La. Admin. Code tit. 55 § III-154

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 12, December 20, 2024

Section III-154 - Driver Education Curriculum

A. The curriculum contained in this Subchapter was obtained from documents provided by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for Novice Teen Driver Education and Training Administrative Standards. It was prepared by the Driving School Association of the Americas and meets the current recommended national standards.

1. The curriculum as provided in these rules shall be covered in its entirety.

2. The order in which the topics are presented and the manner in which they are presented are left up to the discretion and teaching strategies of each school.

3. Each school will be responsible for utilizing its creative license to present the course in such a manner the students will absorb and retain the information presented.

4. Media resources may be used to augment the program's curriculum. All media resources shall relate to the topic presented and shall not contain any offensive or inappropriate subject matter. A master list of media resources shall be maintained in the schools records.

B. The Louisiana Driver Guide for Class D/E License will include the curriculum utilized in the 30- and 6-hour classroom course and will be made available to students and/or schools from DPS.

C. Core Curriculum

1. Chapter 1: Introduction to Driving. This chapter will describe the requirements to obtain a Louisiana drivers license and general nature of the driving task in the complex highway transportation system (HTS), while recognizing the importance and seriousness of the highway safety problem. The many interactions of the three major elements of the HTS, roads, vehicles and people, result in a large number of diverse traffic situations and problems:

a. Louisiana process for earning the privilege to drive:

i. age requirements;

ii. organ donation;

iii. selective service;

iv. graduated license program; and

b. highway transportation system:

i. the traffic safety problem (instructional objective-to develop an understanding of the nature of the traffic safety problem and to instill in each student a sense of responsibility for its solution):

(a). identification of the overall traffic problems in the United States and Louisiana, as well as the local jurisdiction where the course is being taught;

(b). death, injuries and economic loss resulting from motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana; and

(c). five leading causes of motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana as identified by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Public Safety Services;

ii. careless and/or reckless operation;

iii. failure to yield;

iv. following too closely;

v. speeding;

vi. unknown/unspecified;

vii. each year the current statistics can be obtained from http://datareports.lsu.edu;

c. driving in the highway transportation system (instructional objective-understanding highway traffic systems and the driver's responsibilities):

i. make-up of a complex system:

(a). number and types of elements;

(b). continuous interaction of elements; and

(c). need for regulations and control;

ii. number and types of traffic units:

(a). kinds of vehicles and its condition;

(b). characteristics of drivers;

(c). pedestrians and animals; and

(d). traffic volumes and congestion;

iii. number and types of highways:

(a). design features;

(b). conditions and maintenance; and

(c). environmental settings;

iv. number and types of traffic controls:

(a). signs and signals;

(b). roadway markings; and

(c). written laws.

2. Chapter 2: Vehicle Components and Operation. What can a motor vehicle do or not do in a given situation? The more drivers know about a car's maneuvering and performance capabilities, the better they can handle emergencies. Drivers will also be better prepared to predict the probable actions of other drivers:

a. proper use of safety restraint systems:

i. law of physics:

(a). momentum;

(b). inertia;

(c). kinetic energy;

(d). gravity;

(e). friction; and

(f). force of impact;

ii. proper safety belt position; and

iii. jurisdictional laws and driver responsible for compliance of all passengers in the vehicle;

b. safe and proper use of basic vehicle equipment:

i. control devices;

ii. instruments and warning indicators;

iii. devices that aid visibility;

iv. safety devices;

v. comfort devices;

vi. anti-theft devices;

vii. communication devices; and

viii. traction control devices;

c. safe and proper pre-trip checks:

i. maintaining your vehicle (instructional objective-a well maintained vehicle is safer to drive):

(a). vehicle inspection;

(b). preventive maintenance-brakes, tires, steering/suspension, under the hood;

(c). fuel economy-vehicle choice and maintenance, driving habits; and

(d). planning a trip-preparing vehicle and yourself;

ii. friction:

(a). speed for conditions;

(b). effect of road surfaces on stopping;

(c). seasonal changes and road surfaces; and

(d). tire types and conditions;

d. vehicle handling. Safe and responsible vehicle control:

i. controlling the vehicle safely and responsibly:

(a). hand position;

(b). visual tracking;

(c). steering control and over steering and understeering;

(d). seating position;

(e). starting and accelerating;

(f). speed control;

(g). deceleration and braking and comparison of ABS systems, power brakes and standard actions;

(h). changing lanes;

(i). parking brake;

(j). parking;

(k). changing direction and turns;

(l). passing;

(m). following distance;

(n). right-of-way maneuvers;

(o). turns;

(p). cornering;

(q). highway and freeway driving; and

(r). urban and rural driving;

ii. safe and responsible handling of the vehicle under various conditions:

(a). weight management;

(b). time management;

(c). space management;

(d). stopping distances;

(e). braking distances;

(f). following too closely;

(g). speed for conditions;

(h). effect of road surfaces on stopping;

(i). seasonal changes and road surfaces; and

(j). tire types and conditions;

iii. safe and responsible driving to avoid crashes:

(a). crash avoidance habits and basic evasive maneuvers.

