Ellis County, Texas Online Driver's Ed

Parent-Taught Driver Education can be a practical option for an eligible teen family that wants the parent or another qualifying instructor to handle the required driving instruction under the Texas PTDE program.

TDLR requires families to begin with the PTDE Guide. The current TDLR guide explains that the program has the same education and driving requirements as driver education provided through a licensed driver education school or public school. Families must purchase the guide from TDLR and then obtain a PTDE course from an approved provider.

For the classroom portion, families can choose between the Concurrent Method and Block Method. Under the Concurrent Method, the teen completes the first 6 hours before getting a learner license. Under the Block Method, all 32 classroom hours are completed before the learner license.

The classroom course is only one part of the process. PTDE students must also complete the applicable in-car instruction and supervised driving requirements. TDLR's current enforcement information identifies 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and 7 hours of observation instruction as part of the minor driver education requirements.

Families should also plan for the Impact Texas Teen Drivers program before the skills examination. ITTD is a separate, free program and its certificate must be within the required 90-day period for the skills test.

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The Block Method is different from PTDE because the student completes the classroom portion through a driver education provider instead of placing the parent in charge of the entire PTDE process.

Current TDLR enforcement guidance requires at least:

• 32 hours of classroom instruction
• 7 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction
• 7 hours of observation instruction

The teen also needs additional supervised driving practice.

For the Block Method, the classroom portion is completed before the learner license is obtained. TDLR's current PTDE guide confirms that all 32 classroom hours are completed before the learner license under the Block Method.

After obtaining the learner license, the student continues the required driving practice and in-car education. DPS requires a learner license to be held for at least six months before a teen can move to the provisional-license stage. The provisional process also requires completion of the applicable behind-the-wheel education and supervised driving.

For the supervised driving portion, DPS identifies 30 hours of practice, including at least 10 hours at night, as part of the teen licensing requirements.

The ITTD program must be completed after the required behind-the-wheel education and before the driving skills test. Its certificate is valid for 90 days.

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The Texas adult driver education requirement is separate from teen driver education.

DPS states that first-time Texas driver license applicants ages 18 through 24 generally must complete a 6-hour adult Driver Education course. The requirement is waived for new Texas residents age 18 or older who surrender a valid, unexpired out-of-state license. Applicants age 25 and older do not have a driver education requirement.

After completing the applicable adult course, an adult applicant still has to complete the other parts of the Texas licensing process. These can include the application, required documentation, vision examination, knowledge test when applicable, and driving skills test.

If an applicant will take a driving skills test, DPS requires the appropriate Impact Texas Drivers program. ITAD is the adult program, and the certificate must be dated within 90 days of the skills examination.

The adult course does not replace the driving skills examination or the other DPS licensing requirements.

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The exact process depends on the applicant's age and driver education pathway.

Teen Applicants

A teen generally progresses through Texas' Graduated Driver License system.

The basic sequence is:

1. Complete the applicable teen driver education requirements.
2. At age 15 or older, apply for the learner license after satisfying the applicable classroom requirement.
3. Practice driving with the learner license.
4. Complete the required professional behind-the-wheel instruction.
5. Complete at least 30 hours of supervised driving, including at least 10 nighttime hours.
6. Hold the learner license for at least six months.
7. Complete the required Impact Texas Teen Drivers program.
8. Pass the driving skills examination and satisfy the requirements for the provisional license.

PTDE and Block Method students can have different responsibilities during the education portion, so families should follow the requirements associated with the specific program they selected.

Adult Applicants

For a first-time applicant age 18 through 24, complete the required 6-hour adult driver education course before completing the applicable licensing steps.

Applicants should prepare the required identity, lawful-presence, Texas-residency, Social Security, and insurance documentation identified by DPS. A first-time applicant must visit a driver license office in person.

If the applicant takes a driving skills test, the applicable Impact Texas Drivers certificate must be current. DPS states that the ITD certificate must be dated within 90 days of the driving skills test.

Ellis County has a mix of established communities, rapidly developing areas, suburban roads, rural routes, and major regional highways. The county identifies Waxahachie as its county seat and reports approximately 952 square miles of total area. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the county's population at 240,867 as of July 1, 2025, up 25.2% from the 2020 Census.

