Section 1060.181  Teen Accreditation Classroom and Behind-the-Wheel Requirements

 

a)         Course Objectives.  The educational objectives of driver education shall include, but not be limited to, promoting respect for and encouraging observance of traffic laws and traffic safety responsibilities of drivers and citizens, reducing traffic violations, reducing traffic-related injuries, deaths and economic losses, and motivating continuing development of traffic related competencies through education, including, but not limited to, Illinois traffic law, risk management, driver attitudes, courtesy skills, evasive driving techniques and informing participants about the effects of alcohol and other drugs on driving ability. 

 

b)         Classroom Instruction – For Persons under the Age of 18

 

1)         General Provisions 

 

A)        Classroom instruction shall consist of a minimum of 30 hours of instruction.

 

B)        Classroom courses are limited to two hours per day, per student.

 

C)        No more than one classroom course may be taught during the same time period in the same classroom.  The number of students in each classroom session shall not exceed 30 students, except if the size of the classroom exceeds 350 square feet, a maximum of 35 students shall be allowed.

 

D)        Each student shall be informed prior to the time instruction begins of any fees or charges made for enrollments or registration, tuition, use of equipment, text and reference materials, supplies, and any service, equipment or materials provided by the commercial driving school.

 

E)        Each student shall be enrolled in either a Defined Time Frame Course or a Sequential Course.

 

2)         Defined Time Frame Course

 

A)        A listing of all students enrolled in each Defined Time Frame Course, including the times and dates the class will meet, shall be submitted, in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of State, to the Commercial Driver Training School Section, within 3 days after the third day of classroom instruction. A certificate of completion shall not be issued to any student whose name has not been submitted.

 

B)        Each Defined Time Frame Course must be distributed regularly over a minimum period of four complete weeks and must have definite starting and completion dates. Late registrations shall not be accepted beyond the third day of the course, at which time the course must be closed to further enrollments.

 

C)        No Defined Time Frame Course enrollment shall exceed 30 students, except that, if the size of the classroom exceeds 350 square feet, a maximum of 35 students shall be allowed.

 

D)        Late registrants and absentees shall be given make-up instruction and assignments. No school shall permit a student to be absent from more than 4 class sessions (8 clock hours) without requiring the student to re-enroll in a later course and to start over.

 

E)        Instruction for each student in a Defined Time Frame Course shall take place on the dates, times and locations designated on the Secretary of State enrollment form unless the course is cancelled and the student is refunded any fees already paid.

 

3)         Sequential Module Course

 

A)        Students enrolled in a Sequential Module Course must take the 30 hours of classroom instruction in the proper sequential order indicated in the school's classroom content curriculum submitted and approved by the Secretary of State, pursuant to 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1060.181(b)(4).

 

B)        Students enrolled in a Sequential Module Course must complete the 30 hours of classroom instruction within 9 months after the first classroom session attended.

 

C)        The name of each student, start date and location of the first Sequential Module Course classroom session attended by the student shall be submitted, in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of State, to the Commercial Driver Training School Section, within 3 days after the first day of the first Sequential Module Course classroom session.

 

4)         Required Course of Instruction − General

 

A)        Each teen-accredited driver training school shall submit to the Secretary of State a copy of its classroom course content, which must, at a minimum, include the course content set forth in subsection (b)(6), which shall be reviewed by the Commercial Driver Training School Division of the Department of Driver Services. If the classroom course content meets the requirements, it will be approved by the Department.

 

B)        Accredited teen driver training schools must follow the approved classroom course content submitted to the Director of the Department at the time of application for licensure.  The Department shall determine compliance with this provision by unannounced inspections of the driver training schools, which shall occur, at a minimum, once every two months.  

 

C)        If a driver training school wishes to substantially change the classroom course content, a copy of its revised course content must be submitted in duplicate to the Commercial Driver Training School Division for approval.  After review, the Commercial Driver Training School Division will send a letter to the driver training school informing the school of whether its revised classroom course content has been approved.

 

D)        A regular schedule of classroom testing shall be followed to measure the comprehension level of students.  Students may not be given credit for the driver education course unless they score an average of 75% or more on all tests.  Test questions may be short answer, multiple choice, essay or a combination of these.   Criteria for passing or failing the course must be evident to the students and successful completion clearly defined.

