Section 1060.180  Teen Accreditation

 

a)         Accreditation of the School – Each commercial driver training school that desires to offer instruction to those under the age of 18 must be accredited by the Secretary of State through the Department of Driver Services before instruction can be offered or advertised.

 

1)         Upon receipt of proper application for accreditation, the Secretary of State will investigate the school and verify the application.  A Secretary of State employee shall contact the school and make an appointment to visit the school's facilities.  At the time of the visit, the Secretary of State employee shall verify that the school meets the standards set forth for commercial driving schools in IVC Section 6-401.  In addition, the school shall meet the standards for commercial driver school teen accreditation that are set forth in subsections (b) through (f).  These standards shall be furnished to the school by the Secretary of State before the visit if the school requests them.  If all qualifications and standards are met, the school shall be certified to offer instruction to students under the age of 18.

 

2)         The accreditation of each school is renewable upon the expiration date of the school license, provided all qualifications and standards are met and provided the school has been in compliance with this Part.

 

3)         Only qualified teaching personnel may teach persons under age 18. Exception:  in the event of an emergency situation in which the only available teacher terminates his or her employment, or must take a leave of absence, while a course remains incomplete, other licensed instructors may take over and complete the course.  No new courses may be started before properly qualified teaching personnel are again available.  In all such cases, the Department must give prior approval.  Approval shall not be given until the Department has checked the roster of instructors at the school and determined that no other teacher licensed by the Secretary of State to teach students under 18 is available at the school.

 

4)         A teen accredited driving school must submit a permit cancellation request to the Secretary of State for any teenage student with an instruction permit who withdraws from, or fails to complete, the teenage driver education program.

 

b)         Required Facilities – All teen accredited driver training schools must provide all classroom and vehicle facilities and equipment as prescribed in the driving school laws and regulations administered by the Secretary of State.  Those who desire to provide instruction for persons under the age of 18 must comply with Section 1060.50.  

 

1)         Required Course of Instruction

 

A)        One copy of an outline covering the topics to be taught in the classroom phase of instruction, and one copy of an outline of the behind-the-wheel phase of instruction constructed along the lines of the recommended "Illinois Driver Education Curriculum" shall be maintained.  The outlines must meet the approval of the Director of the Department.

 

i)          Accredited teen driver training schools must follow the approved classroom and behind-the-wheel course outlines that are submitted to the Director of the Department at the time of application for certification.  The Department shall determine compliance with this provision by unannounced inspections of teen classes and records.  At least one inspection shall take place every 2 months.

 

ii)         If the classroom or behind-the-wheel outlines are substantially changed, revised outlines must be submitted in duplicate to the Director of the Department for approval.  A letter shall be sent to the driver training school informing it of whether its classroom or behind-the-wheel outline has been approved.

 

B)        Instructional materials shall be available and shall include a form of video delivery that corresponds with the outline described in subsection (b)(2)(A).

 

C)        A professional library containing an assortment of reference and textbooks, pamphlets and other publications shall be available for the use of students or teachers.

 

c)         Teacher Qualifications

 

1)         Classroom Teacher Qualifications – Each teen accredited driver training school must have at least one classroom instructor employed who meets the standards of IVC Section 6-411, pertaining to classroom instructors who teach approved driver education courses to students under 18 years of age.

 

A)        A classroom driver training instructor teaching the teen accredited program must comply with Sections 1060.120 and 1060.130.

 

B)        The instructor must possess good physical and mental health.  An application/physical exam form, provided by the Secretary of State,  must be completed by the instructor and a physician.

 

C)        The instructor must qualify under one of the following requirements:

 

i)          Be a certified teacher meeting the requirements of 23 Ill. Adm. Code 252.40.  (Minor – 16 semester hours)

 

ii)         Hold a baccalaureate degree, have one year of teaching experience in primary, secondary or higher education, and complete a 48 hour course approved by the Director of the Department.

 

iii)         Complete the 48 hour course or an equivalent college or university course (a course, at least 48 hours in length, designed to provide individuals with the knowledge, methods and procedures specific to conducting driver education instructional courses, that has been approved by the Director of the Department) and provide written documentation verifying he or she has had 2 months of experience teaching behind-the-wheel to adults.

 

iv)        Hold a valid State teaching certificate and complete a 48 hour behind-the-wheel and classroom course approved by the Director of Driver Services.