That growth matters to a beginning driver because the driving environment can change significantly over a relatively short trip. A student might leave a residential street, enter a busy commercial corridor, merge onto a high-speed highway, and then transition back onto a two-lane Farm-to-Market road.

The county's major highway network includes I-35E, I-45, US 67, US 77, US 287, and SH 34.

New drivers should practice more than basic neighborhood driving. They should become comfortable with:

• Entering and exiting high-speed highways
• Checking mirrors before changing lanes
• Managing speed while approaching highway ramps
• Reading directional signs early
• Sharing the road with larger commercial vehicles
• Adjusting driving behavior around road construction
• Moving between multilane highways and two-lane rural roads
• Allowing additional following distance when traffic patterns change

The county also identifies tornadoes, floods and flash floods, winter storms, drought, and other hazards as local emergency concerns. During severe weather, drivers should monitor official conditions and avoid attempting to drive through water over a roadway.

Because this is a county-focused page, the relevant driving environment extends across many separate communities rather than one city.

Waxahachie

Waxahachie is the county seat and one of the principal transportation centers in Ellis County. I-35E and US 287 make the area particularly useful for practicing the transition from local streets to higher-speed regional travel.

TxDOT projects around the US 287 and I-35E corridors also make it important for drivers to pay attention to temporary lane arrangements and construction signs.

Midlothian

Midlothian sits along the US 287 corridor and has connections to SH 67, FM 663, FM 875, FM 1387, and other county roads. TxDOT's long-range planning includes additional US 287 frontage roads and interchange improvements in this part of the county.

For a beginning driver, the combination of local streets and major highway access makes early practice with lane selection and merging particularly useful.

Red Oak and Ovilla

The Red Oak area provides another important example of the county's transition between local roads and high-volume highway infrastructure. I-35E connects the area to the larger Dallas region, while FM 664, also known as Ovilla Road, serves as an important cross-route.

TxDOT reported in February 2026 that construction was progressing on a new Single-Point Urban Interchange at I-35E and FM 664. Drivers in the area should expect construction activity and should follow current lane markings and traffic-control devices.

Ennis

Ennis is located near the southern portion of the county and provides access to I-45, US 77, US 287, and SH 34. A new driver traveling between Ennis and other Ellis County communities may encounter freeway driving, commercial traffic, and lower-speed local streets during the same trip.

Ferris, Palmer, Italy, Maypearl, Milford, and Venus

Smaller communities provide a different practice environment from the larger highway corridors. Students may encounter two-lane roads, intersections with state or Farm-to-Market routes, and longer stretches between developed areas.

That makes it useful to build experience gradually. A student who is comfortable on residential streets should still practice speed management, intersection scanning, and lane positioning before independently tackling the county's busiest highway connections.

I-35E

I-35E is one of the county's principal north-south transportation routes. It connects communities such as Red Oak and Waxahachie with the Dallas area and points farther south.

New drivers need to understand acceleration lanes, merging speed, lane selection, exit signs, and the fact that traffic may behave differently from what they experience on local streets.

I-45

I-45 runs through the eastern portion of the county and provides the major north-south connection toward the Dallas area and southern Texas.

The route also connects with SH 34 and other important roads around Ennis. TxDOT has ongoing and planned improvements involving I-45 and nearby intersections, so drivers should pay attention to current construction signs and lane markings.

US 287

US 287 is especially important in western and central Ellis County. It serves the Midlothian and Waxahachie areas and continues toward Ennis and other regional destinations.

TxDOT has proposed substantial improvements along portions of US 287, including new frontage roads, access ramps, and grade-separated interchanges.

For new drivers, this means learning how frontage roads, entrance ramps, exits, and mainline highway traffic work together.

US 67

US 67 serves the northern and western portions of the county and connects with the US 287 corridor around the Midlothian area.

US 77

US 77 runs through the eastern portion of the county, including the Ennis area. It provides an important connection between local communities and the I-35E and I-45 network.

