6034387 Resolution 21-480, Mandatory Driver Instruction Regulation Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016

A RESOLUTION

21-480

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

May 3, 2016

 

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to amend section 103 of Title 18 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations to repeal the requirement that every person who has never been issued a driver license must provide documentation that they have successfully completed an approved course of driver instruction before issuance of a provisional permit or driver license.

 

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Mandatory Driver Instruction Regulation Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2016”.

 

            Sec. 2. (a) In January 2016, the Department of Motor Vehicles (“DMV”) announced its intention to implement rules on May 1, 2016, mandating that “before receiving their first driver license, all new drivers, regardless of age, must successfully complete a DC DMV approved course in driver education that consists of 30 hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.”

(b) The DMV has approved 15 private companies to provide the driver instruction courses in the District, with rates that range from $375 to $499 for 10 hours of instruction – amounting to approximately $1,000 for the total 30 or more mandated hours of driving instruction -- resulting in high costs to District residents seeking to obtain a provisional permit or driver license.

(c) 20% of District residents make less than $23,000 a year, meaning that a low-income resident would have to spend more than half a month’s income on driver instruction.

(d) Until 2009, public schools in the District provided driver instruction funded in part by a fee added to driver license applications, but there is currently no low-cost or free option for a District resident seeking driver instruction.

            (e) By not providing a low-cost or free option, the DMV’s mandatory driver instruction rules will effectively prevent many low-income District residents from having equal access to provisional permits or driver licenses.

 

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the Mandatory Driver Instruction Regulation Emergency Amendment Act of 2016 be adopted after a single reading.

 

 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.