 

2)         Behind-the-wheel Teacher Qualifications – Behind-the-wheel teachers of driving shall be those who have passed an objective typewritten examination based upon current textbooks and the Motor Vehicle Code; a practical test regarding their ability to drive and to instruct others; and investigation of their moral character and driving record as required in IVC Section 6-411(a) through (f) and supplementary regulations. Each teen accredited driver training school must have at least one behind-the-wheel instructor who meets the standards of IVC Section 6-411 pertaining to behind-the-wheel instructors who teach approved driver education courses to students under 18 years of age.

 

A)        A driver training instructor teaching the teen accredited behind-the-wheel program must comply with Sections 1060.120 and 1060.130.

 

B)        The instructor must possess good physical and mental health.  An application/physical exam form, provided by the Secretary of State,  must be completed by the instructor and a physician.

 

C)        The instructor must qualify under one of the following requirements:

 

i)          Be a certified teacher meeting the requirements of 23 Ill. Adm. Code 252.40.

 

ii)         Hold a baccalaureate degree and have 2 months of experience in teaching behind-the-wheel to adults.

 

iii)         Have 7 years of uninterrupted teaching experience in a commercial driver training school.

 

iv)        Be licensed by the Secretary of State, complete the 48 hour course (48 Hour Course – a course, at least 48 hours in length, designed to provide individuals with the knowledge, methods and procedures specific to conducting driver education instructional courses that has been approved by the Department Director) or an equivalent college or university course approved by the Director of Driver Services, and provide written documentation verifying he or she has had 2 months of experience teaching behind-the-wheel to adults.

 

v)         Hold a valid State teaching certificate and complete a 48 hour course approved by the Director of Driver Services.

 

3)         Classroom and/or behind-the-wheel driver education teachers are to be assigned not more than 12 clock hours of instructional work daily.  No teen instruction, classroom or behind-the-wheel, can take place between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

 

d)         Student Qualifications

 

1)         A driver training school or driver training instructor licensed by the Secretary of State shall comply with all of the requirements of IVC Section 6-408.5 prior to requesting a certificate of completion from the Secretary of State.

 

2)         A superintendent or chief school administrator may waive the requirements contained within IVC Section 6-408.5 if he/she deems it to be in the best interests of the student or dropout.  The State Board of Education may, at its discretion, by rule or regulation, establish guidelines for the waiver of the requirements of IVC Section 6-408.5.

 

3)         Prior to a driver training school or driver training school instructor requesting a certificate of completion for a student, the driver training school or driver training instructor must verify that the student is enrolled in school and has received a passing grade in at least 8 courses during the 2 semesters.  Verification of a student's eligibility to obtain a certificate of completion from the Secretary of State shall be by one of the following methods:

 

A)        obtain written documentation on a form prepared or approved by the Secretary of State stating the student has received a passing grade in at least 8 courses during the previous 2 semesters;

 

B)        obtain written waiver from a superintendent or school administrator on a form prepared or approved by the Secretary of State;

 

C)        obtain written verification on a form prepared or approved by the Secretary of State stating the student is enrolled in a home school;

 

D)        obtain copies of the student's report card and/or transcript for the previous 2 semesters indicating a passing grade in at least 8 courses during the previous 2 semesters.

 

4)         Verification of eligibility for any person who has dropped out of school and has not yet attained the age of 18 years shall be by one of the following methods:

 

A)        obtain written documentation verifying the dropout's enrollment in GED or an alternative education program or obtain a copy of the dropout's GED certificate;

 

B)        obtain written verification that the student prior to dropping out, had received a passing grade in at least 8 courses during the 2 previous semesters last ending prior to requesting a certificate of completion; or

 

C)        obtain written consent on a form prepared or approved by the Secretary of State from the dropout's parents or guardian and the regional superintendent.

 

5)         Students enrolled in a driver training school shall be informed in writing of the eligibility requirements of IVC Section 6-408.5 at the time of registration that shall be documented in the student's file.

 

6)         The driver training school and/or driver training school instructor shall maintain a copy and make available for inspection all written documentation required by this Section.

 

7)         The driver training school may not enroll any students who will not be at least 15 years of age prior to the end of the classroom portion of the course.

 

e)         Classroom Instruction – For Persons under Age 18 Years

 

1)         Classroom instruction shall include not less than 30 class hours. Instructional periods are to be no longer than 2 hours daily with meetings distributed regularly throughout the minimum of 4 complete weeks. The maximum number of students cannot exceed 30 per class for classroom instruction, except that, if the size of the classroom exceeds 350 square feet, a maximum of 35 students shall be allowed.

