How Do I Teach Driver's Education to my Child?

Young driver driving with adult

Parent-Taught Driver's Education

Parent-taught driver education was created and authorized by the Iowa legislature for parents that wish to teach driver education to their own children. Get answers to your frequently asked questions on parent-taught driver education.

There are five simple steps to meet the requirements.

1

Verify Eligibility - Teaching Parent Self Check

Check the requirements for both students and teaching parents before proceeding, as not every family member may qualify for the parent-taught program.

Student Requirements

  • Possess a valid instruction permit.
  • Age 14-21.
  • In legal custody and control of teaching parent.
  • Currently attending public school, accredited nonpublic school or receiving homeschool education under chapter 299A.

Parent Requirements

  • Must be parent, guardian or legal custodian of student.
  • Possess a valid Iowa driver's license, other than a motorized bicycle license or a temporary restricted license.
  • Must have a clear driving record for the previous two years which means the individual has not been identified as a candidate for suspension or revocation of a driver’s license under the habitual violator or habitual offender provisions of the department’s regulations; is not subject to a driver’s license suspension, revocation, denial, cancellation, disqualification, or bar; and has no record of a conviction for a moving traffic violation determined to be the cause of a motor vehicle accident.

View your driving record to ensure you meet the requirements.

Check your driving record
2

Complete Course Requirements

The student will need to complete one of the approved courses listed below and 30 hours of street or highway driving, including 3 hours dedicated to night driving. Coursework and driving may begin at the same time.

Approved Courses

The following course providers have been pre-approved by the Iowa DOT. You will be required to purchase the course material directly from the course provider.

Driving Log

Document 30 hours of street or highway driving instruction, with 3 hours dedicated to night driving between sunset and sunrise, recording the dates and times of each lesson conducted.

Below are some examples of tools you can use to log your student's driving:

  • Iowa DOT Driving Log
  • Parent Supervised Log
  • Road Ready App - Please note: The Road Ready app driving log may round up the driving time. Parents are responsible to review the driving log hours to ensure the student has conducted a full 30 hours of driving time with 3 hours of nighttime driving.

Driving logs must include:

  • Date, including month, day and year.
  • Specific driving skills covered during each driving session.
  • Notations of deficiencies and improvements during driving instruction.
  • Time the skilled covered was started and completed.
  • Total drive time per row.
  • Number of hours of night driving.

Download a sample completed driving log

Sample completed driving log
3

Submit Applications & Documents

After the course and behind-the-wheel instruction are complete, the parent must submit the online Application for Parent-Taught Driver Education to the Iowa DOT. 

The following items must be uploaded with every submitted completion:

  • Student completion certificate or final grade report as supplied by the course provider. View a sample course completion. (The sample includes completion certificates/report samples for all course providers. You may need to scroll to find the sample of the course provider you chose.)
  • Copy of a completed driving log.

Please review your log carefully and make sure it is similar to the sample below.

Most applications are denied due to missing or incomplete log entries.

Sample completed driving log
Submit application and documents
4

Receive Letter of Completion

Once we review your application/documents and ensure all the requirements have been met, we will email you the Parent-Taught Letter of Completion. You will need this letter of completion before you can schedule the driving test.

See a sample letter of completion
5

Schedule a Driving Test

After receiving the approval letter for the completion, the student MUST pass a driving test with the Iowa DMV before obtaining driving privileges. The student and parent may schedule their driving test at any Iowa DMV location. Be sure to bring the following items to your appointment:

  • Proof of insurance (required for the driving test).
  • Student’s valid instruction permit.
  • If the parent does not accompany the minor to the driver’s license site, the student must bring a parental consent form.
  • Optional: Minor School License completed affidavit if obtaining a Minor School License.
  • $8 for required license fees.
Prepare for your driving test Schedule a driving test
6

Questions?

For questions about parent-taught driver education, get in touch. Parent-taught Driver Education Question/Comment Form.

Fill out our parent-taught driver education comment form