Drivers Education Meeting Minutes

Updated: January 5, 2026

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Date: 1/5/2026 
Bulletin: Drivers Education Owners, Operators and Instructors 
From: Business Licensing and Compliance
RE: Drivers Education Meeting Minutes 

Purpose
To provide meeting minutes from our Drivers Education meeting held on 12/17/25. List of attendees is as follows:

• DEAM – Chris Ertel and Kelly Sisk
• MPDEA – April Jackson
• Non-Association member – Tim Jones

Summary

1. MVA Windshield Stickers for New or Repaired Vehicles -
   1. Since the last meeting, have any schools reported difficulty testing without a windshield sticker?
      1. No
   2. Status update on completion and distribution of the new sticker batch.
      1. No updates, all have been distributed
   3. Stickers have been received and distributed.
2. Compliance Inspector Ride-Alongs and Liability -
   1. Since the last meeting, have any schools reported parental objections or concerns 
      regarding inspector ride-alongs?
      1. No
   2. Have any trends emerged since the last meeting?
      1. Nothing has been reported. MVA staff are on duty and covered by state insurance.
3. HB 463 Implementation: Roadway Safety Driving Education Program
   1. Where is the COMAR language related to the requirement for an end of program test?
      1. 11.12.09.04.I(6) and (7)
      2. There is specific regulatory language relating to the end of program test for the alternate format program.
      3. The end of program test is part of the developed curriculum and does not depend on a specific regulatory requirement for its inclusion.
      4. The end of program test for the new 3-hour program was developed from a combination of the questions from the original 3-hour program and the driver improvement program as the new program combines information from both.
   2. Have there been any discussions about giving providers access to a portal where they could look up whether a student already has an ID number (e.g., by entering name and DOB). This would prevent unnecessary ID requests, expedite the process, and reduce 
      workloads for all parties involved.
      1. No, currently there is no query function to provide you a tool to see if your customer has an MDID. Continue your requests via your business portal at this time.
      2. Chris asked about the ability to run an inquiry to the MVA system to see if a person already has an MDID number so that they do not have to submit an MDID request. Many times, they get a response back from the MVA, that the customer already has an MDID number assigned.
         1. We will review this request and if it is feasible, submit a software request to develop this solution.
4. Revised Driver Education Curriculum – Status & Rollout -
   1. Current status of the revised curriculum review.
      1. Still under plain language review. Currently reviewing units 9 and 10.
   2. Updated rollout timeline.
      1. No specific date at this time. Will update once the Instructor Guide has been completed and the Spanish Translation has concluded.
   3. Whether the MVA still considering supporting a pilot program prior to full statewide implementation.
      1. Yes, we will consider whether this is a feasible option once the curriculum has been finalized.
   4. Status of plain language review and translation work.
      1. Once plain language review is completed, we will send for Spanish translation
   5. Whether Organizational Development has completed or begun its specialist review.
      1. This is being conducted the same time as the plain language review.
5. BTW Data Reporting Process (Business Portal) -
   1. Updates on decisions regarding reporting frequency and workflow burden.
      1. Current system in place has not changed at this time. Continue your BTW data reporting daily.
   2. Status of quarterly updates to the schools.
      1. Will revisit what the compliance inspectors are sending out to ensure the format is consistent with all inspectors and the same information is being reported to all schools.
   3. Daily BTW reporting is recommended as a daily best practice for accuracy.
6. Historical Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Data Access -
   1. Timeline for restoring historical BTW data to the portal.
      1. We have worked with the IT team and have been advised this type of report is not available.
7. Instructor Training & Apprentice Instructor Program Review -
   1. Status of launching the 2025 review project and forming the working group.
      1. This is a project starting in 2026.
   2. Updated timeline projections for review and implementation.
      1. Once we have finished development of the new program, we will meet with the Instructor Trainers just as we did for the Drivers Education Curriculum re-write to refine what we are intending on implementing.
   3. Consideration of interim measures to address current instructor training challenges.
      1. No proposals have been submitted for our consideration.
8. Review Proposed Changes to COMAR 11.23.01
   1. Proposed changes to COMAR 11.23.01 were revised, and most feedback was very positive. These proposed changes will be published in the Maryland Register for public comment in the first quarter of 2026.
   2. Feedback on crimes of moral turpitude, feel the definition is too vague.
      1. We explained the definition of a crime of moral turpitude, as it applies in the administrative context, has clearly been defined by the Maryland Supreme Court and regulations comply with the court’s decisions.
   3. April Jackson asked if we would consider changing the proposed 10 hours per week requirement for office hours to 8-hours per week
9. Additional Topics Discussed
   1. Chris Ertel asked if the final exam for the 3-hour Program could be in other languages like the Learners Permit test and Drivers Education end of unit quizzes and final exam.
      1. We look into this request to see if it is a viable option.
   2. More specific or clarifying information about disabilities and what is considered a reportable medical condition and how driving schools are supposed to handle these students.
      1. Kelly Sisk asked what sort of accommodations are driving schools allowed to do for their students.
         1. You can read the questions to the student out loud while they take a paper or electronic test. Anything outside of the current approved program requires approval from the MVA. Reach out to the Drivers Education Unit for guidance if you have any questions about a student.
      2. Want a specific list for students to identify if they have a specific disability that will impact driving before they start their driver's education program.
         1. We will share these concerns with Drivers Wellness and Safety
         2. Currently schools can only reference the list of reportable medical conditions. If a school has reason to believe that a student has one or more of the listed reportable medical conditions, the school is to make contact with the Driver Wellness and Safety Division to seek direction. A school’s authority to ask specific medical questions could potentially violate the student’s right to privacy and HIPPA.
      3. Drivers Wellness and Safety outline reportable medical conditions on their website. Would like this to be more readily accessible to the general public.
         1. Will see if there is another place on the Driver's Education page of the MVA website that we can provide a link to the list of reportable medical 
            conditions currently on the Drivers Wellness and Safety webpage.
   3. Can the annual report be removed, they do not find relevance in what is being reported.
      1. Advised the annual report is staying and we will be looking to obtain more relevant information. 

If you have any questions, please contact us at 410-787-2952 or 
[email protected].