers are required to continue reporting certificate completions until further notice.
  • Specialized Driving Safety Course [Seatbelt Course]Providers are required to continue reporting certificate completions until further notice.
  • Drug and Alcohol Driving Awareness Program [DADAP]Students who are enrolled in the court ordered programs (Specialized Driving Safety or DADAP course) because of a court order signed on or before June 1, 2023, are subject to the law in effect on the date the court order was entered, and TDLR will follow the terms of the order to ensure that the student has adequate time to complete the program or course.

Please note that the 6-Hour Driving Safety Course also known as the Ticket Dismissal Course is notrepealed.

The repeal of the programs comes as a result of House Bill (HB) 1560, which was passed during the 87th Texas Legislative Session and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 15, 2021. (Section 5 of the bill addresses Driver Education and Traffic Safety.)

As TDLR continues to implement the revisions of HB 1560, we will continue to provide advance updates through TDLR’s social media channels, the Driver Education & Safety webpage, and through TDLR’s email notifications.

Please sign up for email updates to be notified of any driving education or driving safety program updates.

Driver Education Teacher, Teaching Assistant, and Supervising Teacher Licenses Repealed

July 18, 2022

Effective September 1, 2021, the following licenses were repealed:

  • Driver Education Teacher
  • Teaching Assistant
  • Supervising Teacher

The repeal of the licenses was the result of House Bill (HB) 1560, which was passed during the 87th Texas Legislative Session and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 15, 2021. Section 5 of the bill addresses Driver Education and Traffic Safety.

  • The Texas Legislature created a new instructor license type: Driver Education Instructor. This license type will go into effect no later than June 1, 2023. At that time, instructors holding the current licenses for Driver Education Teacher, Teaching Assistant, and Supervising Teacher will be automatically transitioned to the Driver Education Instructor license. No action will be needed on the part of the licensee.
  • Current driver education instructor licensees will continue to renew their instructor license.
  • New applicants will follow current rules for licensure until new rules are adopted.

As TDLR continues to implement the revisions of HB1560, we will continue to provide advance updates through TDLR’s social media channels, the Driver Education & Safety webpage, and through TDLR’s email notifications.

Please sign up for email updatesto be notified of any driving education or driving safety program updates.

Driving Safety School Licenses Abolished As Of June 1, 2023

June 22, 2022

Driving Safety School licenses will be abolished as of June 1, 2023. The Texas Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 1560 during the 87th Texas Legislative Session and Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill on June 15, 2021.

Section 5 of the bill, which addresses Driver Education and Traffic Safety, ends the requirement for Driving Safety School Licenses. Please note that:

  • A Driving Safety School license issued under Chapter 1001 of the Texas Education Code continues to be valid until June 1, 2023.
  • Schools should continue to operate and comply with the current Texas Administrative Code Chapter 84 until the repeal date.

TDLR will continue providing updates about our implementation of HB 1560 via our Driver Education & Safety webpage, email notifications and social media posts.

Please be sure to sign up for email updatesto be notified of any driving education or driving safety program updates, if you have not already done so.

Driver Education Instructor Development Course Repealed As Of June 1, 2023

The Driver Education Instructor Development Course will be repealed as of June 1, 2023. The Texas Legislature passed House Bill (HB) 1560 during the 87th Texas Legislative Session and Governor Greg Abbott signed the bill on June 15, 2021.

Schools may continue to create and offer the driver education instructor development course and the supervising instructor development course but will not submit the courses to TDLR for approval after June 1, 2023.

Driver Education and Driver Safety Courses Must Include Information About Passing Certain Vehicles

May 13, 2022

House Bill 3319, 87th Legislative Session, requires that Driver Education and Driving Safety (DES) curricula include “Information Relating to Passing Certain Vehicles.” Effective Sept. 1, 2022, each driver education course or driving safety course must meet the requirements of Section 545.157, Transportation Code.

By September 1, 2022, each driver education school, parent taught course provider, and driving safety course provider is required to update their curricula andcomplete and submit this Statement of Assurance - Information Relating to Move Over Or Slow Down (PDF).

Driver Education and Driver Safety Courses Must Include Information Relating to Street Racing

May 13, 2022

House Bill 3212, 87th Legislative Session, requires that Driver Education and Driving Safety (DES) curricula include “Information Relating to Street Racing.” Effective September 1, 2021, each driver education course and driving safety course must meet the requirements of Section 545.420, Transportation Code.

By September 1, 2022, each driver education school, parent taught course provider, and driving safety course provider is required to update their curricula and complete and submit this Statement of Assurance - Information Relating to Street Racing (PDF).

Driver Education and Driver Safety Courses Must Include Information Relating to Human Trafficking Prevention

May 13, 2022

Senate Bill 1831, 87th Legislative Session, requires that Driver Education and Driving Safety (DES) curricula include “Information Relating to Human Trafficking Prevention” by September 1, 2022.

By September 1, 2022, each driver education school, parent taught course provider, and driving safety course provider is required to update their curricula and complete and submit this Statement of Assurance - Information Relating to Human Trafficking (PDF).

Beware Of People Posing As TDLR Inspectors

April 26, 2022

Inspectors for the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation will never request or accept money under any circumstances while calling, visiting or conducting an inspection.

Real TDLR inspectors will:

  • introduce themselves;
  • show their State of Texas employee ID card;
  • provide their contact information upon request; and
  • provide their TDLR business card upon request.

Real TDLR inspectors cannot and will not:

  • accept payment for license fees;
  • request money for violations; or
  • charge for inspections.

If someone posing as a TDLR employee approaches or calls you, please contact TDLR and law enforcement immediately. Impersonating a public servant is a third-degree felony in Texas.

Español| Tiếng Việt| 한국어| 中国人

Driving Safety Instructor License No Longer Required To Teach Driving Safety Courses

February 8, 2022

Effective September 1, 2021, a driving safety instructor license is no longer required to teach a driving safety course. The driving safety provider will make its own determinations as to eligibility and educational standards for prospective driving safety instructors.

House Bill (HB) 1560, which was passed during the 87th Texas Legislative Session, repealed the requirement for the driving safety instructor license. Section 5 of the bill addresses Driver Education and Traffic Safety.

As TDLR continues to implement the revisions of HB1560, we will continue to provide advance updates through TDLR’s social media channels, the Driver Education & Safety webpage, and through TDLR’s email notifications.

Please sign up for email updatesto be notified of any driving education or driving safety program updates.

Advisory Committee Meetings

Next Meeting - April 6, 2023

The next Driver Training and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held via videoconference and will be viewable on TDLR's YouTube channel. Sharing of pre-recorded audio or video is not allowed during the public comment period. The agenda and staff reports are available, they will be posted online.

Previous Meeting - January 23, 2023

The Driver Training and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee met January 23, 2023 via videoconference. The meeting was archived and is available on TDLR's YouTube channel. The agenda and staff reports are available online.