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Every state sets its own driver's ed rules, and a few give homeschool families a parent-taught route. Here's what counts in the states our sister site covers.
Rules checked September 2026 on each state's licensing agency site.
Our sister site, Drivers Ed Shortlist, ranks every state-approved online course for your teen, with prices checked on each provider's own site.
Find a driver's ed courseA parent can teach the whole course. The teen takes the classroom part online through a parent-taught course, the parent does the in-car lessons, and the family pays a $20 state fee to authorize the parent as instructor.
Texas rules, prices and approved courses · Every approved Texas parent-taught course
Homeschooled teens get their own route: the classroom part can be an online correspondence course approved by the Virginia Department of Education, and a parent can teach the in-car part after DMV authorization (form HS-1). Teens who aren't homeschooled must go through a Virginia driving school instead.
Virginia rules, prices and approved courses · Approved Virginia courses for homeschoolers
Under Joshua's Law, teens take a 30-hour course (online counts), then either 6 hours with a certified instructor or 40 hours with a parent using the state's Parent/Teen Driving Guide.
Georgia rules, prices and approved courses
The 24 classroom hours can be done online, but the 8 behind-the-wheel hours must be with a licensed driving instructor.
Ohio rules, prices and approved courses
The 30-hour classroom part can be done online; the 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training must be with a licensed driving school.
California rules, prices and approved courses
Teens under 18 take a 6-hour online course (DETS). There's no parent-taught course, but parents supervise the 50 practice hours.
Florida rules, prices and approved courses
From January 1, 2027, every 15–17-year-old needs a 30-hour course (online counts) before the permit, plus 6 hours with a professional instructor.
Colorado rules, prices and approved courses
Drivers Ed Shortlist covers these seven states so far. Elsewhere, check your state's DMV or licensing agency; the rules for homeschooled teens differ from state to state.
Drivers Ed Shortlist is made by the same team as Homeschool Shortlist and works the same way: courses are checked against each state's official approved list where one exists, and rankings come only from your answers, never from payments.