Texas offers Sign Language Drivers Education.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has released a driver education course in American Sign Language for deaf or hard of hearing students. 

The course is the first of its kind developed by a state agency in the United States. The course is intended to provide minors and adults who are deaf or hard of hearing a way to fully participate in the classroom portion of the course, but they are not required to use it. 

 Brian E. Francis, TDLR executive director said “TDLR is proud to make this driving course available for deaf or hard of hearing students. Being able to receive this information in American Sign Language (ASL) will allow for these students to have the same opportunity as their fellow Texans when taking a driver education course. Once again, Texas leads the way in innovation.”  

TDLR staff worked with ASL experts in Texas to develop a driver education course that serves the deaf or hard of hearing community and meets all driver education and traffic safety standards. In addition to ASL, the course also contains a transcript and includes voiceovers in English to ensure accessibility of the highest standards. The Driver Education Course in American Sign Language (ASL) must be taken through a TDLR-licensed driver education school for students to receive the certificate of completion that’s needed to complete the driver license application process. 

TDLR provides regulatory oversight for a broad range of occupations, businesses, facilities, and equipment in Texas. The agency protects the health and safety of Texans by ensuring they are served by qualified, licensed professionals. Inspections of individuals, businesses, and equipment are done on a regular basis to safeguard the public. 

For more information, click on tdlr.texas.gov.