SECTION .0500 - MOTOR VEHICLES OPERATED FOR HIRE

19A NCAC 03I .0501        REQUIREMENTS

(a)  Each instructor of a commercial driver training school or branch shall:

(1)           have four years or more of experience as a licensed operator of a motor vehicle;

(2)           not be denied on the basis of criminal record in accordance with if they have been convicted of a felony in the 10 years preceding the date of application;

(3)           not have had a revocation or suspension of his driver's license in the five years preceding the date of application;

(4)           have graduated from high school or hold a high school equivalency certificate;

(5)           not have had convictions for moving violations totaling five or more points in the three years preceding the date of application;

(6)           have completed the 80-contact-hour, community-college course for driver education teachers; an equivalent course approved by the Commissioner, or an Instructor Training Program conducted by an licensed Commercial Driver Training School within four years prior to application;

(7)           complete the written test administered by a School Bus and Traffic Safety representative; (Allowed only one retest)

(8)           complete the Miller Road Test given by a School Bus and Traffic Safety representative; (Allowed only one retest)

(9)           be issued an instructor's learning permit, valid for a three month probationary period;

(10)         submit a criminal background check from the Clerk of Court for each county of residence for the past 10 years;

(11)         be observed, evaluated, and recommended by a School Bus and Traffic Safety representative within the three month probationary period; and

(12)         be exempt from the 80-contact-hour basic course, Miller Road Test, and the probationary period if the applicant is an accredited driver education teacher with a current certificate based on the requirements of the State Board of Education and if he or she completes the written Commercial Driver Education exam with a score of 80 or above, and if the test is administered by a School Bus and Traffic Safety representative. The applicant is allowed only one retest.

(b)  An applicant will be issued an instructor's learner's permit which will be valid for three months. To be eligible for an instructor's learner's permit, the applicant shall meet requirements in Subparagraphs (a)(1) through (10) of this Rule and shall:

(1)           submit an Instructor Application with a sixteen dollar ($16.00) application fee, copy of high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate, and physical examination form;

(2)           conduct two hours of classroom instruction within the three-month probationary period, while being observed and evaluated by a School Bus and Traffic Safety representative, if the instructor wants to be licensed as a classroom instructor;

(3)           conduct two hours of behind the wheel instruction within the three-month probationary period, while being observed and evaluated by a School Bus and Traffic Safety representative, if the instructor wants to be licensed for behind the wheel instruction;

(4)           be recommended by a School Bus and Traffic Safety representative to receive an instructor's license;

(5)           be exempt from Subparagraphs (b)(2), (3), and (4) of this Rule if the applicant is an accredited driver education teacher with a current certificate based on the requirements of the State Board of Education.

(c)  An instructor at an approved commercial driver training school may apply for an Instructor Trainer license. The Instructor Trainer shall:

(1)           have five consecutive years as an active licensed instructor;

(2)           submit an application for Instructor Trainer License;

(3)           complete two hours of classroom observation by a School Bus and Traffic Safety representative while training instructors, not driver education students;

(4)           complete two hours of behind-the-wheel observation by a School Bus and Traffic Safety representative while training instructors, not driver education students;

(5)           complete the written test administered by a School Bus and Traffic Safety Representative; (Allowed only one retest)

(6)           complete the Miller Road Test given by a School Bus and Traffic Safety Representative; (Allowed only one retest)

(7)           be recommended by a School Bus and Traffic Safety representative; and

(8)           shall renew instructor trainer license every other year, in conjunction with school renewal.

(d)  Each application for a commercial driver training instructor shall consist of:

(1)           SBTS-612 (application for instructor license) shall be completed and signed by the applicant;

(2)           SBTS-602 (physical exam report) shall be completed and signed by a licensed physician;

(3)           satisfactory evidence of high school graduation or equivalency;

(4)           evidence of completion of NCDMV 80-hour basic driver education instructor course or equivalent;

(5)           a driver license record check for the previous three years if applicant has other than a North Carolina driver license or local background check for all counties they have resided in for the last 10 years for North Carolina residents; or

(6)           a check or money order in the amount of sixteen dollars ($16.00).

History Note:        Authority G.S. 20-33; 20-322; 20-323; 20-324;

Eff. July 2, 1979;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2000; April 1, 1999; August 1, 1994; December 1, 1993; November 1, 1991; September 1, 1990;

Readopted Eff. June 1, 2021.