Laboratory Curriculum. (a) All driver’s education programs shall submit written laboratory curriculum to the approving authority for approval. (1) No curriculum may be utilized until approved. (2) All instructors shall conduct laboratory instruction in accordance with the approved written laboratory curriculum. (3) All laboratory instruction shall include instruction given in English, Chamorro, or Carolinian for the type of vehicle for which the student is enrolled for driver’s education. (b) All curriculum proposals submitted to the approving authority shall substantially comply with recommendations of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on the instruction of driver’s education courses. (c) The approving authority shall approve any laboratory curriculum which meets the requirements of this section. Approval of the laboratory curriculum is a requirement for approval of the program. (d) The instructor shall ensure that each student is in possession of a duly issued learner’s permit in accordance with Section 2413 of this Article. (e) Laboratory instruction shall not be on the actual routes utilized for operator license road tests, except when unavoidable due to lack of alternatives. (f) The instructor shall require that seat belts are used at all times by persons in any vehicle utilized for instruction. (g) All on-street instruction shall address the physical disabilities of the individual student. (h) The laboratory curriculum shall include at least the following: (1) Education of the student as to the purpose, content, and procedures for laboratory instruction; (2) Education of the student as to the gauges and instruments, their purposes and functions, and safety preparations prior to moving the vehicle; (3) Assistance in the development of basic skills in speed control and tracking on forward and backward paths; (4) Orientation to driving and initial techniques in scanning for, recognizing and responding to obstacles; (5) Assistance in the development of basic skills in parking, turning, backing, turning around, changing lanes, crossing intersections, and passing; (6) Education and assistance in the development of methods of reducedrisk city driving, highway driving and interacting with highway users; (7) Strategies for perceiving and responding to adverse and special conditions and emergencies; and, (8) Formal evaluation, self-evaluation, and planning for future improvement. (i) Laboratory instruction shall not exceed two hours per day. (j) An instructor shall not provide laboratory instruction in excess of 30 hours without the written authorization of the approving authority.
(k) The laboratory curriculum will consist of a minimum of six hours of approved instruction of which: (1) Total on-street time shall not be less than three hours; and (2) Four hours of simulation may be substituted for one hour of laboratory instruction. (l) A program or instructor shall encourage students to practice outside of the program in a manner permissible by law and considered appropriate by the instructor. Source: PL 15-25, § 2 (2405), modified. Commission Comment: The Commission changed the original reference in subsection (d) to the proper section number [changed “§ 2403” to “Section 2413”] pursuant to the authority granted by 1 CMC 3806(c).