Rule 10.13.410 - TRAFFIC EDUCATION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS(1) Traffic education performance standards describe students' knowledge, skills, and abilities in the driver education content area. These descriptions provide a picture or profile of student achievement at the four performance levels: competent, proficient, nearing proficiency, and novice. These standards are not exhaustive indications of performance, but demonstrate a range of skill and knowledge relative to the established standards and identified benchmarks.(2) A driver at the competent level: (a) exhibits strong knowledge and driving skills related to safely navigating roadways and interacting with other roadway users;(b) shows consistent performance, driving behavior that is largely automatic, and exhibits driving behaviors safely and correctly in many different kinds of driving situations;(c) knows and adheres to the laws governing driving in Montana as demonstrated by habitually and consistently following the laws while driving;(d) knows and adheres to the highway transportation system as demonstrated by habitually driving consistent with the system;(e) always responsibly, properly, and smoothly operates a vehicle;(f) consistently researches ideas and opportunities to increase personal knowledge of the vehicle, the highway transportation system, and the driving task;(g) habitually knows and responsibly applies defensive driving principles;(h) has acquired behind-the-wheel driving experience in various environments and road conditions for a period of time that exceeds the state minimum standards and graduated driver license requirements; and(i) resists peer pressure, which may negatively influence good, responsible driving behavior.(3) A driver at the proficient level: (a) exhibits solid academic and driving skill performance for each benchmark;(b) has demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter, including subject-matter knowledge, application of such knowledge to real-world situations, and analytical skills appropriate to safe driving;(c) shows more consistent performance, but still uses conscious effort to demonstrate responsible and safe driving behavior;(d) demonstrates and consistently applies laws pertaining to driving;(e) consistently uses risk-managing driving principles;(f) demonstrates mastery of safe and responsible driving habits and attitudes;(g) performs satisfactorily in obtaining the minimum number of behind-the-wheel hours with an approved driver education teacher;(h) consistently interacts appropriately with other operators and traffic in various driving situations;(i) demonstrates basic skills needed to interact safely with the highway transportation system;(j) demonstrates appropriate visual skills needed to safely operate a motor vehicle;(k) demonstrates habits and attitudes necessary to communicate and interact with the highway transportation system utilizing effective, safe practices; and(l) understands the laws that pertain to owning and operating a motor vehicle.(4) A driver at the nearing proficiency level: (a) exhibits partial mastery or prerequisite knowledge and driving skills fundamental for proficient work at each benchmark;(b) demonstrates partial mastery of the knowledge and skills fundamental for responsible and safe driving;(c) shows inconsistent performance and must use conscious effort;(d) understands that the laws of Montana, counties, and cities can differ;(e) demonstrates a limited ability to use risk-managing driving principles;(f) shows limited knowledge of motor vehicle laws while driving a motor vehicle;(g) most of the time shows proficiency of safe and responsible driving techniques and attitudes;(h) performs in a limited manner after obtaining the minimum number of behind-the-wheel hours with an approved driver education teacher;(i) with assistance, can use basic skills needed to interact safely with the highway transportation system; and(j) with assistance, demonstrates the visual skills needed to operate a motor vehicle.(5) A driver at the novice level:(a) is beginning to attain the prerequisite knowledge and driving skills that are fundamental for work at each benchmark;(b) is just beginning to acquire the knowledge and skill needed for safe and responsible driving;(c) shows weak driving skills, must use full concentration, and is easily distracted;(d) struggles with traffic in various driving situations, even with assistance;(e) is rarely able to use the risk-managing driving skills;(f) has difficulty interacting with others in a safe, courteous manner;(g) demonstrates limited understanding of the highway transportation system;(h) rarely demonstrates the visual skills needed to operate a motor vehicle;(i) shows little understanding of the local and state laws of Montana;(j) with assistance, has begun to drive in rural, urban, and residential environments;(k) has begun to learn signs, signals, and pavement markings;(l) has difficulty in comprehending and applying vehicle laws while driving a motor vehicle within a supervised environment;(m) demonstrates a limited proficiency of safe and responsible driving techniques and attitudes; and(n) performs at a beginning level after obtaining the minimum number of behind-the-wheel hours with an approved driver education teacher.Mont. Admin. r. 10.13.410
NEW, 2012 MAR p. 76, Eff. 1/13/12.20-7-502, MCA; IMP, 20-7-502, MCA;