TWC's Youth Driver Education Funding Program (program) helps eligible young people and their children get driver education and become licensed drivers. The program covers costs for “driver education that is required to obtain a Texas Driver License.” For adults ages 18-24, this is the six-hour Adult class. For teens, this can include the 32-hour Teen Class, the 14-hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and observation, and if needed, provision for a school vehicle and staff member for the 30 hours of practice.
Some Types of Driver Education that are Not Funded Through this Program:
- Driver Education Classes for Adults over age 24
- Behind-the-Wheel training for Adults (age 18 and older)
- Taking the Driver Test at the Driving School
Driving schools can join the program as vendors and support eligible youth and young adults in becoming safe drivers. This can also help them find jobs and transition successfully into adulthood.
Frequently Asked Questions
To join the program, eligible youth need to make sure their chosen driving school is registered with TWC. Once a school becomes a vendor, it gets listed on the TWC program web page. Applicants prepare and submit their application and eligibility verification directly to TWC. The youth should discuss with driving schools about the courses and services they need and their costs, all of which must be detailed in their application.
Program-approved driving schools will receive notice by email when a student is approved for funding. The email will contain the specific driver education class or training that the student is approved for (students cannot apply for, or be approved for, more than one driver education phase at one time). The student may register at this point, but student may not begin driver education before the following steps are made:
- Driving school emails student’s registration date to Program Staff
- Driving school emails the cost of the approved driver education class or training for program approval
After TWC program staff receives the above information, program staff will notify the school of cost approval (which is subject to funds available) and will then request an invoice from the driving school.
*Please note that because students will only apply for and be approved for one driver education service at a time, the program will not be able to fund driver education bundles or packages. When billing TWC, invoices will need to contain the cost of the single Driver Education class or training that was approved for the student.*
Providers must:
- Be registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Registration (TDLR) as a certified Texas Driving School
- Be a registered vendor with TWC by completing the TWC1020: Substitute W-9 and Direct Deposit Form. The form can be found here (in both English and Spanish) and should be submitted, along with a copy of the TDLR Driver Education Provider License, to DriverEducationProgram@twc.texas.gov.
Driving schools are encouraged to help participants complete the application accurately. Applicants need to specify the type of instruction or training they require, the amount of class and practice hours needed, and the cost of each service.
If you know a young person who might qualify for the program, please direct them to the TWC website. Once their application is approved, providers can assist them in meeting the requirements to get their license. If classes are starting soon, TWC will coordinate with the vendor to ensure prompt payment.
Once an applicant selects a driving school, the applicant must:
- complete the TWC Driver Education Funding Program application (coming soon!); and
- submit eligibility requirement forms.
The applicant should submit both by email to DriverEducationProgram@twc.texas.gov.
TWC staff will look at the forms and notify the applicant of their eligibility within five (5) business days by email. The driving school will also receive a copy of the email. TWC will handle the payment request for eligible applicants. If more services are needed, like more practice hours or extra in-car driving tests, the applicant will need to submit a new application.
If a participant does not finish the course or test paid for by this program, they must wait three (3) months before enrolling in a new course or test. However, participants can ask to waive this waiting period by sending a written explanation of why they couldn't attend or complete the course or test. They must show that the situation was beyond their control.
Note: This program does not cover fees that schools may charge for arriving late or no-shows. Also, the program will not pay school fees for not finishing the program within the stated time frame.
Driving schools must repay improper payments received or refunds due for driver education funded under TEC, Chapter 1001, in the following instances:
- Fraud committed by the driving school
- The provider was paid for driver education from another source
- The provider did not deliver driver education courses
- A refund is due under Texas Education Code, Chapter 1001, Subchapter I