As a result of an outdated law and bureaucratic administrative practices, private driver education schools in Pennsylvania have been struggling to hire and certify the driving education instructors who help prepare many young people to become licensed drivers. While the industry has attempted to make process reforms over the last few years through administrative channels, it has become clear that a legislative remedy is needed to address the root causes of the problem.

My legislation, based upon prior bipartisan proposals in the House, would modernize how the Commonwealth grants licenses and regulates private driver education schools. Currently, private driver education schools are governed by the Private Driver Education or Training School Act of 1952, which vests regulatory authority in the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

My forthcoming bill would repeal the Private Driver Education or Training School Act of 1952 and transfer the responsibility for licensing private driver education schools and driver education instructors to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), consistent with the practice of most other states. PennDOT would be charged with developing an abbreviated license process for previous licensees and a relevant driver education instructor curriculum and test offered at multiple locations across the state.

Please join me in sponsoring this legislation to modernize our driving education instruction regulatory system.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1719: P.L.177, NO.175