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 Carroll Watkins Driving School (CWDS)
- Complete driver education via a combination of GLDA's parent taught program & instructors at CWDS.
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 (payable at CWDS -Keller office)
- Personal Check (not accepted for road test services)
- 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?
A teen driver's education course in Texas takes a minimum of 6 months to complete (depending on Age)
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
- 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 ***
Carroll Watkins Driving School Suggestions:
- 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.
- 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 contract period is ONE (1) YEAR.
- All instruction provided by CWDS instructors MUST the contract deadline. (ONE YEAR from the first day of classroom instructor-led instruction or receipt of the online classroom code 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.
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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
**Authorized DPS Road Test provided by Green Light Driving Academy in partnership with CWDS. **
teen driver's ed FULL PROGRAM options
Many families have taken advantage of the expertise that GLDA instructors share with students every day. Upon completion of the driver education program, students may be eligible to take the authorized DPS Road Test to obtained their Class C Texas driver's license by testing with
GLDA's authorized DPS Road Test Examiners.
TEST WITH US & SKIP THE DPS!
TEEN REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF
DRIVER'S EDUCATION IN TEXAS
- Classroom phase - 24 hours (learners permit obtainable after 1st 6 hours)
- In-car phase - 7 hours - behind-the-wheel driving, 7 hours - observation
- An additional 30 hours - 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
CLICK ON ONE OF THE OPTION BUTTONS BELOW TO GET STARTED TODAY!
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Classroom & Behind-the-wheel ONLINE or instructor LED -BUNDLE
Classroom & Behind-the-wheel ONLINE or instructor LED -BUNDLE
Classroom & Behind-the-wheel ONLINE or instructor LED -BUNDLE
BUNDLED PRICE = $725
This bundle package includes:
- GLDA Instructor Led Classroom* via Zoom app.. OR Online Classroom - self-paced FULL PRICE = $300
- GLDA Instructor Led - Behind-the-Whee* l FULL PRICE = $500
- 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 at a GLDA's testing locations FULL PRICE = $75
IF PURCHASED SEPARATELY TOTAL FULL PRICE $1075
BUNDLED PRICE = $725
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE
(ADDITIONAL FEE APPLIES)
- Required Document Submission via DPS Portal - SKIP THE DPS APPOINTMENT COMPLETELY! FULL PRICE = $50 - ASK ABOUT $25 DISCOUNT
- Pre-Test Lesson for authorized DPS Road Test - administered by GLDA authorized DPS examiners at a GLDA's testing locations - FULL PRICE = $175
- Additional Supplemental Lessons PRICE VARIES BASED ON NUMBER OF LESSONS
Authorized DPS Road Test at GLDA Information
*required by the State of Texas for a teen to obtain driver’s license.*
Classroom & Behind-the-wheel ONLINE or instructor LED - BASIC
Classroom & Behind-the-wheel ONLINE or instructor LED -BUNDLE
Classroom & Behind-the-wheel ONLINE or instructor LED -BUNDLE
BASIC PRICE = $525
This basic package includes:
- GLDA Instructor Led Classroom* via Zoom app. OR Online Classroom - self-paced FULL PRICE = $300
- GLDA Instructor Led - Behind-the-Whee* l FULL PRICE = $500
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE
(ADDITIONAL FEE APPLIES)
- 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 at a GLDA's testing locations FULL PRICE = $75
- Required Document Submission via DPS Portal - SKIP THE DPS APPOINTMENT COMPLETELY! FULL PRICE = $50 - ASK ABOUT $25 DISCOUNT
- Pre-Test Lesson for authorized DPS Road Test - administered by GLDA authorized DPS examiners at a GLDA's testing locations - FULL PRICE = $175
- Additional Supplemental Lessons PRICE VARIES BASED ON NUMBER OF LESSONS
Authorized DPS Road Test at GLDA Information
*required by the State of Texas for a teen to obtain driver’s license.*
MONEY SAVING DISCOUNTS
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BUNDLE & BASIC DISCOUNT -
ONLINE & INSTRUCTOR LED
At various times of the year, GLDA offers the both the bundled & basic,
instructor-led classroom & behind-the-wheel program for a discounted rate.
Discounts may have limited dates and/or some restrictions may apply.
START DATES FOR THE DISCOUNTED INSTRUCTOR-LED COURSE:
JULY 27- AUG 8 (2 WKS - M-SAT) - $50 OFF
AUG 17 - OCT 1 - $75 OFF
OCT 12 - OCT 29 - $50 OFF
START DATES FOR THE DISCOUNTED ONLINE COURSE:
JULY 27- ACCESS CODES EMAILED - JULY 23-25- $50 OFF
AUG 17 - ACCESS CODES EMAILED - AUG 13-15- $75 OFF
OCT 12 - ACCESS CODES EMAILED - OCT 8-10- $50 OFF
See above sections for full list of services included with these course offerings.
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE - ALSO LISTED IN ABOVE SECTIONS.
Discount prices reflected in the registration contract.
teen driver's BEHIND-THE-WHEEL (DRIVE ONLY) PROGRAM options
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 through another driver's education school. CWDS can offer basic behind-the-wheel instruction or has a bundle that provides instructor-led lessons combined with some of our other services.