 

2)         Classroom instruction shall include subject matter relating to the rules of the road, safe driving practices, pedestrian safety, driver responsibility, theory of driving, defensive driving techniques, behavioral characteristics of drivers, auto insurance and financial responsibility, development of perception for driving, emergency situation procedures, the use of automobile safety devices, and the effects of alcohol and/or other drugs on driving.

 

3)         Each classroom course must have a definite starting date and completion date.  No more than one classroom course may be taught during any same time period in the same classroom. Late registrations shall not be accepted beyond the third day of the course, at which time the course must be closed to further enrollments.

 

4)         Late registrants and absentees shall be given make-up instruction and assignments.  No school shall permit the student to be absent from more than 4 class sessions without requiring the student to re-enroll in a later course and to start over.

 

5)         The teaching facilities must provide adequate, comfortable seating for students.  Lighting must be adequate and the maintenance (housekeeping) of the room orderly.

 

6)         A textbook on driver education must be in the possession of each student for the duration of the course, to be used as a regular part of the course content, and consistent with the recommended course outline.

 

7)         Audio-visual materials shall be used as a supplement to the teacher's presentation, but not as a replacement.  Reference materials are to be available to the students and their use assured by assignments.  All assignments are to be made in advance of due dates and should include outside reading as well as preparation for testing.

 

8)         A regular schedule of classroom testing shall be followed. Student progress in acquaintance with information, data, and knowledge is to be periodically evaluated.  Criteria for passing or failing the course must be evident to the students and successful completion clearly defined.

 

9)         Each student shall be informed prior to the time instruction begins of the character and amount of any and all fees or charges made for enrollments or registration, tuition, use of equipment, text and reference materials, supplies, and any service, equipment, or materials provided by the commercial driving school.

 

10)         Instruction for each student in the class shall begin on the date and location designated by advertisement and continue throughout the designated period unless the course is cancelled and the student is refunded any fees already paid.

 

11)         A listing of students enrolled in each and every classroom course shall be sent to the Department of Driver Services Blue Slip Unit within 3 days after the third day of classroom instruction on forms provided by the Secretary of State. A certificate will not be issued to anyone whose name has not been submitted on this form, signed by an authorized official of the school.

 

f)          Laboratory Instruction – For Persons under Age 18 Years

 

1)         Laboratory instruction shall not begin until the student is enrolled in a classroom program of driver education and possesses the basic information required for safe operation of a vehicle in traffic.  At least 4 hours of classroom instruction must be given before behind-the-wheel lessons are started.

 

2)         Each student must have in his or her possession, when engaged in vehicle operation, a valid instruction permit issued by the Secretary of State.

 

3)         No fewer than 2 nor more than 4 students are to occupy the car with an instructor when instruction is in progress.  Student driving experiences shall be for periods of not more than 90 minutes for each student per day.  The accumulation of 6 hours of practice driving shall be distributed regularly throughout a minimum of 2 complete weeks.  Although observation time in the car may not be counted as practice driving, a minimum of 6 hours is required.  The only exception shall be when a parent requests that observers be excluded because the parent has chosen an alternate formula.  The alternate formula may substitute 1 additional hour of behind-the -wheel instruction for 3 hours of observation; or 2 additional hours of behind-the-wheel instruction for 6 hours of observation.  If an alternate formula is chosen, the student may drive alone with an instructor.  The school must maintain on file a parental signature authorizing the student to take an alternate formula for the behind-the-wheel portion of instruction.

 

4)         Each student shall receive a minimum of 6 full hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.  There can be no allowance for any absences without actual make-up time spent behind-the-wheel.  Satisfactory completion denotes that each student has the competencies to be certified by the school for issuance of a certificate.

 

5)         Lesson time or practice driving time may not be used to call for, deliver or dismiss other students to their homes or pick-up points.

 

6)         Practice driving instruction shall include actual experience in starting, stopping, shifting, turning, backing, parking, steering and emergency situation procedure in a vehicle equipped according to IVC Section 6-410.

 

g)         Records

 

1)         Records shall be maintained by schools that substantiate daily attendance, lesson time, and periodic evaluation of each student.  Also recorded shall be the beginning and ending dates of classroom, as well as laboratory, instruction.  Students are to be identified by name, address and other personal information.  The records are to be on file in the office of the management for a period of 3 years.

 

2)         A Secretary of State form shall be used for submitting the names of those students who have satisfactorily fulfilled the requirements of the complete course in driver education and who qualify for a certificate.  The form shall be signed by an authorized official of the school.

 

(Source:  Amended at 33 Ill. Reg. 15811, effective October 27, 2009)