S.C. Code Regs. § § 90-109

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 11, November 22, 2024

Section 90-109 - Driver Training School Motor Vehicle Safety and Identification Requirements

A. Every motor vehicle used by a driver training school training for non-commercial driver's licenses in the course of driving instruction must be equipped with:

(1) Dual controls on the foot brake and the clutch, if any, enabling the driving instructor to control the vehicle in case of an emergency;

(2) Two inside rear-view mirrors, one for the student and one for the instructor's use (the vanity mirror located on the passenger side sun visor of most vehicles will not qualify as an additional rear view mirror for the instructor);

(3) An outside rear view mirror on both sides of the vehicle;

(4) All standard safety and operating equipment including tires, brakes, horn, and window glazing shall be in proper working order; seat belts for the operator of the vehicle, driving instructor, and all passengers;

(5) Cushions for the proper seating of the driver of the vehicles.

(6) If a driver training school undertakes to train persons who require special equipment to safely operate a motor vehicle, then vehicles used in the instruction of these persons must be equipped with the appropriate special operating equipment.

B. The vehicle used when training for non-commercial driver's licenses must be identified as a driving school vehicle

(1) With the name of the school and the words "Driver Training" readily identifiable from each side and;

(2) The rear of the vehicle shall have the words "Driver Training" on each side

(3) With lettering or printing at least two inches tall and one-half inches wide

C. Every motor vehicle used by a driver training school training for commercial driver's licenses must be owned, registered to, leased, or rented by the driver training school or the parent company or used under a contractual agreement with a commercial driver training school or parent company for training on public roads, must meet all Federal Annual Inspection requirements (49 CFR, 380.711) , and must meet the following requirements of the Department:

(1) Must be limited to a maximum of five (5) seats including the seat for the instructor;

(2) Equipped with seat belts for the operator and all passengers;

(3) Have the school name and the words "Driver Training" conspicuously displayed on both sides and the back of the vehicle using letters not less than two inches tall, with a one-half inch wide brush stroke. For vehicles which must operate at night, the words "Driver Training" must be reflective;

(4) If equipped with a seat in the sleeper, the seat must have a seat-back and seat belts that are properly secured;

(5) Documentation of vehicles used in training must be retained by the school for a period of three years to include vehicle registration, maintenance records and proof of insurance, which must be made available to the Department upon request;

(6) No school vehicle may be used to transport property or persons for compensation, other than properly enrolled students. Schools are allowed to add weight, as in a dummy load in the trailer for training purposes.

(7) Trucks used for training on public roadways complying with this Regulation and allowing for use of short-term rentals through leasing companies or other agreements with the school are not required to be updated on the vehicle list with the Department.

S.C. Code Regs. § 90-109

Added by State Register Volume 31, Issue No. 6, eff June 22, 2007; State Register Volume 45, Issue No. 05, eff. 5/28/2021; State Register Volume 46, Issue No. 06, eff. 6/24/2022.