 

5)         Instructional Materials

 

A)        A textbook on driver education must be in the possession of each student for the duration of the course, to be used as a regular part of the course content.

 

B)        Audio-visual materials may be used as a supplement to the instructor's presentation, but not as a replacement, so long as the material relates to driver education.  Materials may include, but are not limited to, videos, DVDs and CDs.  Reference materials are to be available to the students and their use assured by assignments. All assignments are to be made in advance of due dates and should include outside reading as well as preparation for testing.

 

6)         Classroom Course Content.  The following topics shall be included in classroom instruction:

 

A)        Your License to Drive.  Objective: familiarization with the process of obtaining an instruction permit and driver's license and the obligations and responsibilities that exist with holding a license:

 

i)          classifications of driver's licenses;

 

ii)         testing required to obtain a driver's license;

 

iii)        suspensions and revocations of driver's licenses;

 

iv)        mandatory insurance laws; and

 

v)         organ/tissue donation.

 

B)        Getting Under Way.  Objective: locating and identifying the location, purpose and operation of each indicator, gauge and control, thereby operating safely and conserving fuel:

 

i)          the view from behind the wheel, learning the controls − instrument panel, indicators, gauges, controls, lights and other signals;

 

ii)         controls for safety − safety belts, passive restraints, head restraints and rearview mirrors; and

 

iii)        getting ready to drive, adjusting seat and mirrors and starting the engine.

 

C)        Basic Driving Maneuvers.  Objective: defensive driving:

 

i)          steering;

 

ii)         accelerating;

 

iii)        braking;

 

iv)        changing lanes;

 

v)         turning;

 

vi)        backing;

 

vii)       changing direction;

 

viii)      parking;

 

ix)        passing; and

 

x)         railroad crossings.

 

D)        Traffic Safety Laws.  Objective: familiarization with traffic and vehicle laws and influencing drivers to comply with laws on a voluntary basis:

 

i)          basic driving rules;

 

ii)         right-of-way;

 

iii)        speed laws;

 

iv)        traffic signs and signals;

 

v)         pavement markings;

 

vi)        highway markings;

 

vii)       how to respond to emergency vehicles, including Scott's Law and instruction concerning law enforcement procedures for traffic stops, including a demonstration of the proper actions to be taken during a traffic stop and appropriate interactions with law enforcement;

 

viii)      distracted driving, including, but not limited to, cell phone use, texting, eating;

 

ix)        GDL laws, including nighttime driving restrictions and passenger limitations;

 

x)         special safety laws − driving under the influence, implied consent, zero tolerance, post-accident responsibilities and duties; and

 

xi)        construction and school zones.

 

E)        Laws of Nature and Driving.  Objective:  learning about forces that act upon a vehicle and predicting how a vehicle will respond:

 

i)          understanding gravity, center of gravity, friction, energy of motion, centrifugal force and hydroplaning;

 

ii)         stopping distance − perception time and distance, reaction time and distance, and braking distance; and

 

iii)        force of impact − factors affecting force of impact, energy-absorbing features in cars and passenger restraint.

 

F)         Strategy for Driving.  Objective: using the Smith System, IPDE process, Zone Control System or any other recognized process for:

 

i)          identifying problems, predicting outcomes, deciding action and executing decisions;

 

ii)         avoiding, separating and handling hazards, managing time, speed and space, and following and stopping distance; and

 

iii)        trouble spots, limited visibility, traction and space.

 

G)        Driving in City Traffic.  Objective: identifying and handling city driving hazards:

 

i)          characteristics of city driving − congestion, reduced speed and cross traffic;

 

ii)         incoming traffic, following traffic, tailgaters, intersections, multi-lane roads and one-way streets; and

 

iii)        right-of-way situations − pedestrians, emergency vehicles and school buses.

 

H)        Driving on Highways − objective:  adjusting to a variety of traffic patterns, speeds and road conditions:

 

i)          characteristics of highway driving − less congestion, increased speeds and road conditions;

 

ii)         junctions, bridges, railroad crossings and hills;

 

iii)        driving on the interstate system − minimum/maximum speeds, entering and exiting the interstate, and opposing or cross traffic; and

 

iv)        driving to conserve fuel.

