How Parent-Taught Driving Works With a Texas Learner's Permit

What you can and cannot do with a parent-taught learner's permit in Texas

A parent-taught learner's permit in Texas lets you practice driving with a parent or guardian instead of paying for a professional driving school. You still get the same permit — the difference is who supervises your practice hours and who signs off that you are ready for the road test.

Texas does not require you to take a classroom course or behind-the-wheel instruction from a licensed driving school to get your learner's permit. You can study the driver's handbook on your own, pass the written test at the Department of Public Safety (DPS), and then log your practice hours with a parent or guardian who meets Texas requirements. When you have completed the required hours, your parent signs a form confirming you are ready, and you schedule your road test.

The trade-off is responsibility: your parent becomes the person certifying that you have practiced enough and driven safely. If you cause an accident or get a ticket while practicing, your parent's insurance and driving record can be affected, and your parent may face liability.

Key Takeaways

A parent-taught permit requires you to log 32 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) with a parent or guardian who holds a valid driver's license and is at least 21 years old.
Your parent must sign the Affidavit of Supervised Driving form (DPS Form DL-44) confirming you completed the hours before you can take the road test.
You must be at least 15 years old to get a learner's permit in Texas, and you must hold it for a minimum of 6 months before taking the road test.
Restrictions on a learner's permit include no driving alone, no driving between midnight and 5 a.m., and no use of a cell phone while driving.
Your parent is responsible for ensuring you follow all permit restrictions and can be held liable if you cause an accident or violate traffic laws while driving.

Who can supervise your driving practice

Your supervising driver must hold a valid driver's license from any U.S. state or Canadian province and be at least 21 years old. They do not have to be your biological parent — a legal guardian, stepparent, or other adult with custody counts. They must be physically able to exercise control over the vehicle if needed, which means they cannot be impaired, distracted, or unable to reach the pedals or steering wheel.

The same person does not have to supervise every hour. You can practice with different parents, guardians, or other licensed adults who meet the age and license requirements. However, only one person will sign the final affidavit confirming your hours, so that person should be involved in enough of your practice to honestly attest to your progress.

How many hours you need and what counts

Texas requires 32 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of those hours occurring between sunset and sunrise. The remaining 22 hours can be driven at any time of day. These hours must be logged in a driving record that you keep — Texas does not provide an official log form, but you can use any written record that shows the date, time, location, and conditions of each practice session.

Hours count only when you are actively driving the vehicle with a licensed adult in the front passenger seat. Sitting in a parking lot, waiting in traffic, or having your parent drive while you observe does not count. Night hours are those between sunset and sunrise in your location on the date you drive — you do not need to drive between midnight and 5 a.m. specifically, just during the dark hours.

Keep your driving log organized and accurate. When you are ready to take the road test, you will need to show it to the DPS examiner, and your parent will need to reference it when signing the affidavit. If your log is vague or incomplete, the DPS may ask you to log additional hours before scheduling the test.

The affidavit your parent must sign

Before you can take the road test, your parent or guardian must sign the Affidavit of Supervised Driving (DPS Form DL-44). This form states that you have completed the required 32 hours of supervised driving, including the 10 nighttime hours, and that you are ready to take the road test. Your parent is swearing under penalty of perjury that this is true.

You can read Form DL-44 from the Texas DPS website or pick up a copy at any DPS office. Fill in your information, your parent's information, and the dates and hours of your practice. Your parent must sign it in front of a notary public — you cannot notarize it yourself. Many banks, title companies, and DPS offices offer notary services for free or a small fee.

Bring the signed and notarized affidavit with you when you schedule your road test. If the form is incomplete, unsigned, or not notarized, the DPS will not let you test and will ask you to return with a corrected copy.

Restrictions while you hold a learner's permit

A parent-taught learner's permit comes with the same restrictions as any other Texas learner's permit. You cannot drive alone — a licensed adult must be in the front passenger seat at all times. You cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m., even with a supervising driver. You cannot use a cell phone, text, or access social media while driving, even hands-free.

You also cannot tow a trailer, carry passengers under 21 (except family members), or drive on a limited-access highway without a licensed driver in the vehicle. If you are under 18, you must wear a seat belt, and all passengers must wear seat belts. Violating these restrictions can result in a ticket, and your parent may be cited for allowing you to drive unsafely.

How long you must hold the permit before testing

You must hold your learner's permit for a minimum of 6 months before you can take the road test, regardless of how many hours you have logged. This waiting period applies whether you are parent-taught or took a professional driving course. If you turn 18 before the 6 months are up, you can still take the test once the 6 months have passed — the permit does not expire at 18.

If you receive a traffic violation or are involved in an accident while holding the permit, the DPS may extend the waiting period or require additional supervised hours before you can test. Keep your driving record clean during this time.

What happens if your parent cannot supervise all your hours

If your parent becomes unable to supervise — due to illness, work, or other reasons — you have options. Another licensed adult who meets the age and license requirements can take over supervising your remaining hours. You can switch supervisors mid-way through your practice without restarting the clock.

However, only one person can sign the final affidavit. That person should have supervised enough of your driving to honestly attest to your readiness. If you have logged hours with multiple supervisors, choose the one who spent the most time with you or who knows your driving best to sign the form. The DPS does not require the affidavit signer to have supervised every single hour, but they should be able to speak to your overall progress if asked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a parent-taught permit if my parent does not have a driver's license?

No. Your supervising driver must hold a valid driver's license from any U.S. state or Canadian province. If your parent does not have a license, another adult who meets the requirements — a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or family friend — can supervise your hours instead.

What if I do not have a notary public available to sign my affidavit?

Many DPS offices, banks, title companies, and some libraries offer notary services. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether there is a fee. Some notaries are free for customers; others charge $5 to $15. You can also search "notary public near me" online to find options in your area.

Do the 10 nighttime hours have to be between midnight and 5 a.m.?

No. Nighttime hours are any hours between sunset and sunrise in your location on the date you drive. You can drive at 6 p.m., 8 p.m., or 10 p.m. and count those as night hours. You do not need to drive in the middle of the night.

What happens if I get a ticket while practicing with my learner's permit?

You will receive a citation, and your parent may be cited as well for allowing you to violate traffic laws. The ticket goes on your driving record and can affect your insurance rates. You should still be able to take the road test once the 6-month waiting period is complete, but the DPS may require additional supervised hours if the violation was serious.

Can I log hours if I am driving in another state?

Yes. Hours logged in any state count toward your Texas learner's permit requirement, as long as you are supervised by a licensed adult who meets Texas requirements. The restrictions on your Texas permit still explore — you cannot drive alone or between midnight and 5 a.m., even if you are out of state.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.