SH 34

SH 34 provides an important north-south route through the county and connects with the major highway system around Red Oak, Waxahachie, and Ennis.

Farm-to-Market Roads

Ellis County also contains an extensive Farm-to-Market road network. Routes shown in current TxDOT materials include FM 66, FM 157, FM 308, FM 342, FM 387, FM 561, FM 663, FM 664, FM 875, FM 876, FM 877, FM 878, FM 879, FM 916, FM 1181, FM 1182, FM 1183, FM 1387, FM 1446, FM 2258, and others.

These roads can require a different approach from urban streets. Students should learn to judge speed, sight distance, intersections, curves, and the amount of time needed to react when traveling outside densely developed areas.

One of the most useful local skills for an Ellis County beginning driver is learning how to move between ordinary streets and the county's major highway network.

US 287, I-35E, and I-45 do not function like neighborhood roads. They involve higher speeds, multiple lanes, entrance and exit ramps, larger vehicles, and more decisions in less time.

Frontage-road and interchange changes add another layer. TxDOT is planning and building improvements along several major corridors, including US 287 and the I-35E/FM 664 interchange.

When practicing these areas, students should focus on:

• Getting into the correct lane before the exit or turn
• Checking blind spots before changing lanes
• Matching traffic speed when entering a highway
• Leaving enough room for vehicles merging into the lane
• Watching for lane shifts in construction areas
• Reading overhead signs before reaching an interchange
• Avoiding sudden lane changes near exits
• Maintaining a safe following distance

A driver who learns these skills on supervised practice drives will be better prepared to handle the transition from local streets to regional highway travel.

Construction Zones

Road construction is an active part of the transportation environment in Ellis County. TxDOT's 2025 construction information identified projects involving I-35E, US 287, SH 34, I-45, FM 879, and other routes. Some projects listed in that report had scheduled completion dates extending into 2026 or later.

Construction schedules can change, so students should rely on current signs and traffic-control devices rather than assuming a familiar road will have the same lane arrangement every time.

Severe Weather and High Water

Ellis County's emergency management information identifies tornadoes, floods, flash floods, winter storms, and drought among the county's hazards.

New drivers should understand that a route that is normally easy to drive can become unsafe during severe weather. If water covers a roadway, do not attempt to drive through it when the depth or condition is uncertain.

Rural and Two-Lane Road Practice

The county's extensive Farm-to-Market network means that new drivers may eventually travel outside the larger cities.

Practice should include maintaining lane position, identifying intersections early, managing speed on curves, and allowing sufficient time to react to vehicles entering from side roads.

School and Residential Areas

Residential areas in Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, Red Oak, and the county's smaller communities require a different level of attention than the highway system.

Students should slow appropriately near school zones, watch for pedestrians, and expect vehicles to enter or leave driveways and side streets.

Online driver education can be useful for eligible students living throughout the county because the online classroom portion is not limited to one Ellis County community.

A teen in Waxahachie, Midlothian, Ennis, Red Oak, Ferris, Italy, Maypearl, Palmer, Milford, Venus, or another part of the county still follows the same Texas driver education rules. The local difference is the driving environment and access to licensing and in-car resources.

The three pathways remain separate:

• Eligible teen families following PTDE can use the Parent-Taught Driver Education pathway.
• Eligible teens using a driver education provider can use the Block Method.
• First-time applicants ages 18 through 24 who are subject to the adult requirement use the 6-hour adult course.

The applicable online course does not eliminate required in-person driving instruction, supervised practice, testing, or DPS steps that apply to the student's situation.

Waxahachie

The county seat and a major transportation center. Drivers have access to I-35E, US 287, US 77, SH 34, and numerous local and Farm-to-Market routes.

Midlothian

A major community along the US 287 corridor. Students here should become comfortable with highway entrances, multilane roads, and the transition between developing commercial areas and local roads.

Ennis

A major community in southern Ellis County with access to I-45, US 77, US 287, and SH 34.

Red Oak

Located along I-35E in northern Ellis County. The I-35E/FM 664 interchange is undergoing a major redesign, making construction-zone awareness particularly relevant to local drivers.

