The bill acknowledges that since April 2020, the Rhode Island Department of Education has allowed driver education schools to deliver their approved driver training curriculum virtually due to temporary authorization. The virtual format includes interactive elements such as spot quizzes, Q&A sessions, class polling, and a final exam, with comparable scores to in-person exams. It also notes that virtual instruction can be beneficial for students with various challenges and promotes accessibility, equity, and inclusion, especially in areas without classroom instruction.

The bill amends Section 31-10-20 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10 entitled "Operators’ and Chauffeurs’ Licenses" to officially permit driver education courses to be conducted either in a classroom setting or in an instructor-led virtual format. This amendment applies to individuals under the age of eighteen who are seeking a limited-instruction permit or license. The bill also outlines the minimum requirements for a course to be recognized as equivalent to the state's program, including specific instructional hours and content, instructor qualifications, and the exclusion of out-of-classroom road test instruction for Rhode Island students. The act would take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
2903: 31-10-20