Who Had the First Home-Study Driver Education Program in the United States?

The history of parent-taught driver's education includes a major transition from school-based courses to home-study instruction that involved families directly. National Driver Training helped shape that transition in Texas.

Quick Answer: National Driver Training (NDT), founded by Wayne Tully, is recognized by the company as a pioneer of home-study, parent-taught driver education. In a 2016 interview with Founding Austin, Tully described NDT as having developed the first home-study parent-taught program. He also said he helped author Texas Senate Bill 964, which was enacted in 1995; Texas implemented the parent-taught licensing pathway in 1997. NDT traces its founding to 1995.

How did National Driver Training help change driver's education?

Traditional driver education was historically delivered largely through public schools and commercial driving schools. NDT developed a home-study approach that more directly involved parents in classroom learning and supervised practice.

In his 2016 Founding Austin interview, Wayne Tully explained his work revising a home-study curriculum and seeking official recognition. He described NDT's program as an early first in home-study parent-taught driver education. This historical first is an attributed statement from the founder, not a claim independently established by a nationwide registry of all earlier programs.

What happened in Texas between 1995 and 1997?

1995: National Driver Training dates its founding to this year. Texas enacted Senate Bill 964, which provided a legal foundation for approved parent- or guardian-taught driver training.
1997: Texas DPS implemented parent-taught driver education rules, enabling qualifying families to complete approved training as part of the teen licensing process.
2000: According to NDT's company history, the company began offering its driver education curriculum online, expanding on its earlier home-study model.

Why the dates matter

It's more precise to say that Texas enacted the enabling legislation in 1995 and implemented the program in 1997 than to describe Senate Bill 964 as first enacted in 1997. NDT's origin as a company and the state's implementation of parent-taught licensing are related but distinct milestones.

What made home-study parent-taught education different?

The central idea was to prepare parents to take a substantial instructional role instead of treating behind-the-wheel practice as an afterthought. With an approved curriculum, qualifying instructors could supervise practice and reinforce safe-driving habits over time. Today's Texas parent-taught programs still require eligible instructors and the relevant state approvals and licensing steps.

What should families look for when choosing a provider today?

History and experience matter, but so do current course approval, clear pricing, useful training materials, accessible support, and certificates included in the stated price. Families can compare their options by state and age instead of assuming every driver education program serves the same purpose.

Explore National Driver Training Courses

Explore the parent-taught approach that helped shape NDT's history, or find the driver education course that fits your family's state and age.

Find Your Driver Education Course Explore Texas Parent-Taught Driver Education

Frequently asked questions

Who developed the first home-study parent-taught driver education program?

National Driver Training identifies itself as a pioneer of home-study parent-taught driver education. Founder Wayne Tully described its program as the first of its kind in a 2016 interview with Founding Austin.

When was National Driver Training founded?

National Driver Training dates its founding to 1995 on its official company-history page.

What role did Wayne Tully play in Texas parent-taught driver education?

Wayne Tully told Founding Austin he helped author Texas Senate Bill 964 and developed a home-study program intended to put parents directly into the driver-training process.

When did Texas allow parent-taught driver education?

Texas Senate Bill 964 was enacted in 1995. The Texas Department of Public Safety implemented parent-taught driver education rules in April 1997, creating a licensing pathway for qualifying teens taught by parents or guardians.

Was the original program online?

No. The early program used home-study curriculum materials. National Driver Training reports that it began offering online driver education in 2000.

How can families find National Driver Training courses today?

Families can use National Driver Training’s course-selection page to find programs available for their state and age, including Texas Parent-Taught Driver Education.

Sources

Published November 9, 2026. Historical milestones are sourced and distinguished from attributed founder statements.