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 classes, in-car lessons, road tests, and other fees needed to get a driver's license. 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.
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.
Once approved, TWC will send payment to the driving school within 30 days and notify both the applicant and the school of the approval. The driving school will confirm with TWC that the registration is complete. After approval and registration, the applicant can begin their driver education.
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; 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