National Driver Training Institute Files Suit Against the Texas Department of Public Safety

LAKEWAY, Texas--National Driver Training Institute (NDTI) today announced that it has filed a formal complaint with the District Court against the Texas State Department of Public Safety (DPS) for violating HB 339 and essentially creating a loophole for young drivers to receive their driver's license without properly being assessed or receiving a certificate of completion from a driver's education program -- a crucial safeguard for the young driver as well as the public.

“While we supported HB 339 and the publication of the Collision Rate Statistics report, we do not believe that there is adequate or reliable data as a result of poor tracking and thereby diminishes the validity of the report”

Recap of the recent changes in teen driver licensing policies:

• Prior to the passing of HB 339 in 2009, PTDE schools were to issue a certification of completion based on the completion of the approved curriculum and the required classroom hours and driving hours -- standards set by the State of Texas.
• HB 339 added the required use of state provided and serially issued certificates of completion. This requirement was put in place in order to track the driving records of teens and the successfulness of the driving program in which they used. This would furnish the data for Sec. 521.206. COLLISION RATE STATISTICS PUBLICATION.
• Since 2010, no certificates of completion have been issued, yet thousands of young drivers have been issued a license without having to meet the requirement of completing an approved driver's education program.

By not providing the certificates of completion to the PTDE entities, young drivers are able to bypass the legal requirement to complete a driver's education course. In place of completion certificates, the DPS is only requiring the use of the DL91A and B forms, which is no more than a log of driving time and classroom time.

"While we supported HB 339 and the publication of the Collision Rate Statistics report, we do not believe that there is adequate or reliable data as a result of poor tracking and thereby diminishes the validity of the report," stated Wayne Tully, president of National Driver Training. "Without requiring young drivers to satisfactorily complete an approved State program, the State is doing a disservice to the teen, their family and the public."

Because of the inaccuracy of the report, National Driver Training is requesting in the filing that the report not be published until the State implements the proper tracking measures -- namely the certification process, which is required in statute but has not been practiced since January of 2010.

Additionally, Tully believes the current State program (Course 101) does not provide the appropriate level of guidance and assessment that is found with the private providers. "There is no technical support provided with Course 101, which is a critical component to the process. Also, because the program is packaged with an answer key, we believe that the testing portion is severely compromised. In any other education environment, this would not be acceptable; however with drivers education it is, and unfortunately the results could be tragic," explained Tully.

NDTI

National Driver Training is the nation's premier graduated driver's licensing company and was the pioneering PTDE program to be approved in Texas. NDTI executives have assisted in the development of laws on teen driving in 28 states in the past 15 years. Company President Wayne Tully is the founder of NDTI and the co-author of NDTI's curriculum. He received his Traffic Safety Certification from The National Traffic Safety Institute and National Safety Council, and his Driver Education and Training Instructor and Teacher Instructor Certification from the University of New Mexico. His driver education program is approved through the Texas Department of Public Safety; the Virginia Department of Education; the New Mexico Department of Transportation; the Minnesota Department of Public Safety; the California Department of Motor Vehicles; Oklahoma Department of Public Safety; and the Colorado Department of Revenue, Driver License Division. He is a State of Colorado Certified Driver License Tester and a published author. Over the years, Tully's insights have been sought by over 150 live radio shows and national television news programs, and his writings have appeared in articles and lead stories in publications nationwide.