3. Chapter 3: Perception and Risk Management-to Develop Knowledge, Appreciation, and Skills Related to Perception and Risk Management and How They Contribute to Safe and Responsible Driving

a. Safe and proper observation skills:

i. what and where to observe and when:

(a). 360 degree vision;

(b). distance scanning and judgment;

(c). peripheral vision;

(d). blind spots;

(e). visual obstructions; and

(f). limits of observation;

ii. how to observe:

(a). active attention;

(b). shoulder checks;

(c). peripheral vision; and

(d). mirrors;

iii. visual search and scanning to detect potential hazards:

(a). distinguish hazards from typical occurrences;

(b). scanning patterns under all conditions; and

(c). detecting potential path deviations;

iv. potential hazards of driving and effective responses:

(a). vehicle malfunctions;

(b). weather/environmental conditions;

(c). road conditions;

(d). railroad crossings;

(e). vehicle conditions;

(f). distractions inside the vehicle;

(g). distractions outside the vehicle;

(h). other road users and air turbulence from large vehicles;

(i). unpredictable driving behavior;

(j). driving error resulting in danger to self and to other road users; and

(k). detection and recovery from skidding and sliding-principles of skid control and slide control.

b. Effective decision making to ensure safe driving:

i. hazard perception, decision making, and judgment:

(a). scan, identifying problems, predicting outcomes, deciding action and executing decisions (SIPDE);

(b). using the SIPDE process-avoiding, separating and handling hazards, managing time, speed and space, following and stopping distance; and

(c). trouble spots limiting use of SIPDE process-limited visibility, traction, space;

ii. using decision making skills to drive safely:

(a). evaluate whether or not to drive;

(b). anticipate what might happen;

(c). predict possible solutions;

(d). prioritize situations and solutions;

(e). make appropriate choices under pressure;

(f). identify consequences;

(g). make multiple decisions quickly; and

(h). develop a hierarchy of responses to various situations and alternative responses.

4. Chapter 4: Traffic Laws. Without good traffic laws and enforcement, the safe and efficient movement of traffic on our highways would not be possible. Traffic laws are of little value if they are not understood and voluntarily followed.

a. Safety

i. Traffic laws for safety (instructional objective-familiarization with traffic and vehicle laws and to influence drivers to comply with laws on a voluntary basis):

(a). seat belt usage and child restraints;

(b). right-of-way rules;

(c). speed laws;

(d). special safety laws-DWI, implied consent, open container, post-collision procedures;

(e). texting/cell phone usage;

(f). driving while fatigued/under duress or stress;

(g). emergency vehicles; and

(h). multi-lane highways and left lane usage.

ii. Compliance with traffic control devices as a foundation for safe and responsible driving and traffic control devices:

(a). signs;

(b). signals;

(c). markings; and

(d). railroad crossings.

iii. Major traffic law violations:

(a). reckless homicide;

(b). reckless driving;

(c). driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and

(d). driving without a license.

b. Other issues:

i. other law violations:

(a). financial responsibility/compulsory insurance;

(b). littering; and

(c). possessing, obtaining, or using a fraudulent driver's license, or identification card.

ii. Alcohol, other drugs, and driving:

(a). drug use and abuse-dangers, cautions, effects;

(b). alcohol and the driver-effects; and

(c). responsibilities as a driver, passenger, host, person.

5. Chapter 5: Driver Behavior-to Develop Knowledge, Appreciation, and Skills Related to Driver Behavior and How It Contributes to Safe, Responsible, and Incident-Free Driving

a. Assessment and reactions:

i. accurate assessment of driving environments, road conditions and appropriate adjustment of driving behavior:

(a). adjusting driving behavior for different driving conditions;

ii. controlled emotional reactions related to driving:

(a). potential effects on driver decision making; and

(b). recognizing internal cues and control responses;

iii. positive driving attitudes and behavior.

b. Personal factors and influence:

i. personal driving values and beliefs;

ii. motives that influence driving;

iii. how motives change under different circumstances; and

iv. how values, beliefs, and motives influence attitudes toward driving.

c. Social factors and influence:

i. influence of advertising;

ii. social attitudes towards cars and driving;

iii. influence of other peoples driving habits; and

iv. peer pressure and driving.

d. Resisting negative pressures:

i. personal value of resisting negative pressures;

ii. resist negative informal pressures;

iii. resist negative media and commercial messages; and

iv. entertainment media use of driving imagery.

