September 1, 2005 - For Immediate Release
New driver training school rules start this week
OLYMPIA—New administrative rules are now in place to help improve driver training for Washington teens.
The new driver training school rules, which went into effect on Aug. 29, cover many aspects of the licensing and operation of these schools, including the establishment of standards for disciplinary actions for errant schools and instructors.
“These new rules will give the Department of Licensing (DOL) new tools to hold driver training schools accountable for delivering high quality driver education,” DOL Director Liz Luce said.
These new rules will:
- Clarify requirements for instructor's licenses, including the timing of criminal background checks and better definitions of disqualifying offenses.
- Set standards for certifying driver training instructors.
- Clarify requirements for classroom space.
- Specify requirements for traffic safety education vehicles.
- Establish school administration requirements.
- Establish record-keeping and reporting requirements.
- Revise curriculum requirements and set standards to ensure student accomplishment.
In 2004, the Department of Licensing enlisted the help of driver training school industry representatives to rewrite the rules of these schools to ensure Washington teens get the training they need to be successful drivers and that driving schools operate on a level playing field.
“We worked closely with the driver training school industry to draft rules that will improve the quality of driver education,” Luce said. “I've been very impressed with how dedicated most members of this industry are to improving traffic safety in our state.”
DOL also is working with state Representative Deb Wallace (D-Vancouver) and other interested parties to draft a legislative proposal to further strengthen our state's driver training school laws. This proposed legislation will make it easier for DOL to enforce existing and proposed driver training school laws by making the schools subject to the same laws DOL uses to regulate other licensed businesses and professions.
Key elements under discussion include:
- Making commercial driver training schools subject to the Uniform Regulation of Business and Professions Act, the same law DOL uses to regulate other licensed businesses and professions.
- Strengthening the requirements for getting a driving instructor license.
- Expand the ability to stop fraudulent practices and deceptive activities.
- Expanding the current requirement for criminal background checks of instructor applicants to include school owners.
- Increasing the driving time required of students from four hours to six hours.
- Expanding student curriculum requirements to include information on intermediate driver's license requirements and restrictions.