In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Driving instructor” means any individual who: For compensation, under any form of agreement or arrangement with a drivers’ school, gives or offers to give instruction in the driving of motor vehicles; or Otherwise gives or offers to give any other individual instruction in the driving of motor vehicles and receives or expects to receive compensation for that instruction. “License” means a driving instructor’s license issued by the Administration under this subtitle.

Except as provided in §§ 10–14A–03 and 10–14B–03 of the State Government Article, a person may not act as a driving instructor unless the person is licensed by the Administration under this subtitle.

A person may not be licensed under this subtitle unless the person: Is an individual of good reputation and moral character; Is licensed to drive under Title 16 of this article; Has completed the instructor certification program approved by the Administration; and Is either: Licensed under Subtitle 7 of this title to conduct a drivers’ school; or Employed as a driving instructor by a licensed drivers’ school. Unless the applicant himself is licensed to conduct a drivers’ school, each application for a license shall contain or be accompanied by the written statement of the licensed drivers’ school by whom the applicant is or will be employed, certifying that the applicant has been accepted as a driving instructor. The written statement shall be signed on behalf of the licensed drivers’ school by a person authorized under this title to sign an application for a drivers’ school license. If a drivers’ school makes a certified statement under this section, the drivers’ school immediately shall notify the Administration of any termination of employment of the driving instructor. The notification required under subsection (c) of this section shall be made on the form that the Administration requires.

In addition to the information required under § 15–102 of this title, each application for a license shall include: The name and business address of the drivers’ school by whom the applicant is or will be employed; or A statement that the applicant himself is licensed to conduct a drivers’ school. In this subsection, “Central Repository” means the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The Administration shall apply to the Central Repository for a State and national criminal history records check for each applicant. As part of the application for a criminal history records check, the Administration shall submit to the Central Repository: One complete set of the applicant’s legible fingerprints taken in a manner approved by the Director of the Central Repository and the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; The fee authorized under § 10–221(b)(7) of the Criminal Procedure Article for access to Maryland criminal history records; and The mandatory processing fee required by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history records check. In accordance with §§ 10–201 through 10–229 of the Criminal Procedure Article, the Central Repository shall forward to the applicant and the Administration the applicant’s criminal history record information. If criminal history record information is reported to the Central Repository after the date of the criminal history records check, the Central Repository shall provide to the Administration a revised printed statement of the individual’s criminal history record information. Information obtained from the Central Repository under this subsection: Is confidential and may not be redisseminated; and Shall be used only for the licensing purpose authorized by this subsection. The subject of a criminal history records check under this subsection may contest the contents of the printed statement issued by the Central Repository as provided in § 10–223 of the Criminal Procedure Article.

Each licensee shall pay an annual fee to the Administration for each year for which the license is issued. The annual fee shall be established by the Administration.

The license authorizes the licensee to be a driving instructor for a licensed drivers’ school during the license year for which it is issued.

In addition to the other grounds specified in Subtitle 1 of this title for refusal, suspension, or revocation of a license, the Administration may refuse to grant a license under this subtitle to any person and may suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew the license of any person if it finds that the person: Has been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude; or As to any driving instructor that is a participant in the Maryland driver education program, the person has failed to comply with any of the provisions of or any of the rules and regulations adopted under the Maryland Driver Education Program Act. As to any person licensed under this subtitle, instead of or in addition to revocation, suspension, or refusal to renew a license under this section, the Administration may order the licensee to pay a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each violation of this subtitle.