Distracted driving is the #1 killer of teen drivers according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). In an effort to prevent future tragedies and spread awareness to drivers through education, the department developed the Impact Texas Driver (ITD) program as a new step in the process of getting a license.
The ITD program went into effect on September 1, 2017. There are two courses: the Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) course and the Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) course. You’ll have to take one or the other depending on your age to receive a Texas driver’s license.
At least both courses are offered by the Department of Public Safety free of charge.
Impact Texas Teen Drivers (ITTD) Course
Ages: 16-17
Length: 2 hours
The ITTD course is a 2-hour video for teens who have completed either a Texas instructor-taught drivers ed course or a parent-taught drivers education course (32 hours of classroom time and 44 hours behind the wheel). The video shows real-life results of distracted driving accidents in Texas as well as telling the stories of teens who have lost their lives from the consequential mistake.
The ITTD course is segmented into eight parts. In addition to the stories of people impacted by distracted driving, the video contains a number of statistics that will make any driver think twice about multi-tasking behind the wheel.
The course is modeled after the California non-profit Impact Teen Drivers that uses state statistics, videos and materials to engage teens in understanding the true effects of distracted driving in their state.
Impact Texas Young Drivers (ITYD) Course
Ages: 18-24
Length: 1 hour
The ITYD course is a 1-hour video of similar content that is required for drivers ages 18-24 to complete after finishing an adult 6 hour driving course in Texas. It’s the last step before the driving skills test.
The video is broken up into four modules that viewers can watch independently, so it does not need to be watched to completion in one sitting. However, each module must be completed in its entirety before progressing on to the next one - and there’s no fast-forwarding.
After completing a 6-hour driver’s ed course, all drivers ages 18-24 must complete the ITYD program and obtain proof of completion (the ITYD Certificate of Completion). You’ll need to bring along a copy of the certificate to the DPS in order to take the driving skills test.
NOTE: A copy of the certificate will be mailed to the address used to create the account on the ITYD website. You can also log in to the website at any time to retrieve and print the certificate for your driving skills test. Printed copies are the only acceptable certificates, so don’t forget to print it before heading to the local DPS office.
You can get started by signing up for an account on the ITYD website.
The Next Phase of the Impact Texas Drivers Program
The next phase of the ITD program will be the Impact Texas Adult Drivers course. It’s expected to be similar to the ITYD course in length and content, but first-time drivers of all ages over 24 years old will have to take it.
We think it’s a smart move on the part of the DPS because distracted driving is something that impacts all drivers. We all need to be aware of how dangerous it is and the best practices to follow when we’re behind the wheel so that distractions don’t get in the way of safe driving.
*This article was updated on 1/25/2024.