Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-634.7 - Driver education-teaching parent

As an alternative to a driver education course offered by a course provider approved under rule 761-634.3 (321), a teaching parent may instruct a student in an approved course of driver education.

(1) Instruction by a teaching parent.

a. A teaching parent will instruct the student using an approved course.

b. The teaching parent will select the course to be used from the list of approved courses posted at www.iowadot.gov/mvd/driverseducation/Parent-taught/Step-2 and will purchase the course directly from the applicable course vendor.

c. No person will provide driver education as a teaching parent unless the person meets the definition of a teaching parent, and the department will not recognize driver education that was:

(1) Provided by a person who does not meet the definition of a teaching parent.

(2) Provided to a person who is not a student as defined in rule 761-634.2 (321).

(3) Offered under a course other than an approved course.

(2) Course completion-certificate of completion.

a. Upon the student's completion of an approved course, the teaching parent will apply for a certificate of completion on behalf of the student pursuant to Iowa Code section 321.178A.

b. The department will deny issuance of a certificate of completion if:

(1) The course was not conducted by a person meeting the definition of a teaching parent.

(2) The application does not properly identify a student eligible to be instructed in driver education by the teaching parent.

(3) The application and evidence do not demonstrate the student's successful completion of an approved course.

(4) The application and evidence do not include all documentation, statements, certifications, and logs required by Iowa Code section 321.178A in adequate and proper form and content.

(5) The department has determined that the application should be rejected for any reason listed in Iowa Code section 321.13.

c. If the application is denied, the department will issue a letter of denial to the teaching parent explaining the reason for the denial.

d. If the application is approved, the department will issue a certificate of completion to the student. A certification of completion issued by the department under this subrule constitutes proof of successful completion of an Iowa-approved course in driver education but shall not be grounds for waiver of a driving test under 761-subrule 604.31(2).

(3) Course approval.

a. For a course to become an approved course under Iowa Code section 321.178A, a vendor of a driver education curriculum will submit an application on a form provided by the department to the address in rule 761-634.1 (321), along with a copy of all proposed curriculum materials.

b. To be designated as an approved course, the curriculum submitted must, at a minimum, meet the requirements of Iowa Code section 321.178A, be appropriate for teaching-parent-directed driver education and related street or highway instruction, and meet or exceed the required content set forth in the Appendix to this rule.

c. If the proposed curriculum does not meet the requirements for an approved course, the department will issue a letter of denial to the course vendor explaining the reason for denial.

d. If the proposed curriculum is approved, the department will issue a certificate of approval to the vendor designating the curriculum as an approved course and will list the approved course on the department's website. Course approval will be issued for one calendar year or for the remainder of a calendar year. The approval expires on December 31 and must be renewed annually by the submission of an application on a form provided by the department and all required materials as set forth in this subrule at least 60 days prior to the expiration date unless otherwise approved by the department.

Appendix to Rule 761-634.7

To be designated as an approved course, a curriculum must, at a minimum, meet the requirements of Iowa Code section 321.178A, be appropriate for teaching-parent-directed driver education and related street or highway instruction, and meet or exceed the required content listed below:

1. Duration and required content. The course must provide for both classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction. As used in this rule, "classroom instruction" means instruction provided by a teaching parent in a private setting using printed or electronic course materials, and "behind-the-wheel instruction" means street or highway driving instruction provided by a teaching parent or a person who is qualified to provide street or highway driving instruction pursuant to Iowa Code section 321.178 in a motor vehicle operated by the student.

a. Classroom instruction shall include all of the following:

i. Instruction concerning distracted driving and substance abuse.

ii. Instruction concerning railroad crossing safety.

iii. Instruction relating to becoming an organ donor under the revised uniform anatomical gift Act as provided in Iowa Code chapter 142C.

iv. Instruction providing awareness about sharing the road with pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles.

b. Behind-the-wheel instruction shall consist of at least 40 hours of street or highway driving, including 4 hours of driving after sunset and before sunrise while accompanied by the teaching parent or a person who is qualified to provide street or highway driving instruction pursuant to Iowa Code section 321.178.

2. Required topics. The course may follow any format the vendor determines, provided all of the following topics are properly and adequately covered, as detailed in the course application form provided by the department:

a. Traffic law - classroom instruction

i. Introduction to driver education and driving laws and privileges.

ii. Understanding your license to drive.

iii. Right-of-way.

iv. Traffic control devices.

v. Controlling traffic flow.

vi. Alcohol and other drugs.

vii. Cooperating with other roadway users.

b. Driver preparation - classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction

i. Pre-drive tasks.

ii. Occupant protection.

iii. Symbols and devices.

iv. Starting tasks.

v. Vehicle operation and control tasks.

vi. Post-drive tasks.

vii. In-car progress assessment.

viii. Driving plan (classroom instruction).

c. Vehicle movements - classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction

i. Visual attention, mental attention and communication.

ii. Reference points.

iii. Vehicle balance.

iv. Vehicle maneuvers.

v. In-car progress assessment (behind-the-wheel instruction).

d. Driver readiness - classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction

i. Driving practices.

ii. Fatigue.

iii. Aggressive driving.

iv. In-car progress assessment (behind-the-wheel instruction).

e. Risk reduction - classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction

i. Risk factors.

ii. Space management.

iii. In-car progress assessment (behind-the-wheel instruction).

f. Environmental factors - classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction

i. Environmental characteristics.

ii. Environmental risk factors.

iii. In-car progress assessment (behind-the-wheel instruction).

g. Distractions - classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction

i. Distractions.

ii. Multi-task performances.

iii. In-car progress assessment (behind-the-wheel instruction).

h. Alcohol and other drugs - classroom instruction

i. Introduction of alcohol and other drug problems.

ii. Nature of alcohol-related crash problems.

iii. Physiological effects of alcohol.

iv. Psychological effects of alcohol.

v. Other drug effects on the driving task.

vi. Zero-tolerance in the driving environment.

i. Vehicle movement and reference points - behind-the-wheel instruction

i. Vehicle movements and reference points (entering and exiting traffic and parking).

ii. In-car progress assessment (behind-the-wheel instruction).

j. Adverse conditions - classroom instruction

i. Adverse weather and reduced visibility conditions.

ii. Traction loss.

iii. Emergencies.

k. Vehicle requirements - classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction

i. Vehicle malfunctions (classroom instruction).

ii. Vehicle maintenance (classroom instruction).

iii. Trip planning (classroom instruction).

iv. Adverse conditions and vehicle requirements - off-street simulated practice (behind-the-wheel instruction).

v. In-car progress assessments (behind-the-wheel instruction).

l. Consumer responsibility - classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction

i. Vehicle use and ownership (classroom instruction).

ii. Vehicle insurance (classroom instruction).

iii. Environmental protection and litter prevention (classroom instruction).

iv. Anatomical gift Act - organ donor (classroom instruction).

m. Personal responsibility (classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction).

i. Comprehensive classroom progress assessment (testing) (classroom instruction).

ii. Driver licensing (classroom instruction).

iii. In-car progress assessment (behind-the-wheel instruction).

Notes

Iowa Admin. Code r. 761-634.7

Amended by IAB February 12, 2020/Volume XLII, Number 17, effective 3/18/2020 Adopted by IAB April 16, 2025/Volume XLVII, Number 21, effective 5/21/2025