DRIVER'S EDUCATION
Lewis and Clark School District Driver Education
Dear Students and Parents,
It is time to start planning for the Driver’s Education Program this summer. The course is offered to all students who have turned 14 years by May 1, 2023. One must remember that it is a privilege to drive a vehicle and must be earned. Not all young people are physically and emotionally ready or may lack maturity. These individuals should delay the Driver’s Education Program to a later date.
Driver’s Education includes both classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction. The program will allow our youth to learn how to use a motor vehicle wisely and safely. The classroom instruction will begin on May 23, 2023. The classroom portion will run from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for two weeks. Behind-the-wheel instruction will begin on June 5th and continue until July 21.
The fee for taking the Driver’s Education course will be $85. This fee will be payable to the school before the first day of class. A parent’s night will be offered on Wednesday, April 26, at 7:00 pm at North Shore Plaza. Another one will be offered on Wednesday, May 3rd, at 7:00 pm at Berthold High School. If parents attend one of the parent night sessions, a $25 discount will be given.
All students must have their driving permits before behind-the-wheel instruction takes place. A valid permit or license is required to drive a vehicle on public highways or streets legally. It is a misdemeanor for any vehicle owner to authorize or knowingly permit such use on any roadway by a person who is not properly licensed. The website below lists ND laws that govern permit and licensing information and primary enforcement laws.
Please keep in mind that there are safety and child restraint use laws. Please read them carefully. These laws were passed with the intent to help ensure the safety of our young drivers.
Enrollment can take place at the school by calling the office.
Once enrolled, join the class on Remind.
If I can be of any further assistance, please email me at steph.hochhalter@k12.nd.us.
Stephanie Hochhalter
Students and parents should keep the following facts in mind.
● In 2016 there were 555,935 licensed drivers on the road in North Dakota. In North Dakota, teen
drivers ages 14-19 account for 5% of all licensed drivers but are behind the wheel in nearly 20% of all crashes. View the Crash Dashboard
(https://www.dot.nd.gov/divisions/safety/crashdashboard.htm)
● North Dakota is unique in allowing 14-year-old teens to obtain a driver’s license. Most states require children to wait until they are 16.
● Driving is not a “right.” It is a privilege that allows individuals to go places and do things they could not do without a license.
You may look to the Department of Transportation for additional information on the site below.
https://www.dot.nd.gov/divisio...
Please see the site below on vision zero to read about safety and teen driving
https://visionzero.nd.gov/stra...
PERMIT AND LICENSE INFORMATION
The North Dakota legislature passed a minor licensing law for individuals under the age of 18 in 1999.
● Anyone at least 14 years old may apply for an instruction permit. Applicants must pass a vision test and a test of the rules of the road and traffic signs. The booklet for studying for this test may be picked up at any local Department of Transportation. Testing will also take place at the same local sites. The nearest location would be Minot.
● When appearing for the test, students must have a certified copy of their birth certificate and social security card.
● Instruction permits are valid for one year.
● A licensed driver at least 18 years of age, who has had at least three years of driving experience, must accompany the permit holder. An individual other than the supervising driver and permit holder may not be in the front seat unless the vehicle has only a front seat (like a pickup). The supervising driver must be seated next to the permit holder.
● The instruction permit must be held for one year before attempting the road test for an operator’s license. If under the age of 16, a driver education course must also be completed before the road test. Road tests must be scheduled with the testing agency.
● Upon completing the road test, a restricted license will be issued. Anyone under the age of 16 is restricted to the parent or legal guardian’s vehicles; or vehicles equipped with dual controls. Anyone under 16 cannot carry more passengers than the vehicle manufacturer’s suggested passenger capacity.
● The director shall cancel the permit or license of a minor under 18 who accumulated six or more points on their driving record or commits an alcohol-related offense while operating a motor vehicle. Any person under the age of 21 is presumed under the influence if the BAC is .02% or higher.
● A minor under the age of 18 whose permit or license has been canceled in this manner will be considered as never having a permit or license before. An instruction permit will be issued after the successful completion of another driver education course and the required holding period of the permit.