Regulation .34 Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Requirements.
Regulation .34 Behind-the-Wheel Instruction Requirements.LinkCopy Citation
A.
Under Transportation Article, §16-505, Annotated Code of Maryland, a student shall complete a minimum of 6 hours behind-the-wheel instruction.
B.
The behind-the-wheel instruction of the driver education program shall be taught by:
(1)
A certified instructor; or
(2)
An apprentice instructor under supervision of an experienced certified instructor.
C.
A certified school shall conduct the behind-the-wheel instruction of the driver education course curriculum only for a student that has a valid learner's permit.
D.
An instructor shall verify that the individual receiving the behind-the-wheel instruction has a valid learner's permit prior to providing the instruction.
E.
Certified schools shall conduct the behind-the-wheel instruction of the driver education course curriculum according to the standards established by the Administration.
F.
Behind-the-wheel instruction shall be conducted:
(1)
In an approved training vehicle as set forth in Regulation .33 of this chapter; and
(2)
On routes that:
(a)
Are preplanned, documented, and available at the driver education school office and in the training vehicle for review by the Administration;
(b)
Allow a student to practice the concepts taught in the classroom; and
(c)
Achieve the objectives of the approved curriculum of instruction.
G.
Behind-the-wheel instruction shall:
(1)
Be based on a written lesson plan with routes that support the concepts and objectives in the approved curriculum of instruction;
(2)
Provide a student with an opportunity to operate the training vehicle on a variety of traffic mixes and conditions;
(3)
Emphasize the knowledge, skills, and behavior needed to safely operate a motor vehicle;
(4)
Be scheduled in a manner that allows for:
(a)
Debriefing periods during the session for the instructor to review activities and evaluate performance;
(b)
A student to complete the learning activities in the approved sequence; and
(c)
A student to complete missed instruction in a reasonable time frame;
(5)
Include time for remedial and additional instruction as needed;
(6)
Include evaluation of a student's performance based on the learning objectives in the approved driver education curriculum; and
(7)
Include documentation of the evaluation results on a form approved by the Administration.
H.
Any time provided for rest periods or meal intermissions may not be counted as part of the minimum 6 hours behind-the-wheel instruction.
I.
The certified school shall develop a schedule and assign instructors and training vehicles so that individuals participating in a course may complete the required 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction within 18 weeks or longer on request of the student.
J.
Behind-the-wheel instruction for a student operating a training vehicle may not exceed 2 hours.
K.
An instructor shall be seated in the front passenger seat at all times during the behind-the-wheel instruction.
L.
During an enrolled student's behind-the-wheel instruction, only two observers at a time may be permitted to ride along and shall be limited to:
(1)
Students enrolled in the program;
(2)
Approved instructor trainers conducting instructor certification courses;
(3)
A certified instructor supervising an apprentice instructor;
(4)
An apprentice instructor;
(5)
Parents or guardians of students enrolled in the program;
(6)
A representative of the driving school management involved in a quality assurance function;
(7)
A representative from the Administration; or
(8)
An interpreter.
M.
Time spent observing an instructor or another student completing a behind-the-wheel instruction may not be counted as part of the minimum 6 hours behind-the-wheel instruction.