Authorized DPS Road Tests & Online/Traditional Driver's Education Classes
TEEN DRIVER INFORMATION
Frequently asked questions about drivers education at CWDS
We provide high level driver education services to Keller & surrounding communities by offering Instructor led classroom sessions, online programs, drive lessons, authorized DPS road testing & other driver education services. CWDS was opened by Jim Tom & Diana Watkins Mills in 1989. Green Light Driver's Education Inc. purchased CWDS in 2025 & operates both Carroll Watkins Driving School & Green Light Driving.
- Some sections on this page are linked to Green Light Driving Academy's website
Where is CWDS LOCATED?
Location:
- 891 Keller Parkway #220a - Keller, TX 76248
- Intersection of Keller Parkway & Pate Orr Road
- office location: back side of the building -upstairs
To receive a drivers license, who is required to complete a driver education coursE?
- Any person who is age 14 to under 25 must complete a driver education course.
At what age can a person begin a driver education course at GLDA?
- Teens can begin driver education (classroom portion) at age 14.
- GLDA suggests students are at least 14 1/2 years old.)
what are teen DRIVERS EDUCATION course options?
- Enrolling in a class (traditional) instructor led- Mon-Thur - 2 hrs per day for 3 weeks. Class taught by CWDS/ GLDA instructor via ZOOM app with instructor led behind-the-wheel instruction.
- Online class - (self paced- no instructor ) with instructor led behind-the-wheel instruction.
- Parent Taught Driver Education program with GLDA.
- Complete driver education via a combination of GLDA's parent taught program & instructors at GLDA
WHAT IS THE COST OF DRIVER'S EDUCATION AT cwds?
- Program Options & Prices vary
- the button below will link to Green Light Driving Academy's webpage & will outline options & costs for both schools
What methods of payment does CWDS accept?
- Cash
- Personal Check
- Credit Card or Debit Card
- 3% convenience fee applied to ALL credit & debit card transactions
- Convenience fees are not refundable. NO EXCEPTIONS.
- Master Card, Visa & Discover cards only (NO AMERICAN EXPRESS)
How long is the teen driver education course?
TX Dept of Licensing & Regulation Requirements:
- Classroom phase - 24 hrs - cannot be completed in less than 12 days
- In-car phase - 7 hrs - behind-the-wheel driving, 7 hrs - observation - REQUIRED TO OBTAIN CLASS C DRIVERS LICENSE
- Students are incouraged to begin scheduling drive lesson with CWDS instructors once the learner's permit has been obtained.
- CWDS suggests scheduling 1 drive lesson per month to allow for ample practice. More than 1 lesson per month may be completed by students, BUT SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED.
- CWDS SUGGESTS THAT PARENTS ALLOW 6-8 MONTHS TO COMPLETE THE BEHIND-THE-WHEEL PORTION OF THE COURSE WITH CWDS INSTRUCTORS, ONCE THE STUDENT LEARNER'S PERMIT HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY CWDS OFFICE STAFF.
- An additional 30 hrs - behind-the-wheel driving - 10 hrs must be at night *** additional 30 hrs monitored by the parent or guardian - must be completed in the presence of an adult who holds a valid license, is 21 or older, has at least one year of driving experience ***
- CWDS SUGGESTS at LEAST 100 HOURS OF PRACTICE OR MORE FOR ALL STUDENTS (TEENS & ADULTS) to GAIN THE SKILLS & CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO BE SUCCESSFUL ON THE AUTHORIZED DPS ROAD TEST.
What are the timelines to complete a teen driver education course?
What are the timelines to complete a teen driver education course?
- CWDS's contract period is ONE (1) YEAR.
- Students must complete all instruction provided by GLDA instructors by the contract deadline. (ONE YEAR from the first day of classroom instruction for traditional zoom or receipt of the classroom code for the online course or enrollment date for drive only students)
When can my teen obtain a learner license (learner permit)?
- A student must be 15 years of age & complete the first 6 hrs of drivers ed class
When can my teen obtain a Provisional License?
After the teen student has:
- held the learner license for at least 6 months, (180 Days)
- turned 16 years old or older
- has completed all driver education hours (24 classroom and 44 driving hours),
- has taken the authorized DPS driving test (offered b CWDS in partnership with Green Light Driving Academy.
