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Career and Technical Education
THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234
To: 
District Superintendents; Superintendents of Schools; Public School Administrators; Nonpublic School Administrators; Charter School Administrators;
From: 
Amy Cox, Director of Career and Technical Education
Subject: 
Updated Guidance on Driver and Traffic Safety Education
Date: 
December 20, 2022

On August 26, 2020, in response to COVID-19, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) issued the following updated guidance on Driver and Traffic Safety Education (DTSE):  

  1. DTSE programs were given the option of allowing students to complete the 24 hours of laboratory (in-vehicle) instruction under the supervision of a parent/guardian holding a valid New York State driver’s license.   

  1. DTSE programs were given the option of allowing the 24 hours of DTSE program classroom instruction to be completed remotely by an appropriately credentialed DTSE (MV-283 lecture) teacher, including coursework for students seeking the Pre-licensing Course Completion Certificate (MV-278).  

On June 11, 2021, NYSED issued guidance that laboratory instruction with appropriately certified driving instructors could resume consistent with DTSE guidelines and a school district’s/BOCES/college’s reopening policy so long as programs consulted with their local departments of health (LDOH) to determine if such instruction could be conducted in alignment with state and local health and safety guidelines. Programs unable to meet state and local health and safety guidelines and the NYSED DTSE guidelines’ requirement of a minimum of two (2) students in the vehicle during instruction were allowed to continue to utilize the parent/guardian option to complete laboratory instruction. 

Based on health and safety guidance provided by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) on August 22, 2022 related to COVID-19, use of the above options will expire on June 30, 2023.  At that time, all  

 

DTSE programs must return to in-person classroom instruction with an appropriately credentialed teacher.  Additionally, DTSE programs will no longer have the option of allowing students to complete the 24 hours of laboratory instruction under the supervision of a parent/guardian, and all laboratory instruction must be completed by an appropriately credentialed teacher.   

As a reminder, consistent with DTSE Guidelines, laboratory instruction must be provided by a DTSE classroom teacher who holds an MV-283 certification unless instruction is being provided through contracted services with a licensed driving school.  

 

Important Reminders 

  • DTSE rosters must be submitted within two weeks of program completion. 

  • DTSE classes cannot begin until approval is granted via the CAN letter which is issued upon document processing. 

  • All program updates need to be sent via the DE-1A form. 

  • Driving schools cannot participate in program administration for DTSE. Any information regarding teachers, students, and roster information must be held by the NYSED-approved DTSE program.  

  • School districts/BOCES in need of teachers who hold the MV-283 certification should reach out to their own faculty for individuals who may qualify for and be interested in these positions. For information regarding the DTSE Teacher Prep program availability, please refer to the DTSE Home page. 

 

If there are any questions or need for assistance, please do not hesitate to email emscdrved@nysed.gov. 

Thank you, 

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Amy Cox 

Director of Career Readiness and Workforce Partnerships