Ferris

Located in the northern part of the county near the Dallas County line, with access to the regional highway network.

Italy

A smaller community in southern Ellis County where drivers may transition quickly between town streets and rural roads.

Maypearl

Located west of Waxahachie, with connections to the surrounding Farm-to-Market road network and larger regional routes.

Palmer

Located near the central eastern portion of the county and connected to the area's broader road network.

Milford

Located in southern Ellis County near the Hill County line. Driving here includes smaller-town streets and rural highway connections.

Venus

Located on the western edge of Ellis County near Johnson County. Drivers may move between local roads and the US 67/US 287 regional network.

Waxahachie Driver License Office

Texas Department of Public Safety

Address: 1720 E. Main St., Waxahachie, TX 75165 Phone: 972-923-6780

The Waxahachie location is the DPS Driver License Office serving Ellis County. DPS records identify the Waxahachie Area Office at 1720 E. Main Street, and the current DPS location search should be used to confirm available services and appointments.

The Driver License Office should not be confused with the Ellis County vehicle registration and tax office at 302 N. Monroe Street. Vehicle registration and title transactions are separate from driver license services.

DPS states that driver license and identification card services, including drive tests, are available by appointment. If the Waxahachie office does not have an appointment available, DPS recommends checking other locations through its statewide office search.

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Texas DPS locations, services, appointment availability, and operating hours can change. Check the Texas Department of Public Safety before visiting.

Students using the teen Block Method should remember that the online classroom portion and professional in-car instruction are separate parts of the overall driver education process.

The current DPS Third Party Skills Testing list identifies several Ellis County driving schools as authorized third-party skills-testing locations. These include:

Waxahachie Driving School

Waxahachie Driving School

Address: 106 S. Jackson St., Suite 2, Waxahachie, TX 75165 Phone: 972-937-5606

DPS's current third-party skills-testing listing identifies Waxahachie Driving School at this address.

AC Driving School

AC Driving School

Address: 1590 W. FM 875, Suite 100, Midlothian, TX 76065 Phone: 903-815-4501

DPS's current third-party skills-testing listing identifies AC Driving School at this Midlothian address.

Red Oak Driving School

Red Oak Driving School

Address: 213 S. Highway 342, Suite 105, Red Oak, TX 75154 Phone: 972-850-0990

DPS's current third-party skills-testing listing identifies Red Oak Driving School at this address.

These are local resources, not recommendations or endorsements. Inclusion does not imply affiliation with or endorsement by DriverEdToGo or CyberActive, Inc. Students should confirm eligibility, services, availability, pricing, scheduling, and current Texas licensing directly with the school.

The right course depends on your age and the Texas licensing pathway you are using. Do not choose a teen course when the adult course applies, and do not assume an online classroom course replaces required in-car instruction.

Parent-Taught Driver Education

For eligible Texas teen students following the PTDE pathway.

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Teen Driver Education, Block Method

For eligible Texas teen students using the Block Method pathway. The online classroom/theory portion is completed separately from required professional in-car instruction.

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Texas 6-Hour Adult Driver Education

For adult applicants who are subject to the Texas adult driver education requirement.

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Ellis County's current official materials identify the following incorporated cities and towns within the county or with territory in the county:

Cities and towns include:

• Bardwell
• Cedar Hill
• Ennis
• Ferris
• Glenn Heights
• Grand Prairie
• Italy
• Mansfield
• Maypearl
• Midlothian
• Milford
• Oak Leaf
• Ovilla
• Pecan Hill
• Red Oak
• Waxahachie
• Venus
• Garrett
• Alma
• Palmer

Ellis County's official website uses separate city and town classifications in different sections, while the Texas Comptroller's current Ellis County directory identifies active municipal taxing units including Bardwell, Ferris, Italy, Maypearl, Midlothian, Milford, Palmer, Red Oak, Waxahachie, Ovilla, Garrett, Oak Leaf, Pecan Hill, Alma, Venus, Glenn Heights, Cedar Hill, Grand Prairie, and Mansfield.

The county also identifies Avalon, Forreston, and Telico as unincorporated communities. They are not included in the incorporated-municipality list.