Updated Guidance on Driver and Traffic Safety Education in Response to COVID-19
TO: District Superintendents Superintendents of Schools, Public School Administrators, Nonpublic School Administrators, Charter School
Administrators From: Shannon Tahoe, Interim Commissioner Date: March 25, 2020
Background On March 16, 2020 Governor Cuomo signed an executive order directing all schools in New York State to close by March 18 for two weeks in response to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID- 19) emergency. The Office of Career and Technical Education (CTE) has recently received an influx of questions from school districts regarding their driver’s education programs. In order to address current state-wide school closures and the possibility of extended school closures, the Office of CTE has put forth the following guidance with respect to driver and traffic safety education (DTSE).
Recommendations for Schools
According to the NYS DTSE Guidelines, driver’s education courses must provide each student with a minimum of 24 hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of 24 hours of laboratory instruction (including six hours behind-the-wheel, six hours in-car observation, and 12 hours of additional laboratory instruction) in order to obtain an MV-285 Certificate of Completion of Driver Education Course. At this time, there are many students across the state who have completed various numbers of hours in classroom and laboratory instruction. Consistent with NYS DTSE guidelines, schools must develop, distribute and publish written guidance regarding their make-up session policy. However, NYSED recognizes the complexities of responding to the COVID-19 emergency.
After consultation with the Department of Motor Vehicles, they have agreed to allow the following flexibilities to enable students to finish their programs. As needed, schools may utilize online instruction to assist students in meeting the 24-hour requirements for classroom instruction. The Department of Motor Vehicles recognizes that online instruction may not be the optimum method of instruction for driver’s education courses, so schools may only allow students who have completed 75% (18 hours) or more of classroom instruction to utilize this option. Consistent with the NYS DTSE guidelines, schools must also ensure that students do not participate in more than 90 minutes of classroom and laboratory instruction per day. Online learning may only be utilized for the classroom instruction portion of the program. Under normal circumstances, all classroom and laboratory instruction must be provided concurrently. However, in response to school and district closures as a result of COVID-19, school districts may allow students enrolled in driver’s education courses in the spring 2020 semester to finish their laboratory instruction during the summer 2020 session or the fall 2020 semester. NYSED also reminds schools and DTSE instructors that it is within a DTSE instructor’s discretion, as explained by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), to issue MV-278 Pre-Licensing Course Completion Certificate to any student that has completed allinstructional content required for a pre-licensing driving course. The MV-278 will allow students to schedule their DMV road tests but does not qualify students for a Class D operator’s license if they are younger than 18 years old. Moreover, students who have a junior driver’s license or junior driver’s permit are subject to the restrictions for junior drivers until they turn 18. Prior to taking a road test, parents must certify that the student has completed 50 hours of supervised driving. Driving hours with a DTSE instructor can be combined with parent-supervised hours to reach the required 50 hours. Whether a school chooses to utilize the recommendations detailed above is a local decision, and NYSED strongly urges schools to consult with their local counsel before making any decisions. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please direct them to [email protected] at the Office of Career and Technical Education.
Keeping Up With Legislation Related to Driving
We Oppose Bill S3965A, The Move to Make the 5 Hour Pre-Licensing Course An Internet Program" By Michael DeMay Legislative Committee Tuesday, July 30, 2019 Bill S3965A Governor Cuomo's secretary earlier.stated this is the first time hearing about this bill which means not enough of us are calling in. She said she can "only pass along a short note" but we should mail, email or fax our concerns. She said they usually process a fax a little faster and is the best option. The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo Governor of New York State NYS State Capitol Building Albany, NY 12224 Phone number 518-474-8390 (option 2 to speak with someone 9am-5pm) Fax 518-474-1513 Here's some help on what our concerns are: I oppose senate Bill S3965A. This action will compromise objectives of pre- licensing course "to hpromote safe drivers on NYS roads. We have seen many drivers from other states getting their license revoked after they convert to a NYS drivers license. Numerous violations and accidents are caused because of their lack of knowledge about rules of the road. We strongly oppose this bill. Additional points: 1) 5 hour classes in a classroom allow for questions by the students, direct discussions and provide the give and take with instructors who are trained in driving strategies and tips. 2) 5 hours in the classroom allow the instructors to do actual exercises to demonstrate how distracted driving leads to accidents. Instructors also demonstrate the effects of driving while impaired by i.e. using drunk driving goggles., discussing the impact of drinking and driving after watching a powerful video. 3) Professional driving instruction can be much more effective than parents or friends conducting the instruction. The 5 hour class in a classroom creates a mandatory contact with driving professionals which can also results in making drivers aware that they may need to take professional lessons. Without this contact there will be a drastic reduction in the amount of people taking professional lessons resulting in more unqualified drivers making the roads less safe. The State recognizes that professional driving instruction through Driver's Education courses are superior to people not taking these courses. There are students who may not have the time to take driver education but at minimum they can be safer drivers by a professional pointing out the mot important points and alerting potential drivers about private driving lessons. The State should be encouraging professional private instruction and at minimum requiring safety education Veto any Bill # S 3965A that does not promote driver education. -- Real ID, Enhanced, or Standard Drivers License – Which one is right for me?
