Need to take a driver’s ed course in Dallas, Texas? As a former driving instructor, I decided to create this page covering Dallas driver’s ed reviews and comparisons. I’d also like to provide you with my advice on how to complete your Dallas driver’s ed training in the safest, fastest, and cheapest way possible. The state of Texas offers some unique options for you to complete your driver’s ed requirements, so before you can even choose the best Dallas driver’s ed course, you have to decide how you’re going to fulfill the state requirements to obtain your driver’s license.
Before I get into my specific Dallas driver’s ed reviews, I will now go over the 4 different ways you can complete your driver’s ed course requirements in Dallas.
Option 1: Signing Up For Parent Taught Driver’s Ed In Dallas
The state of Texas is one of the few states that offers a “parent taught” option for driver’s ed. Think of this as a homeschool option, where a parent or guardian is able to be your driving instructor.
In order for your parent or guardian to act as your driving instructor, they must meet the following criteria:
- The instructor must be the student’s parent, step-parent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian appointed by a court.
- Is at least 25 years old
- Does not charge a fee for conducting the course
- Has at least seven years of driving experience
- Must have a valid driver license for the prior three years
In addition to those requirements, PTDE instructors cannot have a conviction of criminally negligent homicide, a conviction of driving while intoxicated in the last seven years, had their driver license suspended, revoked or forfeited for traffic-related violations in the past three years, or six or more points assigned to their driver license.
Provided they meet all of the requirements, here are the additional steps that should be taken:
- Sign up for a Texas state-approved online driver’s ed course like this one. This is how you will complete the “classroom” portion of your driver’s ed requirements. Perform this step first so you can obtain your learner’s license by the time your parent or guardian has been approved as your driving instructor. You must obtain your learner’s license before you are allowed to start driving instruction. As you are going through the course, your parent or guardian can start working on that step.
- Whoever you want to be your driving instructor will need to pay the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation $20 for a required Parent Taught Driver’s Ed Guide. This guide is downloadable.
- Continue completing the 32 hours of your “classroom” training using your online driver’s ed coursework. This material must be completed over a minimum of 16 days. You can check out my top recommended Parent Taught online driver’s ed programs here.
- Complete a total of 44 hours of in-car driving instruction. This should include 7 hours of observation time, seven hours of instruction time, and 30 hours of additional driving practice with 10 of those hours being done at night. These instruction hours must not be completed in fewer than 44 days, and you may only complete up to 1 hour of these requirements per day.
- Once you’ve met the minimum requirements and feel ready, schedule a driving test at your local licensing center.
That’s it! By using the Parent Taught Driver’s Ed option, you will never have to step foot inside a Dallas driver’s ed school or attend a single classroom. This unique option has become one of the most popular options for driver’s ed students in Texas.
Option 2: Traditional Driver’s Ed In Dallas
Traditional driver’s ed is what most of us old farts are used to. With this option, you complete your classroom requirements and behind-the-wheel training requirements with a local driver’s ed course in Dallas.
With this option, you’ll complete a total of 32 actual classroom training hours with an instructor, then you will complete 14 more hours of behind-the-wheel driving with a state certified driving instructor. After that, you can complete another 30 hours of driving practice with someone who is over the age of 21.
While parent taught driver’s ed is often more convenient and a cheaper option, many driver’s ed students prefer having a real instructor in a real classroom and for their initial behind-the-wheel training. If you feel that way, this is likely a good solution for you.
12250 Inwood Rd. Ste 700-1
Dallas, Texas 75244
972-385-8770
Read my review of All-Star Driving School here
Sears Driving School
3450 West Camp Wisdom Road (Southwest Center Mall – Sears)
Dallas, Texas 75237
817-856-2000
Read my review of Sears Driving School here
Parish Episcopal School
4101 Sigma Road
Dallas, Texas 75244
972-852-8796
Bishop Lynch High School
9750 Ferguson Road
Dallas, Texas 75228
214-324-3607
Secure Lane Driving School, LLC.
9451 LBJ Freeway Ste 209
Dallas, Texas 75243
214-868-9155
Hanin Driving School
2000 Royal Lane Ste 200 A
Dallas, Texas 75229
469-939-5825
Omega Driving School (No Website)
2105 S. Edgefield Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75224
214-942-4772
Jesuit College Preparatory School Of Dallas, Inc.
12345 Inwood Road
Dallas, Texas 75244
972-387-8700
Golden Wheels Driving Academy (No Website)
2004 South 2nd Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75203
214-489-9090
A warning about using local Dallas driver’s ed schools: As a former driving instructor, I love when people promote local driving schools owned by small business owners. However, please be aware that scheduling driving time with local Dallas driver’s ed instructors can be a challenge. This is especially true during summer months or after school hours. Please be patient and understand that booking an instructor may be a challenge, so expect the licensing process to take a little bit longer.
Option 3: Online Driver’s Ed With A Behind-The-Wheel Driving Instructor
So, let’s say you’re not too excited about the Parent Taught Driver’s Ed option, but you also don’t want to sit in a classroom for 32 hours. You might like what I call the “hybrid option”. With this option, you can take an online driver’s ed course to complete your classroom hours online, then sign up for instructor based training to complete 14 hours of driving instruction with a certified Texas driving instructor. After that, you will drive another 30 hours of behind-the-wheel practice with someone who is over the age of 21.
This is a fantastic option for students who still want to complete their driver’s ed requirements online, but also want professional instruction when they first start to drive. After the initial instruction hours, all other practice hours can be done with anyone over 21 years old.
If you do decide to go with this option, I recommend you use an online driver’s ed provider that also operates their own behind-the-wheel training programs. Generally, you can sign up for a package deal to save a few bucks.
Option 4: Dallas Driver’s Ed In Public Schools
If you’re reading this article, chances are your school either doesn’t provide an online driver’s ed program or for whatever reason, you don’t want to or can’t take that course. However, many public schools offer driver’s ed in Dallas and some of these schools open up their programs to those who are homeschooled or have no other options. If you don’t have the funds to sign up for an online or Dallas driver’s ed school, consider contacting your local school districts to see if that would be an option.
Some Final Thoughts About Taking Dallas Driver’s Ed
Taking driver’s ed in the state of Texas has never been better. You have more options available to you than ever before. While there really is no right or wrong way to take driver’s ed in Dallas, I usually try to advise students and parents to use the parent taught driver’s ed option or the hybrid option where a student takes online driver’s ed but also gets time with a legit driving instructor. I also highly recommend this online driver’s ed course if you do decide to take your classroom hours online.
Best of luck as you begin this exciting new chapter in your life, and please remember to drive safely!
Additional Articles You Might Enjoy
- My Updated Texas Online Driver’s Ed Reviews
- 5 Tips For Passing Your Driving Test The First Time
- 20 Of My Top Defensive Driving Tips
- Driving Tips Just For Teens
- Driving Tips Just For Parents