FAQ's

To begin Parent-Taught Driver Education, parents must first register with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) and pay a $20 fee. After TDLR processes the payment, you’ll receive your Parent Taught Packet. Once your student obtains their learner’s license or permit, you can start the XLR8 Behind-the-Wheel Driver’s Education.

Who Can Be a Parent Instructor?

To qualify as a parent instructor:

• You must not have any convictions for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or criminally negligent homicide.

• You must have fewer than 6 points on your Texas Driver’s License.

Before requesting the Parent Taught Packet, it’s important to review your own criminal and driving record. TDLR and the Department of Public Safety do not verify your eligibility before issuing the packet—it’s your responsibility to make sure you qualify.

Students can begin the program after a parent has requested the Parent-Taught Driver Education Program Guide from the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

Once that’s complete, students should:

1. Log in at www.xlr8drivingschool.com

2. Click on Module 1 to begin

3. Work through the readings, activities, and quizzes

4. Students can download the DPS guide > https://www.dps.texas.gov/internetforms/forms/dl-7.pdf to prepare more for the test at the end of Module 1c!

✅ Program Guidelines

• Students may complete up to 3 modules (6 hours) per day

• “Check for Understanding” quizzes appear throughout each module to reinforce key concepts

• Quizzes are included at the end of Modules 1C–12

• The handbook test is located at the end of Module 1C

• Text-to-Speech is available on most slides

• Program includes extra white space and larger fonts to reduce visual overwhelm

• Students have up to 1 year to complete the entire program

⏱️ The course must take at least 6 calendar days to complete. No more than 3 modules may be done per day.

📘 Certificate & Testing

After completing Modules 1A, 1B, and 1C:

• Students may take the handbook test online with us

• A DE-964 certificate will be emailed by the next business day

• Students may take the certificate and the documents below to DPS to apply for their Learner’s License:

📝 What to Bring to DPS:

• DE-964 Certificate

• Certified copy of birth certificate

• Original Social Security card

• VOE form (Verification of Enrollment – available from school office)

• 2 Proofs of Residency (30–90 days old, with parent’s name – e.g., utility bill, insurance, CHL)

• Application fee

🚗 Behind-the-Wheel Practice

Once students receive their learner’s license:

• They may drive with a licensed adult (21+ years old, with 1+ year of driving experience)

• Parents will provide 14 hours of instruction during this period

• Behind-the-wheel lessons may begin immediately after the permit is issued

You’ll receive:

• A second DE-964 certificate after completing all classroom work and drive time logs

• Two printable booklets:

  • One with the XLR8 behind-the-wheel curriculum

  • One for tracking the required 30 hours of additional practice driving

    This log must be completed before the final drive test

Please notify us if your email address changes to ensure proper delivery of certificates.

Students must first complete the classroom-only portion of driver education through either a commercial driving school or a public high school program.

After finishing the classroom requirement, students should visit their local Department of Public Safety (DPS) to apply for their learner’s license (permit).

Once the permit is issued and classroom hours are completed, students are eligible to begin the XLR8 Behind-the-Wheel training.

📘 Instructional Materials & Certificate Information

When you enroll in the program, you'll receive access to two printable booklets:

• The XLR8 Behind-the-Wheel Curriculum and 14-hour log

• A supplemental 30-hour driving log, required by the state

Both documents must be completed and signed before your student is eligible to take their final driving test.

Once all requirements are met, a DE-964 Completion Certificate will be emailed to you.

📧 Be sure to notify XLR8 Driving School if your email address changes to avoid any delays in receiving your documents.

Teens: Program Duration and Drive Time Guidelines

The classroom portion of Teen Driver Education can be completed in as little as one week, but must be finished within one year of starting.
If a student exceeds the one-year limit, they’ll need to re-enroll and pay all applicable fees.

The parent-taught behind-the-wheel portion must take at least 44 calendar days to complete. Students can record:

• Up to 2 hours per day (including observation and practice driving)

• A maximum of 1 hour per day may be counted toward the 30-hour driving log

🔑 Our goal is to encourage frequent, real-world driving practice for teens—safely and consistently!

Adults: Timed Course Completion

Adults may complete the course in as little as 6 hours, but will have up to 30 days to finish all requirements online.
If more than a month passes without completion, the student will need to re-enroll and pay the standard course fees.

XLR8 Driver’s Education was developed by a Texas-certified educator with credentials in both Special and General Education, as well as certification as a Driver’s Education Supervising Teacher. With a Master’s degree in Education and experience as a school principal, the program’s creator designed XLR8 to provide a comprehensive, accessible, and supportive experience for both teen and adult drivers. Every lesson is built to flow smoothly and meet the needs of diverse learners across Texas.

Teens:

• Initial DE-964 (from XLR8 Driving School)
• Certified copy of student’s birth certificate
• Original Social Security Card
• VOE (Verification of Enrollment in school. You can request this form from your high school office)
• 2 Proofs for Residency (30-90 days old; ex: electric bill, water bill, insurance card, voter registration card, CHL). The bills should have the name of the parent taking them to the DPS to get their permit.
• Application Fee

Adults:

• Initial ADE-1317 (from Central Texas Driving School)
• Certified copy of student’s birth certificate
• Original Social Security Card
• 2 Proofs for Residency (30-90 days old; ex: electric bill, water bill, insurance card, voter registration card, CHL). The bills should have the name of the parent taking them to the DPS to get their permit.
• Application Fee

Teens must have their learner’s license for a minimum of 6 months and be at least 16 to get their license.  Adults can test for their licenses once they obtain their learner's license.  Everyone seeking a license may make an appointment at a licensed “Third Party Skills Test” provider or the DPS to take their driving test.  On the day of the appointment, they should have the following supplies:

Teens:

• Learners License/Permit
• DE-964 (second one that is emailed once your child has had the opportunity to complete the classroom portion of driver’s education)
• ITTD Certificate – students may watch the video at https://impacttexasdrivers.dps.texas.gov/

Adults:

• Learners License/Permit
• ADE - 1317
• ITTD Certificate – students may watch the video at https://impacttexasdrivers.dps.texas.gov/