1. Students must be sixteen (16) years of age on or before the first day of class (lecture or behind-the-wheel). No waivers will be granted. Students must also posses a current NYS drivers license or permit to be enrolled in the program.
2. A student must complete at least 24 hours of lecture instruction and 24 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction within an approved DTSE program, and under the direct supervision of an appropriately credentialed DTSE teacher/instructor in order to be eligible to receive an MV-285 course completion certificate.
3. Schools must obtain the written consent of parents or guardians before enrolling a student in the course. This consent does not release the teachers or school authorities from responsibility, but it does ensure that the students are entering the course with the approval of their parents/guardians.
4. Students who are disruptive, aggressive, or who create an unsafe situation, may be disciplined in accordance with the school’s discipline policy; such disciplinary action may result in removal from the program.
5. Students must pass knowledge, and traffic sign and symbol tests given by the instructor before commencing any laboratory instruction. These tests shall be equivalent to tests given by the NYSDMV. A school may waive these tests if the student holds/presents a valid Permit or License.
6. Students that do not have a valid Permit or License must present evidence of passing a vision test (20/40 or better) administered within the last 12 months.
7. Students must not have any physical or mental disability which would interfere with the safe operation of a motor vehicle that cannot be controlled or corrected with reasonable accommodations to ensure the safe operation of a motor vehicle. School districts that offer an approved Driver & Traffic Safety Education course to their students are responsible for providing those services under equal access provisions of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to students with disabilities. Schools may not deny an otherwise qualified student with a disability, access to Driver & Traffic Safety Education solely because reasonable accommodations are necessary.
Note: All students should be encouraged to obtain a Permit in order to practice and improve driving skills with a licensed driver (at least 21 years of age) when classes are not in session.
9. Schools may establish local policy which requires students to submit a current health examination as a condition of enrollment.
10. Schools may establish local policy to determine student eligibility for enrollment in the course. Such policy should be equitable for all students to attain admittance in the program.