e. Positive driving attitudes:

i. driving is a privilege not a right;

ii. overcoming negative motives;

iii. driving courteously;

iv. cooperative driving; and

v. impact of driver behavior on other road users.

f. Responsible and informed decision making:

i. how formal rules of the road, common safe practices of road users, and informed decision making contribute to safe and responsible driving;

ii. approaches to decision making;

iii. importance of good decision making; and

iv. consequences of poor decision making.

g. Environmentally conscious and efficient driving behavior:

i. fuel efficiency;

ii. mandatory emissions testing (inspection stickers);

iii. proper disposal of cars, fluids, batteries, and tires;

iv. littering;

v. planning safer and more efficient activities and routes; and

vi. economic benefits of driving efficiently.

6. Chapter 6: Sharing the Road. To develop knowledge, appreciation, and skills to related to effectively interacting with other road-users and how it contributes to safe, responsible, and incident-free driving:

a. cooperative driving:

i. sharing the road in a safe and considerate manner;

ii. understanding other road-users needs;

iii. passing safely;

iv. space management;

v. benefits of cooperative and courteous driving;

vi. pedestrians, animals and bicycles;

vii. sharing the road with school buses;

viii. sharing the road with motorcycles and mopeds;

ix. sharing the road with commercial vehicles;

x. sharing the road with law enforcement and emergency vehicles; and

xi. cooperative interstate driving;

b. appropriate communication with other road users:

i. communicating effectively with other road users; and

ii. habits and attitudes related to effective communication;

c. consistently communicate driving intentions;

d. adjusting communication based on observation of the driving environment and other road users;

e. towing a vehicle; and

f. safety tips for driving with a trailer.

7. Chapter 7: Attention-to Develop Knowledge, Appreciation, and Skills Related to Attention and How It Contributes to Safe, Responsible, and Incident-Free Driving

a. Safe and responsible actions related to impaired driving:

i. types of impairment:

(a). drug;

(b). alcohol;

(c). fatigue;

(d). drowsy driving;

(e). illness;

(f). medication;

(g). mental stress; and

(h). combination of multiple impairments;

ii. effects of impairment:

(a). impaired judgment; and

(b). lack of attention/alertness;

iii. myths and facts related to impairment; and

iv. consequences of impaired driving:

(a). personal and social consequences- responsibilities of a driver, passenger, host and person; and

(b). legal and economic consequences.

b. Managed driver distraction:

i. distracted driving:

(a). distraction inside the vehicle; and

(b). distractions outside the vehicle;

ii. managing attention:

(a). switching attention;

(b). divided attention;

(c). focused attention; and

(d). sustained attention.

8. Chapter 8: Respect and Responsibility-to Develop Knowledge, Appreciation, and Skills Related to Respectful and Responsible Driving Attitudes and How They Contribute to Safe, Responsible, and Incident-Free Driving

a. Safe and Responsible Response to Emergency Situations

i. Responding to emergency situations:

(a). minor or major motor vehicle crashes;

(b). arriving at the scene of a crash;

(c). being stopped by a law enforcement officer, including, but not limited to the following:

(i). instruction concerning law enforcement procedures for traffic stops;

(ii). instruction on the importance of officers, drivers, and passengers maintain integrity and respect during traffic stops;

(iii). demonstrations of appropriate interactions with law enforcement; and

(iv). demonstrations of the proper actions to be taken during traffic stops;

(d). yielding to an emergency vehicle; and

(e). vehicle malfunctions.

b. Leadership in Promoting Safe Driving

i. Being a safe, respectful, and responsible driver:

(a). being a leader in safety restraint use and promote it in others;

(b). being fit to drive and promote it in others; and,

(c). being caring and empathetic towards other road-users.

ii. Conflict avoidance regardless of fault:

(a). respecting other road-users safety margins; and

(b). avoiding road rage in yourself and others.

c. Respect for the Environment as it Relates to Operating a Vehicle

i. Environmentally conscious and efficient driving behavior:

(a). fuel efficiency;

(b). mandatory emissions testing;

(c). proper disposal of cars, fluids, batteries, and tires;

(d). littering;

(e). planning safer and more efficient activities and routes; and

(f). economic benefits of driving efficiently.

d. Lifelong Learning Approach to Driving

i. The driver as a lifelong learner:

(a). factors that contribute to changes in driving skill;

(b). changing motor vehicle technology;

(c). changing driving practices and laws; and

(d). the aging driving population.

9. Chapter 9: Defensive Driving:

a. five leading causes of collisions:

b. basic maneuvers for avoiding collisions:

i. tactical maneuvers; and

ii. mental skills;

c. major driving errors:

i. compensating for another drivers error;

d. counter measures for driver physical conditions:

i. fatigue;

ii. illness;

iii. physical impairments;

iv. stress; and

v. trip fatigue.

