Impact Texas Teen Driver Program
Recent studies have shown that new drivers who completed a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program have a lower fatality rate regarding vehicle accidents than those who do not. This had prompted states across America to introduce and implement new steps into their driving program.
Texas is no exception and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) introduced Impact Texas Teen Driver (ITTD), a program all aspiring Texas teens must complete in order to become a licensed drivers.
About Impact Texas Teen Driver
Impact Texas Teen Driver, or ITTD, is a two hour program broken into eight different segments. The program will focus on the dangers of distracted driving with a strong emphasis on texting while driving. The program's aim is, of course, to reduce distracted driver in teenage drivers.
Who needs to take Impact Texas Teen Driver Course
As of September 1st, 2015 any teen 16 to 17 years old must complete the ITTD course before he or she can take a driver's skill test at a local Third Party Skill Testing (TPST) location. Those younger than 16 cannot receive a Texas driver's license yet and should not take this course.
Aspiring drivers 18 years and older do not need to take the ITTD program if they have completed an Adult Driver Education Couse. This includes receiving your ADE-1317, which will be issued after a successful completion of a Texas Adult Driver Education course.
When Aspiring Texas Drivers should take the ITTD Program
Students who have completed their 32 hour Teen Driver Education Course - which ITTD program does not replace - and their 44 hours of behind-the-wheel-training should take the ITTD course.
The certificate earned for completing the ITTD program is only valid for 90 days. In order to take the skills test at a local TPST, a student must have a valid ITTD certificate. This means students should not take the ITTD program unless they plan to take the driver's skill exam within 90 days.
For more information on the Texas driver's test and the path to getting a Texas Driver's License, go here.
The Cost of Impact Texas Teen Driver
Lucky for aspiring Texas drivers, this course costs absolutely nothing and is provided for free. Once a student completes the course, ITTD will email a certificate to them. Students can take the course here.