Section R708-2-11 - Classroom and Behind-The-Wheel Instruction(1) Classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction shall be conducted by an individual who is licensed as a commercial driver training school instructor as specified in this rule.(2) The commercial driver training school instructor license shall be in the possession of the instructor each time behind-the-wheel or classroom instruction is provided.(3) Unless the division grants approval to a commercial driver training school to provide classroom instruction conducted by an unlicensed expert, such as a police officer on a limited basis, the school may not conduct classroom or behind-the-wheel instruction or allow another individual to conduct classroom or behind-the-wheel instruction without a commercial driver training school instructor license.(4) Commercial driver training schools shall provide each student a copy of the current Utah Driver Handbook. The handbook may not be used as the sole text of the course, but as an essential aid when traffic laws are studied. Handbooks may be obtained from the division.(5) Instructors shall not use or do anything that may distract their attention away from the classroom instruction, or the student driver during behind-the-wheel instruction, such as use of phones or other electronic devices, reading, sleeping, or helping walk-in customers while conducting any classroom training.(6) Classroom instruction shall meet or exceed 18 hours and shall be conducted in not less than nine separate class sessions, of two hours each, on nine separate days.(7) Each classroom session shall be numbered to be identified on the student record.(8) Classroom curriculum shall not be repeated in any of the nine sessions except in the form of a review of materials covered in a previous classroom session. The time frame allotted for review shall not exceed ten minutes per classroom session.(9) Not more than five of the classroom hours shall be devoted to showing slides or films.(10) Classroom instruction shall cover the following areas:(a) attitude and physical characteristics of drivers;(b) driving laws with special emphasis on Utah law;(c) driving in urban, suburban and rural areas;(e) basic maintenance of the motor vehicle;(f) effect of drugs and alcohol on driving;(g) motorcycles, bicycles, trucks and pedestrians in traffic; (i) Utah's motor vehicle laws regarding financial responsibility and no fault insurance, and a driver's responsibility when involved in an accident;(j) suspension or revocation of a driver license; and (k) information on improving air quality and reducing emissions.(11) Schools shall update their curriculum annually with any new laws or changes to a current law that will affect drivers. Any changes to the curriculum shall be submitted to the division for approval.(12) Behind-the-wheel instruction includes instruction a student receives while driving a commercial driver training vehicle or while operating a driving simulator.(13) Behind-the-wheel instruction may not be conducted for a student unless the student has been issued a learner permit by the division or the student is in possession of a valid driver license or temporary permit issued by the division, or a valid out of state or out of country driver license.(14) While conducting behind-the-wheel instruction, students and instructors shall adhere to any driving restrictions listed on the learner permit or driver license.(15) A student shall receive a minimum of six hours of instruction in a dual-control vehicle with a licensed instructor.(16) Students may receive behind-the-wheel training in a driving simulator as specified in Section 53-3-505.5 to satisfy the requirements under Subsection R708-2-11(15).(17) Each student shall be limited to a maximum of either two hours of behind-the-wheel instruction or two hours of simulation instruction per day.(18) An instructor shall not conduct more than ten hours of behind-the-wheel instruction within a period of 24 hours and must have at least eight consecutive hours of off-duty time between each ten hour shift.(19) The instructor and no more than one student shall occupy the front seat of the vehicle. Under no circumstances shall there be more than five individuals in the vehicle.(20) Behind-the-wheel instruction shall include student practice in using vehicle controls to start, shift gears, make right and left turns, stop, backup, and park. This instruction shall begin under relatively simple conditions and progress until the student has acquired reasonable skill in operating the vehicle under varying traffic conditions.(21) Students shall receive experience in driving on urban streets, open highways, or freeways. Behind-the-wheel instruction shall include the experience of driving under variable conditions that may be used by the instructor at different times of the day and year. Special emphasis should be given to teaching students to show courtesy to other drivers and pedestrians.(22) Students may receive observation training at the discretion of the school however; it is not required to obtain a driver license.Utah Admin. Code R708-2-11
Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2021-24, effective 12/9/2021