TEEN REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION OF DRIVER'S EDUCATION IN TEXAS
- Classroom phase - 24 hours (learners permit obtainable after 1st 6 hours)
- In-car phase - 7 hours - behind-the-wheel driving, 7 hours - observation
- An additional 30 hours - 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
CLICK ON ONE OF THE OPTION BUTTONS BELOW TO GET STARTED TODAY!
BUNDLED - INSTRUCTOR LED-Behind-the-wheel (DRIVE ONLY)
BASIC - INSTRUCTOR LED - Behind - the - wheel (DRIVE ONLY)
BASIC - INSTRUCTOR LED - Behind - the - wheel (DRIVE ONLY)
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
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE
(ADDITIONAL FEE APPLIES)
- Document Submission for required documents to obtain driver's license FULL PRICE = $50 - ASK ABOUT $25 DISCOUNT
- Road Test Prep Lessons PRICE VARIES BASED ON NUMBER OF LESSONS
Authorized DPS Road Test at GLDA Information
*required by the State of Texas for a teen to obtain driver’s license.*
BASIC - INSTRUCTOR LED - Behind - the - wheel (DRIVE ONLY)
BASIC - INSTRUCTOR LED - Behind - the - wheel (DRIVE ONLY)
BASIC - INSTRUCTOR LED - Behind - the - wheel (DRIVE ONLY)
BASIC PRICE = $500
This basic package includes:
- 14 hrs in-car instruction *
- 7 hours BTW instruction *
- 7 hours observation *
- parents/students receive a progress report or that details progress & outlining suggestions for practice.
BASIC PRICE = $500
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE
(ADDITIONAL FEE APPLIES)
- 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 at a GLDA's testing locations FULL PRICE = $75
- Document Submission for required documents to obtain driver's license FULL PRICE = $50 - ASK ABOUT $25 DISCOUNT
- Road Test Prep Lessons PRICE VARIES BASED ON NUMBER OF LESSONS
Authorized DPS Road Test at GLDA Information
*required by the State of Texas for a teen to obtain driver’s license.*
BUNDLED - PARENT TAUGHT - PTDE
BUNDLED - PARENT TAUGHT - PTDE
BUNDLED - PARENT TAUGHT - PTDE
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
- GLDA instructor led BTW lessons. Two (2) lessons & One (1) Pre-Test lesson FULL PRICE = $375
- 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 $900
BUNDLED PRICE = $625
MUST PURCHASE “GUIDE” FROM TDLR ($20)
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE
(ADDITIONAL FEE APPLIES)
- Document Submission for required documents to obtain driver's license FULL PRICE = $50 - ASK ABOUT $25 DISCOUNT
- Road Test Prep Lessons PRICE VARIES BASED ON NUMBER OF LESSONS
Authorized DPS Road Test at GLDA Information
*required by the State of Texas for a teen to obtain driver’s license.*
BASIC - PARENT TAUGHT - PTDE
BUNDLED - PARENT TAUGHT - PTDE
BUNDLED - PARENT TAUGHT - PTDE
BASIC PRICE VARIES (SEE BELOW)
INSTRUCTOR LED CLASS via ZOOM CLASS & PTDE - BTW
- GLDA's Instructor Led Classroom via Zoom combined with PTDE- BTW instruction. Take advantage of the knowledge of GLDA's staff & experience, while still providing the flexibility of parent taught - BTW. - COST $285
Traditional PTDE Options
- Online - self paced classroom. This option includes PTDE- BTW
COST - $100
- PTDE - Behind-the-wheel Only (no classroom)
COST - $100
- MUST PURCHASE “GUIDE” FROM TDLR ($20)
ADDITIONAL SERVICES AVAILABLE
(ADDITIONAL FEE APPLIES)
- Authorized DPS Road Test* administered by GLDA authorized DPS examiners at a GLDA's testing locations FULL PRICE = $75
- Document Submission for required documents to obtain driver's license FULL PRICE = $50 - ASK ABOUT $25 DISCOUNT
- Road Test Prep Lessons PRICE VARIES BASED ON NUMBER OF LESSONS
Authorized DPS Road Test at GLDA Information
*required by the State of Texas for a teen to obtain driver’s license.*
Authorized DPS Road Tests
Flexible Scheduling AVAILABLE
AUTHORIZED DPS ROAD TEST
- $75 (test only)
- $25 (document submission via DPS Portal)
- $50 (if doc. submission is purchased after initial scheduling)
ALSO AVAILABLE:
- Supplemental Drive Lessons Packages that include the Authorized DPS Road Test.
- Document Submission- Skip the DPS Appointment
- Available in Keller, Roanoke, Saginaw, Grapevine & Boyd
Carroll Watkins Driving School partners with Green Light Driving Academy, an authorized 3rd party testing school, to provide the road test at multiple locations across the area.
Upon completion of the driver education course, students may complete the authorized DPS Road test with a GLDA examiner.
The benefit is that GLDA tests after school and in the evenings and on the weekends.
Typical DPS office are only open M-F 8am-5pm.
CLICKING ON THE BUTTON BELOW DIRECTS TO
GREEN LIGHT DRIVING ACADEMY - ROAD TESTING PAGE