<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".32" citation="COMAR 11.23.02.32" title_num="11" subtitle_num="23" chapter_num="02" heading="Classroom Operation Requirements.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Under Transportation Article, §16-505, Annotated Code of Maryland, a student shall complete a minimum of 30 hours of classroom instruction.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The classroom instruction of the driver education course curriculum shall be taught by:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A certified instructor; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>An apprentice instructor under the supervision of an experienced certified instructor.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A certified school shall conduct the classroom instruction of the driver education course curriculum approved by the Administration in its entirety:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>According to the standards established by the Administration; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In the sequence approved by the Administration.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Other than items already in the approved curriculum, any textbooks, videos, worksheets, fact sheets, and any other supporting materials that students may use throughout the course shall be approved by the Administration before use.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>The maximum number of individuals a certified school may enroll for one driver education course may not exceed 30 individuals or the maximum number of students allowed under the pertinent zoning and fire codes, whichever is lower.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>A school:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Shall request approval in writing from the Administration for a class size greater then 30 students, even if permitted under fire and zoning codes, which approval may not be unreasonably withheld; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If denied approval for a class size greater than 30 students, may request a hearing under Transportation Article, §12-203, Annotated Code of Maryland, to demonstrate that approval of a class size greater than 30 students is reasonable.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>Individuals other than those enrolled in the driver education course may be permitted to be in the approved classroom during the classroom instruction as long as:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The posted maximum occupancy capacity for the room is not exceeded;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Visitors or observers present photo identification and sign a log form kept by the certified school;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>There are individual seats for everyone in the room; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The additional individuals do not interfere with or interrupt the instruction being provided.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Individuals permitted in the classroom during the classroom instruction other than those enrolled in the driver education course are:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Individuals making up missed classroom instruction;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Parents, guardians, or supervising drivers for individuals enrolled in the course;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Administration staff conducting compliance or quality assurance visits;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Approved instructor trainers conducting instructor certification courses;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A certified instructor supervising an apprentice instructor;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>An apprentice instructor;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>A certified school employee responsible for observing and evaluating the instructor's performance;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Parents or guardians of potential students interested in evaluating the instruction and operation of a certified school;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Individuals designated and approved by the Administration to evaluate or conduct research on the driver education program; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>An interpreter for the hearing impaired.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>A driver education school shall permit the Administration to enter the classroom and observe the instruction and operations of the classroom.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>A driver education school may not schedule classroom instruction:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>For more than 3 hours in one day;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>To start before 8 a.m. or after 8 p.m.; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>To end after 9:30 p.m.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="K.">
    <text>A minimum rest period of 15 minutes shall be provided to course participants at the end of each 90-minute period of instruction.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="L.">
    <text>The time provided for rest periods or meal intermissions may not be counted as classroom instructional time.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="M.">
    <text>Classroom instruction shall not exceed 3 hours per day.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="N.">
    <text>A certified school shall make up all missed classroom instruction if the scheduled instruction is canceled or postponed.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>