Virginia Law

The standardized driver education program established by the Board of Education requires that teachers:

1. Hold a valid Virginia teaching license with an add-on endorsement or approved program endorsement in driver education; or, for in-car instruction, satisfy the paraprofessional training requirements;

2. Hold a valid Virginia driver's license; or, for teachers with valid out-of-state driver's licenses, provide the Department of Education with a copy of their driving record at the beginning of each semester, at the beginning of summer school, and when they receive a moving violation;

3. Have a broad background of driving experiences (two years minimum) in cities, rural roadways and highways;

4. Possess sound physical, mental and emotional qualities;

5. Have a satisfactory driving record; teachers who have accumulated six or more demerit points shall be removed from providing behind-the-wheel instruction for a period of 24 months, (no public or private school shall retain its driver education program approval by the Department of Education unless the teacher is removed;

6. Who have had their license suspended or revoked, or who have received a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrest or conviction, be immediately removed from any classroom or laboratory driver education teaching assignment;

7. Obtain parent/guardian permission to enroll a student in the laboratory phase of instruction;

8. Make every reasonable effort to protect students from injury;

9. Ensure the proper use of safety restraints by all persons occupying the driver education vehicle;

10. Ensure that the student driver has in his possession a valid Virginia learner's permit when operating a driver education vehicle;

11. Have at least two students, or no more than three students, in the car; however, when it is in the best interest of the student, and with prior written permission from the parents or legal guardians, one student may be scheduled for in-car instruction;

12. Shall not allow the driver education vehicle to be used by any student during on-street instruction without the teacher being in the vehicle providing direct instruction. If the vehicle is parked and students remain in the vehicle, the keys shall be removed by the teacher. In no event should the vehicle's engine remain running with students inside the vehicle without the teacher also being inside the vehicle; and

13. Shall not allow the driver education vehicle to be used during multiple-car range instruction without teacher supervision.