Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-73

Current with legislation from the 2024 Regular and Special Sessions.

Section 14-73 - Instructor's license. Master instructor's license. Regulations

(a)

(1) No person shall be employed by a drivers' school to give instruction in driving a motor vehicle unless such person is licensed to act as an instructor or master instructor by the commissioner.

(2) The drivers' school employing an instructor's licensee or a master instructor's licensee shall be responsible for ensuring any such licensee is in compliance with the requirements of this part and any regulations adopted under section 14-78.

(b) Application for an instructor's license or a master instructor's license shall be in writing and shall contain such information as the commissioner requires. Each applicant for an instructor's license or a master instructor's license, or for any renewal thereof, shall be fingerprinted and shall furnish evidence satisfactory to the commissioner that such applicant:

(1) Is of good moral character considering such person's state and national criminal history records checks conducted in accordance with section 29-17a, and record, if any, on the state child abuse and neglect registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. If any applicant for a license or the renewal of a license has a criminal record or is listed on the state child abuse and neglect registry, the commissioner shall make a determination of whether to issue or renew an instructor's license or master instructor's license in accordance with the standards and procedures set forth in section 14-44 and the regulations adopted pursuant to said section;

(2) has held a license to drive a motor vehicle for the past five consecutive years and has a driving record satisfactory to the commissioner, including no record of a conviction or administrative license suspension for a drug or alcohol-related offense during such five-year period;

(3) has passed a physical examination, administered not more than ninety days prior to the date of application, by a physician, physician assistant or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed to practice within the state and the physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse certifies that the applicant is physically fit to operate a motor vehicle and provide instruction in driving;

(4) has received a high school diploma or has an equivalent academic education; and

(5) has completed an instructor training course of forty-five clock hours given by a school or agency approved by the commissioner, except that any such course given by an institution under the jurisdiction of the board of trustees of the Connecticut State University System shall be approved by the commissioner and the State Board of Education. During the period of licensure, an instructor shall notify the commissioner, within forty-eight hours, of an arrest or conviction for a misdemeanor or felony, or an arrest, conviction or administrative license suspension for a drug or alcohol-related offense. Upon such notification, the commissioner may suspend, revoke or withdraw the instructor's license or master instructor's license pursuant to the provisions of section 14-79.

(c) The commissioner may deny the application of any person for an instructor's license or a master instructor's license if the commissioner determines that the applicant has made a material false statement or concealed a material fact in connection with such person's application for the instructor's license or master instructor's license.

(d) The commissioner shall conduct such written, oral and practical examinations, as the commissioner deems necessary, to determine whether an applicant has sufficient skill in the operation of motor vehicles to ensure their safe operation, a satisfactory knowledge of the motor vehicle laws and the ability to impart such skill and knowledge to others. If the applicant successfully completes the examinations and meets all other requirements of this section, the commissioner shall issue an instructor's license or a master instructor's license, as the case may be, to such applicant. The license shall be valid for use only in connection with a drivers' school or schools licensed pursuant to section 14-69. If the applicant fails the examination, such applicant may apply for reexamination after five days. The license and the license renewal shall be valid for two years.

(e) The licensee shall be reexamined periodically in accordance with standards specified in regulations adopted under section 14-78.

(f) The commissioner may establish, by regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, standards and procedures for the training and licensing of master instructors who are qualified to train driving instructors.

(g) The fee for an instructor's license, or for any renewal thereof, shall be one hundred dollars. The fee for a master instructor's license, or for any renewal thereof, shall be two hundred dollars. If the commissioner has not received a complete renewal application and fee on or before the expiration date of an applicant's license, such applicant shall be charged, in addition to the renewal fee, a late fee in an amount equal to the fee for such applicant's license. The commissioner shall not renew an instructor's license or a master instructor's license that has expired for more than sixty days and the holder of any such expired license may apply for a new license in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(h) An instructor's licensee or a master instructor's licensee shall prominently display or wear an identification badge issued by the employing drivers' school at all times when providing classroom or behind-the-wheel instruction. Such identification badge shall include the licensee's name, photograph and license number, the expiration date of such license and the name of the employing drivers' school. The employing drivers' school shall be responsible for ensuring an instructor's licensee and master instructor's licensee wears such identification badge in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.

(i) Any person who is not licensed in accordance with this section shall be guilty of a class B misdemeanor if such person:

(1) Engages in the business of providing, for compensation, instruction in driving a motor vehicle; or

(2) is employed by a drivers' school to give instruction in driving a motor vehicle.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-73

(1957, P.A. 507, S. 6; 1971, P.A. 456, S. 1; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 19; P.A. 73-252; P.A. 76-379; P.A. 78-355, S. 2; P.A. 83-587, S. 28, 96; P.A. 84-254, S. 46, 62; 84-429, S. 27; 84-546, S. 42, 173; P.A. 86-90, S. 2; P.A. 91-256 , S. 65 , 69 ; P.A. 02-70 , S. 31 ; P.A. 04-182 , S. 10 ; P.A. 08-150 , S. 11 ; P.A. 10-110 , S. 39 ; P.A. 11-213 , S. 25 ; P.A. 12-81 , S. 43 ; P.A. 13-271 , S. 28 ; P.A. 14-130 , S. 20 ; P.A. 16-39 , S. 10 .)

Amended by P.A. 24-0020,S. 8 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2024 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2024.

Amended by P.A. 22-0044, S. 5 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2022 Regular Session, eff. 7/1/2022.

Amended by P.A. 21-0196, S. 12 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2021 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2021.

Amended by P.A. 16-0039, S. 10 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2016 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2016.

Amended by P.A. 14-0130, S. 20 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2014 Regular Session, eff. 7/1/2014.