 

I)         Sharing the Road with Other Users.  Objective: learning special characteristics and needs of other highway users and what to do to avoid conflicts:

 

i)          pedestrians, animals and bicyclists;

 

ii)         motorcycles and mopeds; and

 

iii)        other vehicles, e.g., large trucks and recreational vehicles.

 

J)         Road Hazards and Vehicle Failures.  Objective: identifying hazards and acting to avoid them:

 

i)          potential problems − visibility, weather and traction;

 

ii)         other emergencies − controlling the vehicle, swerving, skids, collisions and counterskids; and

 

iii)        vehicle equipment failure − tires, brakes, accelerators, steering, engine and lights.

 

K)        Driver Fitness and Highway Safety.  Objective: driving maneuvers based on physical and mental condition:

 

i)          physical condition − age, fatigue, coordination, vision, disabilities and hearing; and

 

ii)         mental condition − alertness, awareness and emotions.

 

L)        Alcohol, Other Drugs and Driving.  Objective:  to identify the effects of alcohol and other drugs relating to driving ability:

 

i)          drug use and abuse − dangers, cautions and effects;

 

ii)         alcohol and the driver − effects;

 

iii)        responsibilities as a driver and passenger;

 

iv)        driving under the influence, zero tolerance, implied consent, and underage drinking not involving a motor vehicle; and

 

v)         possessing, obtaining or using a fraudulent or fictitious driver's license or identification card.

 

M)       Maintaining a Motor Vehicle. Objective:  a well-maintained vehicle is safer:

 

i)          vehicle inspection;

 

ii)         preventive maintenance − brakes, tires, steering, suspension and checking under the hood; and

 

iii)        fuel economy − vehicle choice, maintenance and driving habits.

 

c)         Behind-the-Wheel Instruction – For Persons under Age 18

 

1)         Each teen-accredited driver training school shall submit to the Secretary of State a copy of its behind-the-wheel course content, which must, at a minimum, include the course content set forth in subsection (c)(10). The course content shall be reviewed by the Commercial Driver Training School Division of the Department of Driver Services. If the classroom course content meets the requirements, it will be approved by the Department.

 

2)         Behind-the-wheel instruction shall consist of a minimum of six hours of instruction during which the student is the operator of a dual controlled vehicle while the instructor is occupying the front seat.

 

3)         Observation instruction shall consist of a minimum of six hours of observing another student behind the wheel instruction, unless the alternate formula outlined in subsection (c)(7) is used.

 

4)         Behind-the-wheel instruction shall not begin until the student has completed four hours of the classroom portion of driver education and possesses the basic information required for safe operation of a vehicle in traffic.

 

5)         When receiving behind-the-wheel instruction, each student must carry a valid instruction permit issued by the Secretary of State.

 

6)         At least two, but not more than 4, students may occupy the car with an instructor when behind-the-wheel instruction is in progress. Behind-the-wheel instruction shall not exceed 90 minutes per student, per day. (Exception:  Students participating in the alternate behind-the-wheel formula set forth in subsection (c)(7) may be provided one two-hour session of behind-the-wheel instruction).  Behind-the-wheel lessons must be distributed regularly over a minimum period of two complete weeks.

 

7)         Observation time in the car may not be counted as student driving.  A parent may requests that observers be excluded if the parent has chosen an alternate formula.  The alternate formula may substitute one additional hour of behind-the-wheel instruction for 3 hours of observation or 2 additional hours of behind-the-wheel instruction for 6 hours of observation.  If an alternate formula is chosen, the student may drive alone with an instructor. The school must maintain on file a parental signature authorizing the student to take an alternate formula for the behind-the-wheel portion of instruction.

 

8)         Each student shall receive a minimum of 6 full hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.  There can be no allowance for any absences without actual make-up time spent behind the wheel.  Satisfactory completion denotes that each student has the competencies to be certified by the school for issuance of a certificate.

 

9)         Practice driving instruction shall include actual experience in starting, stopping, shifting, turning, backing, parking, steering and emergency situation procedures in a vehicle equipped according to IVC Section 6-410.

 

10)        Behind-the wheel instruction shall include demonstration of and instruction in:

 

A)        Stopping;

 

B)        Starting;

 

C)        Turning;

 

D)        Backing;

 

E)        Parking;

 

F)         Steering.

 

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 6670, effective April 11, 2022)