In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. “Driver education course” means a standardized course of instruction under a driver education program, adopted or approved by the Administration in consultation with the State Department of Education, intended to teach individuals to safely drive a noncommercial motor vehicle. “Driver education instructor” means an individual who has completed required certification courses and is certified by the Administration to teach a driver education course, whether or not the individual is required to be licensed under Title 15, Subtitle 8 of this article. “Driver education program” means the courses and learning activities designated by the Administration in consultation with the State Department of Education that an individual may be required to complete before obtaining a noncommercial driver’s license under this title. “Driver education school” means a school approved by the Administration to conduct driver education courses in accordance with this subtitle.

There is a driver education program, established as part of the highway safety program of this State. The purpose of the driver education program is to provide a complete program of driver education to eligible individuals.

Subject to the regulations adopted under § 16-505(b) of this subtitle on the required offering of the program: The complete program shall be offered to all eligible individuals before they may obtain a provisional license under § 16-111 of this title; and Any individual to whom the program initially is offered remains eligible to enroll in the program until the individual becomes eligible to qualify for a provisional license. Once enrolled in the program, an individual is considered eligible until the individual completes the course.

To qualify as a certified driver education instructor, an individual shall: Meet the qualifications established by the Administration in consultation with the State Department of Education; Successfully complete the Administration approved certification courses; and Demonstrate a proficiency in teaching the adopted or approved driver education course.

The Administration shall, in consultation with the State Department of Education, adopt and enforce regulations not inconsistent with this subtitle to implement a standardized driver education program conducted by driver education schools under its jurisdiction. Regulations adopted under this section shall be administered by the Administration and shall include: Curriculum, equipment, and facility standards for classroom, laboratory, and on-road instruction phases; Minimum student performance standards for an approved driver education program based upon the standardized curriculum approved by the Administration, consisting of at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and at least 6 hours of highway driving instruction; Standards for the certification of schools and instructors; A system to evaluate the effectiveness of the driver education program; Standards governing the required offering of the driver education program, based on the capacity, enrollment, staff, and facilities of the schools; and Standards for the eligibility of individuals to enroll in the program.

The Administration may suspend, revoke, or refuse to grant or renew certification under the driver education program of any drivers’ school or of any classroom or laboratory instructor of a drivers’ school, if it finds that the school or instructor has: Failed to comply with any of the provisions of or any rule or regulation adopted under: This subtitle; Title 15, Subtitle 7 of this article, as to drivers’ schools; or Title 15, Subtitle 8 of this article, as to driving instructors; or Been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude. If the Administration refuses to grant or renew a certification under this subtitle, the applicant may request a hearing under Title 12, Subtitle 2 of this article. Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the Administration may suspend or revoke a certification under this subtitle only after a hearing under Title 12, Subtitle 2 of this article. If the Administration determines that there is a danger of immediate, substantial, and continuing harm to the public if the certification is continued pending a hearing, the Administration shall: Immediately suspend the certification; Within 7 days of a request for a hearing, grant a hearing as provided in Title 12, Subtitle 2 of this article; and After a hearing, render an immediate decision as to whether the Administration shall continue the suspension or revoke or reinstate the certification.

This subtitle may be cited as the Maryland Driver Education Program Act.