Submitted by Troy Townsend Video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-_nl6ps-3M&feature=youtu.be |
Keeping you informed on action being reviewed or being acted on currently in 2019.
By Kathleen Kielar, Legislative Committee New Legislation affecting Drivers in NYS
- Canada’s new Cannabis Act went into effect and legalized recreational marijuana use in Canada. This law created legal considerations for travelers from the United States to Canada. Travelers should know that in Canada, Canadian police do not need a reason to pull over a driver to administer a drug/alcohol test. Those US residents who obtain a DWI since December 18, 2018 will no longer be able to enter Canada without applying for a temporary resident permit, which will be more difficult to face. Use of cannabis in the United States is still a federal crime. If you bring some marijuana across the border, you could be convicted of drug trafficking. New Legislation Being Considered affecting Drivers in NYS · NYS Assembly Bill A2614 – Establishes a driver safety course and a driver safety course fund. The bill is designed to establish and implement an internet based driver safety course for the purposes of training new drivers, and granting point and insurance reduction benefits. This curriculum shall contain instruction on driver attitude, Collision awareness, the proper use of automobile safety devices, defensive driving, and drug and alcohol impairment, safe use of automobile technology, school and work zone safety, toll plaza safety, driving while drowsy, driver distractions, road rage, school bus safety, and such other subjects as the commissioner may prescribe. (introduced January 24, 2019). Bill is in committee (as of January 31, 2019) · NYS Assembly Bill A2258 – Provides for driver safety user restrictions on drivers’ license and permits. Section 1. Paragraph (c) of subdivision 2 of section 501 of the vehicle and traffic law is amended by adding three new subparagraphs (iv), (v) and (vi) to read as follows: (iv) a restriction limiting the operation of a motor vehicle to within A limited mileage radius, imposed pursuant to subdivision three of Section five hundred six of this article. (v) a restriction prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle after Sunset, imposed pursuant to subdivision three of section five hundred Six of this article. (vi) a restriction prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle on Limited access highways, imposed pursuant to subdivision three of Section five hundred six of this article. (Bill is in Committee as of January 22, 2019) · NYS Assembly Bill A1754 – Requires applicants for a driver’s license or non-driver identification card to submit satisfactory proof that the applicant’s presence in the US is authorized. (Bill is in Committee as of January 17, 2019) · NYS Assembly Bill A2288- Provides that a court may require the reexamination of certain drivers (Bill is in Committee as of January 22, 2019) · NYS Assembly Bill S2549 – Requires an updated Photo to be taken in order to renew a driver’s license (Bill is in Committee as of January 28, 2019) · NYS Assembly Bill S1892 – Relates to drives of school buses using hands-free mobile telephones where buss drivers will be precluded uses of hands-free telephone device unless it is an emergency…or when parked lawfully (Bill is in Committee as of January 17, 2019) · NYS Assembly Bill S1436 – Creates a pilot program to allow young drivers 18 to 20 years of age to operate commercial vehicles within intrastate commerce, as is allowed in 48 other states. (Bill is in committee as of January 14, 2019) · NYS Assembly Bill S453 “Abbigail’s law – Provides that any individual acting as a supervising driver while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor. (Bill sis in Committee as of January 9, 2019) · NYS Bill A3296 – Imposes points on a driver’s license for illegally parking in a handicapped parking space (Bill in committee as of January 29, 2019) · NYS Bill A605 – Add a school bus safety component to the prelicensing driver’s education course (Bill in Committee as of January 9, 2019) · NYS Bill A704 – Requires a 60 Day license suspension of any driver convicted of 2 speeding violations within a school zone, committed within an 18 month period of time. (Bill sent to committee as of January 9, 2019) |