DATE:
August 13, 2021
TO:
High School Principals
Assistant Principals Responsible for Driver Education
FROM:
Brad Sorensen, Administrator of Schools
SUBJECT:
Behind-The-Wheel & Testing Clarifications
We recently received clarification from the USBE regarding Behind-The-Wheel instruction and testing of students to receive their Driver License. Please make sure that your instructors are aware of the expectations (53-3-505.5) when it comes to the required six hours as outlined in state code.
A simple practice to meet the state’s requirements regarding the six hours of Behind-The-Wheel training could be the following:
- 4 – 45-minute sessions of road driving and observation to equal at least 3 hours
- 3 – Two Hour sessions on the driving range for a total of six hours (2 hours of range equals 1 hour of behind-the-wheel)
Additionally, we want to make sure that all Road Exams take place after the six hours of Behind-The-Wheel instruction has been completed. As a district, we recognize that we are not required to offer the Road Exam but as a courtesy to our community and the DLD, we want all students to have the opportunity to take the Road Exam at least once with our endorsed examiners who are registered on the SDC System.
According to the DLD and USBE, a Road Exam will take between 20-30 minutes to administer and must be administered by someone different than the road instructor. We recognize that this may require some adjustments to your current practices but we would like all schools to make the necessary adjustments prior to the beginning of the second quarter of the 2021-22 school year.
Schools may want to consider designating one person to exclusively be the examiner that administers the Road Exam for your school if possible.
For more immediate updated information regarding Driver Education, please refer to the USBE website.
