Free Program to Pay for Driver Education

There can be many barriers to getting a driver license for those who are in or who aged out of foster care. They may have trouble paying for the driver education course and the practice time with an instructor. Or they may not have a car with insurance to use to practice driving or for the driver test. A law passed in 2021 (SB 2054) helps youth currently in foster care and those who are aged out and are under 26 years of age, as well as homeless youth and young adults, pay for these expenses. The Texas Workforce Commission has money available to pay driving schools to help qualifying youth and young adults meet any requirement to become a licensed driver.

You can find the website for the Driver Education Funding Program here. On the website you will find the following forms and resources:

  • Youth Driver Education Application: this form must be filled out and emailed to DriverEducationProgram@twc.texas.gov.
  • Youth Driver Education Application Instructions: details that explain the information needed in the application and to verify that you are eligible for the program.
  • Eligibility Verification Form: this form is an option to verify your eligibility, but TWC prefers you submit a DFPS Form 2042 Foster Care Residency Verification or DFPS Form 4200 Foster Care Verification. You should submit proof of eligibility by email with your application.
  • TWC-Approved Driver Education Schools: a list of all driver education schools that are approved TWC vendors, which means they are already set up to receive payments from TWC for your driver education.

You should be notified whether you are approved for the program within five business days.

You should not make any prepayments to the driver education school – TWC will pay the school directly.