- upon successful completion of the authorized DPS driving test, the student will then be issued a driver license by DPS officials.
Testing with CWDS & GLDA allows teens to SKIP THE DPS COMPLETELY by allow us to submit the required documents via the third party testing program portal.
I don't want my teen to miss school to take the authorized DPS Road Test, can CWDS help us?
- YES!!!
- Teens can take the authorized DPS Road Test at one of our testing locations after school hours, on a school holiday or on a Saturday
- Once the student successfully completes the requirements, GLDA will submit the documents via our DPS portal
- The student can download the Class C Texas license with-in a few days.
Contact our testing center for details:
- Call - 817-410-8378
- Email our staff using the button below
Requirements for obtaining class c driver license (TeeN)
COMPARING BASIC & BUNDLED OPTIONS
Carroll Watkins Driving School can offer a program to meet the needs of every teen driver education student.
From our basic packages to our bundled offerings, CWDS is the correct road to a Class C Texas driver license.
BASIC OPTIONS
Bundling some of CWDS's most popular services helps parents save money, while teaching students the needed skills & defensive driving practices that will enable them to navigate our hectic driving environment.
BUNDLED OPTIONS
- PTDE = parent taught driver education
- CLASSROOM = state required, 24 hours of classroom instruction
- TRADITIONAL = zoom class/instructor led driving
- INSTRUCTOR LED = class taught by a GLDA instructor, live & interactive using ZOOM app.
- ONLINE = refers to self paced online class with no instructor (using IARR, Iamroadready.com)
- BTW = behind the wheel driving instruction only (14 hrs: 7 hrs BTW & 7 hrs observation)
- ST/PS = standard premier scheduling - GLDA staff schedules one (1) drive lesson per month
Bundled teen driver's ed options
BUNDLED - INSTRUCTOR LED CLASS & BTW
BUNDLED - INSTRUCTOR LED CLASS & BTW
Many families have taken advantage of the expertise that CWDS instructors share with students every day. Upon completion of the driver ed program, those students have obtained their Texas driver's license by testing with GLDA's authorized DPS Road Test Examiners. This bundle combines the above services with Standard Premier Drive Lesson scheduling and an authorized DPS Road Test. By bundling these CWDS/GLDA services, students gain valuable knowledge and parents cans save time and money at the same time.
BUNDLED PRICE = $725
This bundle package includes:
- CWDS Instructor Led Classroom* via Zoom app.. OR Online Classroom - self-paced via Iamroadready.com FULL PRICE = $300
- CWDS Instructor Led BTW* FULL PRICE = $500
- ST/PS - Standard Premier drive lesson scheduling - GLDA's staff will schedule the 7 drive lessons for the student - One (1) drive lesson per month - once the learner's license has been submitted to the GLDA office FULL PRICE = $200
- Authorized DPS Road Test administered by GLDA authorized DPS examiners a GLDA's testing locations FULL PRICE = $75
- IF PURCHASED SEPARATELY TOTAL FULL PRICE $1075
- BUNDLED PRICE = $725
*required by the State of Texas for a teen to obtain driver’s license.*
BUNDLED - PARENT TAUGHT - PTDE
BUNDLED - INSTRUCTOR LED CLASS & BTW
Parents may choose to teach their teen drivers education using a parent taught course. This can be a complicated & confusing process, especially if you don't know the driver's education "lingo". We are here to help you through this complicated process and by bundling with some of our services parents can save money and take advantage of CWDS/GLDA's knowledgeable office staff & instructors.
