Lowry Crossing, Texas Online Driver's Ed

PTDE allows an eligible parent, stepparent, grandparent, step-grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian to conduct the applicable driver education instruction. The instructor must satisfy the state's eligibility requirements. (Texas Statutes)

The teen can begin the classroom phase at 14, but cannot receive the learner license until at least age 15 and after completing the required classroom portion. Current DPS forms recognize PTDE certificates for this process. (Texas Department of Public Safety)

The overall teen program includes classroom education, professional in-car instruction, observation and supervised driving. TDLR currently describes seven hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, seven hours of observation and 30 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of those supervised hours at night. (Texas Licensing and Regulation)

Start Texas Parent-taught Driver Ed

DriverEdToGo.com

The block method is the classroom-first option. DPS's current learner-license form states that students using the block method must complete all 24 classroom hours before applying for the learner license. (Texas Department of Public Safety)

After the learner license is issued, the student completes the required driving instruction and practice. A provisional license generally requires the learner license to have been held for at least six months, completion of the applicable driver education and in-car requirements, Impact Texas Teen Drivers and a passing skills test. (Texas Department of Public Safety)

Start Texas Teen Driver Ed Online

DriverEdToGo.com

A first-time Texas license applicant ages 18 through 24 generally needs the six-hour adult driver education course. Applicants 25 and older are not subject to the same standard education requirement, and certain new residents with a valid out-of-state license are exempt. (Texas Department of Public Safety)

The adult course does not eliminate the other licensing steps. When a skills test is required, the applicant also needs the appropriate Impact Texas program certificate. For adult applicants subject to the six-hour course, ITAD is a separate one-hour program that must be completed within 90 days before the skills examination. (Impact Texas Drivers)

Start the Texas 6-hour Adult Driver Ed Course

AdultDriversEdExpress.com

Teen Applicants

Lowry Crossing teens follow Texas's statewide graduated licensing process:

1. Complete the required classroom phase.
2. Obtain a learner license at age 15 or older.
3. Practice with a qualified adult.
4. Complete the required in-car and supervised driving.
5. Hold the learner license for at least six months.
6. Complete ITTD within 90 days before the skills test.
7. Pass the skills test and meet provisional-license requirements. (Texas Department of Public Safety)

Adult Applicants

First-time applicants ages 18 through 24 generally complete the six-hour adult course and then complete the applicable DPS licensing and testing requirements. (Texas Department of Public Safety)

Lowry Crossing sits in a part of Collin County where local roads connect directly with larger regional transportation projects.

FM 546 is particularly important. TxDOT and Collin County have studied improvements from Airport Drive in McKinney to County Road 393 in Lowry Crossing. The project includes a proposed four-lane divided urban arterial section, pedestrian accommodations and provisions for future expansion. (Texas Department of Transportation)

County transportation planning also connects FM 546 with the larger FM 546 and CR 400 corridor toward Princeton and US 380. (Collin County E-Agenda)

Lowry Crossing is small, but its location puts drivers close to the much larger McKinney and Princeton transportation networks.

A new driver may begin on local streets and then quickly encounter FM 546 or county roads that connect toward larger highways. This makes transition driving the key local skill.

Drivers should practice entering a larger road at an appropriate speed, identifying lane changes well ahead of an intersection, and recognizing the difference between local streets and regional arterials.

• FM 546: The defining regional corridor for Lowry Crossing. TxDOT and Collin County have studied reconstruction and widening from McKinney toward CR 393 in Lowry Crossing. (Texas Department of Transportation)
• CR 393: Part of the FM 546 study area and a useful example of how county roads connect with larger corridors.
• Bridgefarmer Road: A significant local reference point in the FM 546 corridor planning. (Collin County E-Agenda)
• US 380: Located north of the community and important for regional travel toward Princeton and McKinney.
• SH 5: Provides another major regional connection through McKinney.

Lowry Crossing's main driver-training issue is not a particular dangerous intersection. It is the transition from a small community road network into larger regional corridors.

FM 546 is a good example. TxDOT describes the existing eastern portion of the project as a two-lane rural arterial and the planned improvement as a divided urban arterial with pedestrian facilities. (Texas Department of Transportation)

A student should learn to recognize this transition before entering the larger roadway. That means checking the speed limit, identifying lane markings, looking farther ahead for turning traffic and planning lane changes before reaching an intersection.

Road Construction

FM 546 is part of a long-term transportation planning and improvement effort. Drivers should expect construction activity and changing roadway configurations as projects advance. (Texas Department of Transportation)

Rural and Semi-Rural Roads

Some roads around Lowry Crossing retain a rural character. Students should practice looking well ahead, controlling speed and watching for vehicles entering from side roads and driveways.

McKinney Traffic

Traveling west toward McKinney brings a driver into a much larger suburban road system. Students who live in Lowry Crossing should eventually practice this transition so that the change in traffic volume does not come as a surprise.

Eligible students in Lowry Crossing can complete the applicable online classroom portion from home. The same Texas driver education rules apply throughout Collin County.

The local benefit is knowing what comes after the online course. Teens still need the required in-car training and supervised driving, while adults must complete their applicable DPS licensing steps.

McKinney

McKinney is immediately relevant because FM 546 connects Lowry Crossing toward the city. It is also the Collin County seat and has a DPS Driver License Office.

Princeton

Princeton is directly connected to the Lowry Crossing transportation network through the FM 546 and CR 400 corridor. County planning identifies the corridor as part of a broader east-west mobility strategy toward US 380. (Collin County E-Agenda)

Melissa

Melissa is another important Collin County community north of McKinney and is relevant for drivers moving through the county's growing northern road network.

McKinney Driver License Office

400 Power House Street McKinney, TX 75071 (214) 733-5350

(Texas Department of Public Safety)

Plano Driver License Office

2109 West Parker Road, Suite 224 Plano, TX 75023 (972) 867-4221

(Collin County Government)

Dallas Garland Mega Center

4445 Saturn Road, Suite A Garland, TX 75041

(Collin County Government)

DPS states that driver license services are appointment based. Confirm the current location and services before visiting. (Texas Department of Public Safety)

Five Star Driving School

Five Star lists Collin County among its service areas, including McKinney, Allen, Frisco and Wylie, and identifies TDLR provider C3324. (Five Star Driving School)

1-2-3 Driving School

1-2-3 Driving School is located in Garland and appears in the TDLR provider roster as C1384. The roster lists adult, classroom, instructor-taught, online and Parent-Taught offerings. (Texas Approved Courses)

These schools are listed as local resources. 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 requirements directly with the school.

Parent-Taught Driver Education

Start Parent-taught Driver Ed

DriverEdToGo.com

Teen Driver Education, Block Method

Start Texas Teen Driver Ed

DriverEdToGo.com

Texas 6-Hour Adult Driver Education

Start Texas Adult Driver Ed

AdultDriversEdExpress.com

Collin County's official municipal list includes Lowry Crossing, McKinney, Princeton, Lavon, Josephine, Wylie and other municipalities. The county's mobility plan identifies Lowry Crossing as completely contained within Collin County. (Collin County Government)