Virginia Law

A. Applicants for a Class A instructor's license shall possess a valid Virginia nonrestricted interstate commercial driver's license, with the appropriate vehicle classes and endorsements for the type of instruction they intend to provide, and that has been held by the applicant for at least three years.

Applicants for a Class A instructor's license who do not have a high school diploma may nevertheless be licensed if they provide evidence in a format prescribed by the department that they (i) have at least one year of previous Class A instructing experience or (ii) have successfully completed a Class A driver training course and a minimum of 160 hours of Class A instructor training provided by the hiring school.

Instructor applicants shall provide with their applications certifications that they meet the physical requirements, and any alcohol and drug screening requirements for commercial drivers as specified in the federal motor carrier safety regulations. A copy of such certification shall be kept in the instructor's file maintained by the driver training school employing the instructor.

If applicants for a Class A instructor's license hold a valid commercial driver's license (CDL) from a state other than Virginia at the time of licensing, they shall maintain a valid CDL throughout the entire licensure period and shall provide to the department a copy of their driving record from that other state or states upon application and, if licensed as a Class A instructor by the department, on a quarterly basis thereafter.

Those applicants for and holders of a Class A instructor's license shall also provide notice to the department in a format prescribed by the department of any conviction of traffic infractions, misdemeanors, or felonies, any administrative actions relating to driving or any driver's license revocation, suspension, cancellation, disqualification or other loss of driving privilege within 15 calendar days of the conviction or administrative action, or within 15 calendar days of the imposition of the revocation, suspension, cancellation, disqualification or other loss of driving privilege.

B. Instructors shall complete in-service instructor training provided by the school prior to offering student instruction. The requirements of such in-service instructor training shall be established and made available to licensed Class A schools by the department and shall include, but not be limited to, the following topic areas:

1. Basic instructional skills;

2. Student teaching with a mentor;

3. Background in federal, state and local laws and ordinances;

4. Basic skills for operating commercial motor vehicles;

5. Safe operating practices;

6. Maintenance of commercial motor vehicles; and

7. Safe trip planning.