BUNDLED PRICE = $625
This bundle package includes:
- Classroom* - Parents choose from: Instructor Led classroom via Zoom app. OR Online self paced classroom provided by our industry affiliates at Iamroadready.com FULL PRICE = $300
- Parent Taught - BTW* instruction curriculum FULL PRICE = $100
- CWDS/GLDA instructor led BTW lessons. Two (2) lessons & One (1) Pre-Test lesson FULL PRICE = $325
- Authorized DPS Road Test administered by GLDA authorized DPS examiners at a GLDA's testing locations FULL PRICE = $75
- IF PURCHASED SEPARATELY TOTAL FULL PRICE $850
- BUNDLED PRICE = $625
- MUST PURCHASE “GUIDE” FROM TDLR ($20)
*required by the State of Texas for a teen to obtain driver’s license.*
BUNDLED - INSTRUCTOR LED-BTW (DRIVE ONLY)
BUNDLED - INSTRUCTOR LED-BTW (DRIVE ONLY)
Sometimes the need arises for students to take the behind the wheel portion of the course after completing the classroom either using a PTDE course or another driver's education school. This bundle package features the BTW with GLDA instructors paired with our time & money saving. BUNDLED PRICE = $695
This bundle package includes:
- GLDA Instructor LED BTW* - FULL PRICE = $500
- ST/PS - Standard Premier drive lesson scheduling - FULL PRICE = $200 GLDA's staff will schedule the 7 drive lessons for the student, once the learner's permit submitted to the GLDA office - One (1) drive lesson per month
- Pre-Test Lesson for authorized DPS Road Test - administered by GLDA authorized DPS examiners at a GLDA's testing locations - FULL PRICE = $175
- Authorized DPS Road Test administered by GLDA authorized DPS examiners at one of GLDA's testing locations FULL PRICE = $75
- IF PURCHASED SEPARATELY TOTAL FULL PRICE $950
- BUNDLED PRICE = $695
*required by the State of Texas for a teen to obtain driver’s license.*
BASIC teen driver's ed options
BASIC - INSTRUCTOR LED CLASS & BTW
(24 - Hrs Classroom Instruction*
2 options:
- Instructor Led Classroom via Zoom app.
- Online Classroom - self-paced via Iamroadready.com
14 Hrs In-car Instruction*
- 7 hrs BTW instruction
- 7 hrs observation
30 Hrs Practice at Home*
- documented with parent or another adult
Parent Orientation
- PDF emailed to parents: permit requirements, make-up classes, driving instructions & scheduling, license requirements & testing and insurance
Administration of Permit Tests*
- 3rd day of class - tests given
- 2nd week of class email sent to parents with detailed instructions on obtaining the learners permit &.DE-964 (for learner license)
Additional Services:
- Authorized Road Test
- test review/ preparation
- Authorized DPS Road Test at GLDA Information - (Link will direct you to Green Light Driving Academy website)
*required by the State of Texas for a teen to obtain driver’s license.*
BASIC - PARENT TAUGHT - PTDE
Parents may choose to teach their teen drivers education using a parent taught course. This can be a complicated & confusing process, especially if you don't know the "driver's education" lingo. We are here to help you through the process.
INSTRUCTOR LED CLASS via ZOOM CLASS & PTDE - BTW
- Parents choose CWDS's Instructor Led Classroom via Zoom combined with PTDE- BTW instruction.
- Students & parents can take advantage of the knowledge of CWDS's staff & experience, and still providing the flexibility of parent taught -BTW.
- COST $285
Traditional PTDE Options
- Online self paced classroom provided by our industry affiliates at Iamroadready.com. This option includes PTDE- BTW.
- COST - $100
PTDE - BTW Only (no classroom)
COST - $100
ALL ABOVE OTIONS: MUST PURCHASE “GUIDE” FROM TDLR ($20)
Additional Services:
- Authorized Road Test
- test review/ preparation
- Authorized DPS Road Test at GLDA Information - (Link will direct you to GLDA website)
BASIC - INSTRUCTOR LED-BTW (DRIVE ONLY)
BASIC - INSTRUCTOR LED-BTW (DRIVE ONLY)
Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Only
- 14 hrs in-car instruction
- 7 hours BTW instruction
- 7 hours observation
- parents/students receive a progress report and/or letter that details progress & outlining suggestions for parents at home BTW practice following each BTW lesson with CWDS instructor.
- classroom portion must be completed at home with parents via PTDE or another driver's ed school.
- classroom hours must be transferred to CWDS before final completion certificate can be issued.
- drive lessons with CWDS instructor,s MAY begin following:
- registration & payment
- submission of student learner's permit to CWDS staff members.
- classroom completion NOT required to begin driving instruction at CWDS
Additional Services:
- Authorized Road Test
- test review/ preparation
- Authorized DPS Road Test at GLDA Information - (Link will direct you to GLDA website)