Behind the Wheel Instruction

Once the student has obtained the learner license, you’re ready to begin driving instruction!

All parent-taught courses require 14 hours of in-car instruction and 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice for a total of 44 hours.

Instruction Limitations

A student cannot receive credit for more than two hours per day of instruction, including both classroom and in-car instruction.

Students are limited to one hour per-day of in-car driving instruction, and the 44 hours of driving cannot be completed in fewer than 44 calendar days.

Texas Driver Handbook

All driver education students must have access to a current edition of the Texas Driver Handbook. This publication is now available online only.

• Texas Driver Handbook - English (PDF)
• Texas Driver Handbook - Spanish (PDF)

Practice Hours Log

Students and parent-instructors must complete a special log for the 30-hours of behind-the-wheel practice.

• Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Log 30 Hours (PDF)
• Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Guide 30 Hours (PDF)

At least 10 hours of behind-the-wheel practice must occur at night. The behind-the wheel practice may be taught by any individual, 21 years of age or older and has been licensed for at least a year, but are required to be certified by a parent or guardian.

The 14 hours of in-car instruction are typically not logged by the parent-instructor. Some parent-taught courses may include a log for the parent to record these hours, but most courses do not require it.