10. Chapter 10: Summation and Review- Comprehensive Summation of Chapter(s)/Chapter Test(s) and Knowledge Test. Upon completion of the classroom course and review of the chapters, the school shall administer the knowledge test.

D. Eight-Hour Behind-the-Wheel Curriculum

1. The behind-the-wheel portion of the curriculum will be limited to no more than 4 hours behind-the-wheel for each student daily with a 15-minute break after 2 hours driving time. This shall be required on any drive that is scheduled over 2 hours for that driving session. There shall be no more than two students in the vehicle with the instructor. Upon completion of the behind-the-wheel portion, a skills assessment shall be performed by the instructor. A behind the wheel assessment test shall be administered and the student shall attain a minimum score of 70 points or more to pass.

2. In lieu of a behind the wheel assessment, a road skills test may be administered and the student shall attain a minimum score of 80 points or more to pass. This provision is offered to students that are 18 years or older and who's instructor determines their skill level is high enough to go straight to a driver's license.

3. Practical instruction shall include, at a minimum, the demonstration of and actual instructions in the following maneuvers:

a. vehicle checks:

i. pre-trip vehicle inspection-outside/inside vehicle;

b. turning skills:

i. steering; and

ii. turn signals;

c. intersection awareness:

i. traffic signals;

ii. driving through;

iii. stops; and

iv. right of way laws;

d. lane changes;

e. signs, lanes, and signals;

f. traffic signals;

g. space management;

h. S.I.P.D.E. process;

i. parking skills;

j. reversing skills;

k. turnabouts;

l. city driving;

m. expressway;

n. areas of high risk:

i. shared left turn lane;

ii. median crossover;

iii. service roads;

iv. off-road recovery;

v. head-on collisions;

vi. poor weather;

vii. skid recovery;

viii. controlled braking; and

ix. night time driving;

o. railroad crossings;

p. emergency vehicles;

q. school buses; and

r. breakdown/collision.

4. The instructor shall gauge the driver's proficiency and provide feedback on the following skills:

a. observation;

b. communication;

c. speed adjustment;

d. vehicle positioning;

e. time and space management; and

f. hazard perception.

5. Student Assessment. During the last driving session with the student, the instructor shall perform a skills test to determine the student's ability to safely operate a vehicle. A minimum score of 70 points shall be attained to pass the driver education course.

6. Upon completion of the eight-hour behind-the-wheel course, the instructor shall complete an in-depth assessment of the student's performance over each maneuver and skills covered above. The assessment shall be provided to the student and parent (if a minor) as a tool to continue driving instruction:

a. visual search;

b. space management;

c. appropriate speed choices;

d. attention (distractions);

e. emergency evasive actions;

f. physical control of the vehicle;

g. pre-trip preparation;

h. backing up;

i. accelerating and braking;

j. left turn;

k. right turn;

l. proper lane usage;

m. lane change;

n. obeying traffic signs and signals; and

o. stopping.

7. The driver education certificate of completion shall be completed when a student has attained a minimum score of 80 percent on the knowledge test and a minimum score of 70 points on the eight-hour behind-the-wheel portion of the course.

E. Six-Hour Pre-Licensing Course

1. The pre-licensing course requires 6 hours of classroom instruction covering the topics outlined above under Subsection I, "Program of Instruction/Course Content." No more than 1 1/2 hours (25 percent) of the course may consist of audiovisual instruction. A minimum of 4 1/2 hours (75 percent) shall consist of formalized instruction which may be a combination of lecture, computer format plus classroom discussion. The audiovisuals may include such aids as films, slides or videos specifically designed to supplement the formalized instruction.

2. Six-Hour Curriculum. The 6-hour pre-licensing course shall utilize a condensed version of the 30-hour classroom course and shall cover the basic components of each chapter outlined in the 30-hour classroom course.

3. Comprehensive Summation of Curriculum Chapters and Knowledge Test. Upon completion of the classroom course and review of the chapters, the school shall administer the knowledge test.

4. Eight-Hour Behind-the-Wheel Curriculum. The eight-hour behind-the-wheel curriculum shall be done in the same manner and under the same conditions as provided in §154 D

5. The driver education certificate of completion shall be completed when a student has attained a minimum score of 80 percent on the knowledge test and a minimum score of 70 points on the eight-hour behind-the-wheel assessment or 80 points on the road skills test.

La. Admin. Code tit. 55, § III-154

Promulgated by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, Office of Motor Vehicles, LR 38:1985 (August 2012), amended LR 38:3235 (December 2012), Amended LR 431773 (9/1/2017), Amended LR 501008 (7/1/2024).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 32:402.1(A) (1) and R.S. 40:1461.