Agenda - Issues addressed...

• June 07, 2019: DEAM Letter in Support of Increasing the Age of Instructional Vehicles from 7 to 10 Years: In the semi-annual MVA meeting with DEAM and MPDEA on May 7th, 2019, there was a discussion regarding changing COMAR 11.23.02 Regulation .33 (Training Vehicle Requirements) - specifically Section F which states that "a training vehicle may not be more than 7 model years old". It was indicated that a change to this requirement may be considered during the MVA's annual review of COMAR. DEAM conducted a survey among our driver's education providers asking for feedback on this AND several other issues. That survey revealed that nearly 92% of the respondents either agree or are indifferent to the proposal that the age of instructional vehicles should be increased to 10 years - that is, they agree that COMAR 11.23.02 Reg .33 (F) should be changed to read: "A training vehicle may not be more than 10 model years old". DEAM submitted a letter for the MVA's consideration of this requested change to COMAR - click here to read the letter. Also, click here to view/read a spreadsheet detailing the responses to this AND the other questions from our recent survey - school names and emails have been removed for purposes of anonymity.
• February 28, 2018: DEAM Testimony in Support of HB0998: {House Bill 998} HB0998 (entitled Vehicle Laws - Drivers' Schools - Age of Instruction Vehicles) had its first reading on 02/07/2018, and went to a hearing on 03/01/2018. This Bill was sponsored by Delegate Tony McConkey, and could mean substantial savings for licensed driver's education schools. This bill increases the maximum allowable age of vehicles used for instruction in a driver’s school from 7 to 10 years. The bill does not apply to a commercial motor vehicle. DEAM submitted written testimony in support of this important Bill - click here to read our testimony. You may click here to read the actual Bill, or here to read the Synopsis and Fiscal Analysis.
• January 23, 2017: Concerns With The New Driver Education Curriculum: Driving Schools contacted DEAM regarding the revised Driver Education curriculum that took effect on January 1, 2017. DEAM contacted the Motor Vehicle Administration with concerns and comments. For your information, here is a list of the major concerns with the new curriculum brought to the attention of the MVA. A suggestion was made that a "town meeting" be held with Driving Schools to discuss the issues with the industry.
• January 18, 2017: DEAM Testimony in Support of SB0045: {Senate Bill 45} SB0045 (entitled Motor Vehicle Administration - Driving Instructors - Criminal History Records Checks) has passed in the Senate. This Bill was sponsored by the MVA and is a "big win" for driver's education schools. The Bill essentially requires the Criminal Justice Information System Central Repository of the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to provide the MVA with any changes to an instructor's criminal history records that occur after an initial fingerprinting and background check. It eliminates the {every} two-year requirement and may even reduce or remove certain fees. DEAM submitted written testimony in support of this important Bill - click here to read our testimony. You may click here to read the actual Bill, or here to read the Synopsis and Fiscal Analysis. You may also click here to watch a video of MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer's testimony in support of the Bill.
• May 24, 2011: The Driver Education providers were invited to attend one of two briefings held on May 24, 2011 to discuss the August 9-12, 2010 Technical Assessment conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Technical Assistance Team. Representatives from DEAM attended the earlier 9 a.m. briefing. Click here for information gathered at that briefing. Also click here to download and read the actual 'Assessment' (approx. 2MB in .pdf format).
• August 9th thru 12th, 2010: Maryland hosted the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Sponsored Driver Education Assessment in August 2010. Maryland was the first state to undertake the assessment process. The NHTSA had panels of individuals from across the country that interviewed Maryland students, school representatives, and other individuals regarding driver education. At the end of the assessment, a final "write-up" will be created which evaluates the strength and weaknesses of the current Maryland driver education system. Click here for the Assessment Agenda.
• January 2010 through February 2010: Review of the "NEW" DIP curriculum. Click here to view email communications between DEAM and the MVA for a brief synopsis. Also click here to view the actual review of the MVA's 75 page document - DEAM's comments are highlighted in red.
• July 31, 2008: Problems with the MVA's Error Listing for PSC/DIP completions - MVA's "Data Entry" system. Click here to view email communications between DEAM and the MVA for a brief synopsis.
• June 30, 2008: Quality Standards for Internet PSC/DIP programs. Click on the Meeting Minutes button above to view the minutes of the June 30th meeting with the MVA to discuss enforcing quality standards for Internet PSC/DIP programs.
• April 2008 through June 2008: Driver's Education Regulations. DEAM attended several formal and informal meetings regarding COMAR for Driver's Education Schools. Issues included but not limited to the following: Obtaining Driver Records, Instructor Certification Courses, Instructor Trainers, Student Instructors and Background Checks. (Meeting minutes not available)
• October 18, 2007: PSC/DIP COMAR. We sent a letter addressing our concerns regarding the proposed COMAR (11.17.07) changes to PSC/DIP. The letter was sent to Carolyn Decker and the AERL committee. Click here to view the COMAR Changes DRAFT Appeal Letter.