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News and Updates

Commission Adopts Rules

May 30, 2023

The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to existing rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 84, Subchapter A, §84.1 and §84.3; Subchapter B, §§84.31 - 84.33; Subchapter C, §84.47 and §84.48; Subchapter D, §§84.50-84.52; Subchapter G, §§84.80, 84.84, and 84.85; Subchapter I, §§84.100, 84.101, 84.103; Subchapter L, §84.400; Subchapter M, §§84.500 - 84.502, and 84.504; Subchapter N, §84.600 and §84.601; new rules at Subchapter A, §84.2; Subchapter B, §84.30; Subchapter C, §§84.40 - 84.46; Subchapter E, §§84.60, 84.61, and 84.63; Subchapter G, §§84.81 - 84.83; Subchapter H, §84.90; Subchapter J, §84.200; Subchapter K, §84.300 and §84.301; and the repeal of existing rules at Subchapter A, §84.2; Subchapter B, §84.30; Subchapter C, §§84.40 - 84.46; Subchapter E, §§84.60 - 84.64; Subchapter F, §§84.70 - 84.72; Subchapter G, §§84.81 - 84.83; Subchapter H, §84.90; Subchapter J, §84.200; Subchapter K, §§84.300 - 84.302; Subchapter M, §§84.503, 84.505-84.507, regarding the Driver Education and Safety (DES) program. 

The adopted rules implement House Bill (HB) 1560, Article 5, Regular Session (2021) and the Texas Education Code, Chapter 1001, Driver and Traffic Safety Education.  The adopted rules, pursuant to HB 1560, include: (1) clarification of DES license types, licensing prerequisites, means of course instruction delivery, and program fees; and (2) implementing the recommendations of the DES Providers/Instructors Workgroup (Workgroup), consistent with HB 1560, relating to the qualifications, responsibilities, and functions of those licensees.

The adoption justification was published in the May 26, 2023, issue of the Texas Register (48 TexReg 2702) and is available online.  The updated rule chapter will be available on the Secretary of State website upon its effective date of June 1, 2023.

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.

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.

Commission Adopts Rules

January 13, 2023

The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to existing rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 84, Subchapter I, §84.100 and §84.101; and the repeal of an existing rule at Subchapter I, §84.102, regarding the Driver Education Safety program. The adopted rules implement the portions of House Bill 1560, 87th Legislature, Regular Session (2021), requiring the Department to adopt a risk-based inspection policy. Notably, the adopted rules remove periodic inspections from the program.

The adoption justification was published in the January 6, 2023, issue of the Texas Register (48 TexReg 38) and is available online. The updated rule chapter will be available on the Secretary of State website upon its effective date of January 15, 2023.

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 provider to 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 Division with 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 updates to be notified of any driving education or driving safety program updates.

Commission Adopts Rules

June 27, 2022

The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted the repeal of an existing rule at 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 84, Subchapter B, §84.34, regarding the Driver Education and Safety program. The adopted repeal makes the necessary rule changes for the Driver Education and Safety program to align the program rules with the advisory board changes made by House Bill 1560, 87thLegislature, Regular Session (2021), the Sunset legislation for the Department.

The adoption justification was published in the June 24, 2022, issue of the Texas Register(47 TexReg 3669) and is available online. The updated rule chapter will be available on the Secretary of State websiteupon its effective date of July 1, 2022.

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.

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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.

Texans Can Apply to be a Volunteer Member of the Driver Training and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee

August 9, 2021

Texans interested in serving as volunteer members of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) Driver Training and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee have until September 15 to apply for one of nine slots on the committee. Members will serve staggered six-year terms.

HB 1560, TDLR’s Sunset legislation, dissolved the existing Driver Training & Traffic Safety Advisory Committee as of August 31, 2021, and created this new advisory committee, which will start meeting in early 2022.

The committee will provide technical knowledge and industry expertise to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation and TDLR, which regulates driver training education in Texas. One committee member will be a division head of the Texas Department of Public Safety Driver License Division or their designee.

Member vacancies include:

  • Three driver education providers;
  • Three driving safety providers;
  • One driver education instructor; and
  • One public member. The public member cannot have any association with the driver education profession.

Anyone interested in serving as a member of the committee can submit an application onlineor send an emailrequesting that an application be sent to them.

Members of the committee will not be compensated, and they must cover their own expenses if they need to travel to Austin as part of their duties. Legislation in the most recent session allows TDLR advisory boards and commissions to meet via videoconference, so any travel may be limited. All applications will be considered, and TDLR will contact applicants who were chosen to serve on the committee.

Updated Guidance for Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Individuals

May 24, 2021

The Texas Department of State Health Services has released the following Updated Guidance for Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Individuals. https://open.texas.gov/

Please note that business owners may choose to require additional safety protocols related to COVID-19 safety.

Governor’s Executive Order Regarding Masks and Business Capacity

March 5, 2021

The Governor’s Executive Order removes state-imposed restrictions on business capacity and masks. Effective Wednesday, March 10, there are no COVID-19 related operating limits for any business or other establishment.

Individuals are strongly encouragedto wear masks over the nose and mouth wherever it is not feasible to maintain six feet of social distancing from another person who does not live in the same household. (Please note that counties in trauma service regions with hospitalization rates above 15% for 7 days can implement other requirements.)

According to the Governor's executive order, nothing prevents businesses – including hair, esthetician and nail salons, lash salons, barber shops, barber or cosmetology schools, laser hair establishments or massage establishments – from requiring employees or customers to follow additional hygiene measures, including wearing a mask.

Driver Education schools may chooseto require employees or students to wear masks and to social distance.

The order also strongly encouragesall Texans to use good-faith efforts and available resources to follow the DSHS health recommendations.

Advisory Committee Meetings

April 6, 2023

The Driver Training and Traffic Safety Advisory Committee met April 6, 2023 via videoconference. The meeting was archived and is available on TDLR's YouTube channel. The agenda and staff reports are available online.

Additional Information

The Driver Education and Safety program at the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is comprised of the licensing and regulation of businesses known as Driver Education Schools, Parent Taught Driver Education programs, Driving Safety Course Providers, Driving Safety Schools and Instructors. Driver Education provides the basic skills and training required by law to provide the knowledge and hands-on experience to prepare people for their written and practical tests to operate a vehicle in Texas. Driving Safety Courses (sometimes known as 'defensive driving') are geared to improve a driver's knowledge, perception and attitude about driving. The Driving Safety Course Providers are required by law to offer curriculum that meets the standards required by law in Chapter 1001, Texas Education Code. TDLR's objective is to ensure that the schools, course providers, and instructors are qualified to develop and offer the courses and that the courses meet the required standards.

On September 1, 2015, the regulation of Driver Education Schools, Driving Safety Course Providers, Driving Safety Schools and Instructors under Chapter 1001, Texas Education Code, was transferred from TEA/ESC Region 13 to TDLR. This transfer is the result of the 84th Legislature enacting House Bill 1786 into law. In addition, the bill transferred the Parent Taught Driver Education program from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to TDLR. TDLR issues and renews licenses; issues certificates and certificate numbers; approves courses, providers, instructors and schools; accepts complaints; and responds to consumer and industry inquiries.

You may now submit complaints onlineregarding unlicensed activity or license violations in the Driver Education and Safety program.