The bill H.282 aims to establish a driver education and training course specifically for students participating in home study programs in Vermont. It mandates that the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and the Secretary of Education approve such courses, which must include a behind-the-wheel training component. The bill outlines the requirements for obtaining a junior operator's license, including the completion of an approved driver education course and a minimum of 40 hours of practice driving, with specific conditions regarding the instructor's qualifications and the student's age.

Key amendments to existing law include the addition of new sections that detail the approval process for driver education courses tailored for home study students, as well as the inclusion of specific instructional content related to the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving, motor vehicle liability insurance, and the environmental impacts of vehicle idling. The bill also requires the Commissioner to report on the driving records of junior operators who completed the new driver education course compared to those who completed traditional courses, with a deadline for this report set for November 15, 2029. The act is set to take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 23-607, 16-23