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TITLE 16ECONOMIC REGULATION
PART 4TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF LICENSING AND REGULATION
CHAPTER 84DRIVER EDUCATION AND SAFETY
SUBCHAPTER MCURRICULUM AND ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
RULE §84.500Courses of Instruction for Driver Education Providers

(a) The educational objectives of driver training courses must include, but not be limited to, promoting respect for and encouraging observance of traffic laws and traffic safety responsibilities of driver education and citizens; instruction on law enforcement procedures for traffic stops in accordance with provisions of the Community Safety Education Act; information relating to human trafficking prevention in accordance with the provisions of the Julia Wells Act (Senate Bill 1831, Section 3, 87th Regular Legislature (2021)); information relating to the Texas Driving with Disabilities Program (Senate Bill 2304, 88th Regular Legislature (2023)); litter prevention; anatomical gifts; safely operating a vehicle near oversize or overweight vehicles; the passing of certain vehicles as described in Transportation Code §545.157; the dangers and consequences of street racing; leaving children in vehicles unattended; distractions; motorcycle awareness; alcohol awareness and the effect of alcohol on the effective operation of a motor vehicle; recreational water safety; reducing traffic violations, injuries, deaths, and economic losses; the proper use of child passenger safety seat systems; and motivating development of traffic-related competencies through education, including, but not limited to, Texas traffic laws, risk management, driver attitudes, courtesy skills, and evasive driving techniques.

(b) This subsection contains requirements for driver education courses. All course content and instructional material must include current statistical data, references to law, driving procedures, and traffic safety methodology. For each course, curriculum documents and materials may be requested as part of the application for approval. For courses offered in a language other than English, the course materials must be accompanied by a written declaration affirming that the translation of the course materials is true and correct in the proposed language presented. Such course materials are subject to the approval of the department prior to its use by a driver education provider.

  (1) Minor and adult driver education course.

    (A) The driver education classroom phase for students age 14 and over must consist of:

      (i) a minimum of 32 hours of classroom instruction. The in-car phase must consist of seven hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and seven hours of in-car observation in the presence of a person who holds a driver education instructor license; and

      (ii) 30 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, including at least 10 hours of nighttime instruction, in the presence of an adult who meets the requirements of Texas Transportation Code, §521.222(d)(2). The 30 hours of instruction must be endorsed by a parent or legal guardian if the student is a minor. Simulation hours must not be substituted for these 30 hours of instruction. Driver education training endorsed by the parent is limited to one hour per day.

    (B) Providers are allowed five minutes of break per instructional hour for all phases. No more than ten minutes of break time may be accumulated for each two hours of instruction.

    (C) Driver education course curriculum content, minimum instruction requirements, and administrative guidelines for classroom instruction, in-car instruction, simulation, and multicar range must include the educational objectives established by the department in the POI-DE and the requirements of this subchapter.

    (D) Driver education providers that desire to instruct students age 14 and over in a traditional classroom program must provide the same beginning and ending dates for each student in the same class of 36 or less. No student must be allowed to enroll and start the classroom phase after the seventh hour of classroom instruction has begun.

    (E) Students must proceed in the sequence identified by and approved for that driver education provider.

    (F) Students must receive classroom instruction from an instructor who is approved and licensed by the department. An instructor must be in the classroom and available to students during the entire 32 hours of instruction, including self-study assignments. Instructors must not have other teaching assignments or administrative duties during the 32 hours of classroom instruction.

    (G) Videos, tape recordings, guest speakers, and other instructional media that present concepts required in the POI-DE may be used as part of the required 32 hours of traditional classroom instruction.

    (H) Self-study assignments occurring during regularly scheduled class periods must not exceed 25 percent of the course and must be presented to the entire class simultaneously.

    (I) Each classroom student must be provided a driver education textbook designated by the commissioner or access to instructional materials that are in compliance with the POI-DE approved for the school. Instructional materials, including textbooks, must be in a condition that is legible and free of obscenities.

    (J) A copy of the current edition of the "Texas Driver Handbook" or instructional materials that are equivalent must be furnished to each student enrolled in the classroom phase of the driver education course.

    (K) Each student, including makeup students, must be provided their own seat and table or desk while receiving classroom instruction. A provider must not enroll more than thirty-six (36) students, excluding makeup students, and the number of students may not exceed the number of seats and tables or desks available at the provider's location.

    (L) When a student changes providers, the provider must follow the current transfer policy developed by the department.

    (M) All classroom phases of driver education, including makeup work, must be completed within the timelines stated in the original student contract. This must not circumvent the attendance and progress requirements.

    (N) All in-car lessons must consist of actual driving instruction. No provider must permit a ratio of more than four students per instructor or exceed the seating and occupant restraint capacity of the vehicle used for instruction. Providers that allow one-on-one instruction shall notify the parents in the contract.

    (O) A student must have a valid driver's license or learner license in his or her possession during any behind-the-wheel instruction.

    (P) All in-car instruction provided by the provider must begin no earlier than 5:00 a.m. and end no later than 11:00 p.m.

    (Q) A provider may use multimedia systems, simulators, and multicar driving ranges for in-car instruction in a driver education program. Each simulator, including the filmed instructional programs, and each plan for a multicar driving range must meet state specification developed by DPS and the department. A licensed driver education instructor must be present during use of multimedia systems, simulators, and multicar driving ranges.

    (R) Four periods of at least 55 minutes per hour of instruction in a simulator may be substituted for one hour of behind-the-wheel instruction and one hour of in-car observation. Two periods of at least 55 minutes per hour of multicar driving range instruction may be substituted for one hour of behind-the-wheel instruction and one hour of in-car observation relating to elementary or city driving lessons. However, a minimum of four hours must be devoted to actual behind-the-wheel instruction.

    (S) In a minor and adult driver education program, a student may apply to the DPS for a learner license after completing the objectives found in Module One: Traffic Laws of the POI-DE.

    (T) Each provider owner that teaches driver education courses must collect adequate student data to enable the department to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the driver education course in reducing the number of violations and accidents of persons who successfully complete the course. The department may determine a level of effectiveness that serves the purposes of the Code.

    (U) The instructor must be physically present in appropriate proximity to the student for the type of instruction being given. A driver education instructor, or provider owner must sign or stamp all completed classroom instruction records.

  (2) Driver education course exclusively for adults. Courses offered in a traditional classroom setting or online to persons who are age 18 to under 25 years of age for the education and examination requirements for the issuance of a driver's license under Texas Transportation Code, §521.222(c) and §521.1601, must be offered in accordance with the following guidelines.

    (A) Traditional approval process. The department may approve a driver education course exclusively for adults to be offered traditionally if the course meets the following requirements.

      (i) Application. The driver education provider must submit a completed application along with the appropriate fee.

      (ii) Instructor license required. Students must receive classroom instruction from a licensed driver education instructor.

Cont'd...

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