A law was passed in 2021 (SB 2054) that lets eligible youth and young adults apply for their driver education fees to be paid from funds donated to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Many Texans have donated money to DPS for ID cards and driver licenses for youth in foster care or experiencing homelessness.
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will run the Driver Education Funding Program to help eligible youth and young adults access the funds for driver education costs.
There is now money available to pay for driver education and driver license testing for:
- Youth younger than 18 years old and currently residing in foster care
- Individuals at least 18 years old, but younger than 21, in extended foster care being paid for by the Department of Family and Protective Services
- Individuals who are younger than 26 years old and aged out of the Texas foster care system or have experienced homelessness
- Individuals who are younger than 26 years old and have experienced or are experiencing homelessness
- Individuals who experienced dating violence, or a child of someone who experienced dating violence
- Individuals who experienced family violence, or a child of someone who experienced family violence
The Youth Driver Education Funding Program pays for:
- driver education classes;
- behind-the-wheel training; and
- driver tests
To apply, complete the following steps:
- Visit the TWC Website here and scroll to the bottom of the page to “Resources”, to download the necessary forms.
- You will need to download:
- “List of TWC-Approved Driver Education Schools” to view a list of driving schools already enrolled in the program and choose a driving school.
- “Driver Education Application Instructions” to view detailed information about the application process. Your eligibility for this program must be verified by an authorized representative. This document provides information on who can verify your eligibility, as well as the necessary forms they must complete to verify your eligibility for the program for TWC.
- “Youth Driver Education Funding Program Application” and “Eligibility Verification Form”. After downloading these two forms, complete them and email to DriverEducationProgram@twc.texas.gov
This Texas Workforce Commission program started in July 2024. We’ve provided instructions here to complete your application, but you should still visit https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/driver-education-funding-program/information-driver-education-applicants to keep up to date with any changes to the forms and for more information about the program and application process.
Note: There are not many driving schools enrolled in the program yet. If you have another school in mind outside of those listed on the TWC website, the school can become a TWC vendor by following the instructions on this page: https://www.twc.texas.gov/programs/driver-education-funding-program/information-driver-education-schools. You, or the driving school, can also email DriverEducationProgram@twc.texas.gov for help registering the school as a vendor. For more information for interested driving schools, visit our page here.
Information provided by the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project (TFYJP) at Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. If you think you were wrongly denied driver education funding, you can contact TFYJP at 1-877-313-3688 or info@texasfosteryouth.org for guidance and possible free legal assistance.
Flyer below has also been developed by the Texas Foster Youth Justice Project to help youth and young adults understand this new program. Please feel free to share widely: TWC Driver Education Funding Program Flyer - For Applicants/ Youth 's Ed Updated 9-26