This bill amends Section 31-10-20 of the General Laws regarding driver education course requirements for individuals under eighteen years of age seeking a limited-instruction permit or license. It allows for the completion of driver education courses in either a traditional classroom setting or an instructor-led virtual format, which has been temporarily authorized since April 2020. The virtual format is recognized as equivalent to in-person instruction and is intended to enhance accessibility, particularly for students facing physical, emotional, or learning challenges, as well as those in rural areas where classroom instruction may not be available.

The bill specifies that the instructor-led virtual format will be permitted for a two-year period from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027. During this time, the state board of education is required to analyze and report on the test results of students who completed the virtual instruction compared to those who attended in-person classes, with the findings due by September 1, 2027. The bill also retains existing requirements for driver education courses, including specific instructional hours and content, while ensuring that individuals over eighteen with prior licensing experience are exempt from these educational requirements.