Welcome to Wharton County Driving Academy

Your student is officially enrolled in our Teen Driver Education Program. We look forward to helping them become a safe and confident driver.

This page will walk you through what to expect and the steps your teen must complete to obtain their driver license.

You may want to bookmark or save this page for future reference. This page includes important information about the class and the steps your teen must complete to obtain their driver license.

Texas Drivers Handbook 
Next Steps 

Please complete the following before your student begins the course.

  • All students must have the enrollment agreement signed by a parent or guardian before attending class. (Leave school representative signature block blank)

    After completing the contract, parents may either bring the signed document to the first day of class or email it to:

    jdean@whartoncountydrivingacademy.com

    If emailing the contract, please include the student’s name in the subject line so we can properly match it to the student’s enrollment.

  • Wharton County Driving Academy

    104 W Caney ST, Suite A

    Wharton, TX 77488

  • Students should arrive on time and ready to learn.

    Paper and pencils will be provided, so students do not need to bring any supplies.

    Students may bring cash if they would like to purchase snacks during class.

    Students must arrive sober and ready to learn. Students who arrive under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be dismissed from the program.

Sign Enrollment Contract

Steps to Get Your Teen’s Driver License

Step 1: Pass the Permit Test

Students will take their written permit test during the first week of class.

If the student passes the test, they will receive a certificate from our school that allows them to apply for their learner's permit

Step 2: Obtain the Learner's Permit

Parents must take the certificate provided by our school to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) along with:

• A VOE (Verification of Enrollment) from the student’s school
• Required identification documents

Once the learner’s permit is issued, students may begin scheduling their behind the wheel lessons.

Students may begin driving while they are still completing the classroom portion of the course as long as they have received their learner’s permit.

Behind the wheel lessons cannot take place during the student’s in-person classroom time. Driving lessons must be scheduled on different days or at times that do not conflict with class, if availability allows.

Step 3: Complete Behind the Wheel Training

The program includes 14 hours of behind the wheel training consisting of:

• 7 driving lessons
• 7 observation sessions

Students may complete a maximum of one drive and one observation per day.

Step 4: Complete Parent Practice Hours and the ITYD Program

Texas requires students to complete additional driving practice with a parent or guardian.

Students must complete:

• 30 hours of supervised driving
• 10 of those hours must be completed at night

Students must also complete the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITYD) program before taking the driving test.

Impact Tx Teen DRivers

Step 5: Hold the Permit for Six Months and Take the Driving Test

Students must hold their learner’s permit for at least six months before they are eligible to take the driving test.

Once the student has:

• Completed all driving lessons and observations
• Completed the required parent practice hours
• Completed the ITYD program
• Held the permit for six months

They may take the driving test and obtain their driver license.