Source: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/professional-driving-schools
Timestamp: 2019-04-25 11:52:55+00:00

Document:
The Professional Driving Schools page is dedicated solely to the professional driver education community including Professional Driving Schools, Public School Driver Education Programs, Driver Skills Development Programs, and all driving instructors. On this page, you will find licensing and operating information and guidelines, applications and forms, required curriculums and legislative information for all current and future driving schools and instructors.
The Registrar shall maintain a list of all driving schools who are approved to conduct a training program to train other driver education instructors.
Have at least 1 full-time owner/manager who has had a valid driving school instructor's certificate for 2 consecutive years immediately preceding the request for approval.
Have 2 consecutive years experience as a certified driving school, teaching driving education of both classroom and on-road instruction.
Be violation free for 2 consecutive years immediately preceding request for approval.
Submit a written proposed curriculum and list of textbooks and materials to be used as part of the Driving Instructor Training Course.
45 hours of classroom instruction including a 30 hour segment of basic information for new drivers and 15 hours of instruction on teaching principles and techniques, record requirements and general housekeeping guidelines.
10 hours of observation of an actual on-road driving lesson while a certified Trainer-Instructor is in the front seat.
At least 10 hours of student teaching. Student teaching is defined as observation and participation as a student-instructor in the classroom portion of an actual driver education program. A certified Trainer-Instructor must be present during all student-instructor activities.
No person shall engage in the business of giving instruction for hire in the operation of a motor vehicle without being licensed for such purpose by the Registrar. Applications for a Driving School Instructor Certificate shall be filed with the Driver Licensing Department of the RMV. If an application is approved by the Registrar a license shall be granted that shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of its issuance.
Applicants shall be at least 21 years of age and have at least 24 months operating experience.
Have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
Criminal Record Check - Applicants shall be subject to a criminal record check, and shall be rejected if they have been convicted of the crimes or have engaged in the conduct proscribed by M.G.L. c. 90, §32G. Applicants residing out-of-state or who have relocated to Massachusetts from another state or country must provide a criminal record check from their home state or previous state or country that is not older than 30 days.
Driving Record Check - Applicants shall be subject to a check of their driving record. No instructor's certificate shall be issued or allowed to remain in effect if an applicant's or certificate holder's license or right to operate a motor vehicle is suspended or revoked. No instructor's certificate shall be issued or allowed to remain in effect if an applicant has an unsatisfactory driving record for at least 2 consecutive years prior to application, including but not limited to any mandatory license suspension activity, or revocation of licensing or driving privileges within the preceding two years based on a moving violation; or any conviction under the provisions of M.G.L. c. 90, § 24, within the preceding 5 year period of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, or of marijuana, narcotic drugs, depressants or stimulant substances, as defined in M.G.L. c. 94C, § 1 or the vapors of glue. Any person who consents to have any such case disposed of under the provisions of § 24D shall, for the purpose of this section, be deemed to be convicted. Once the license or right to operate has been reinstated the applicant may apply for an instructor's certificate, which may be issued if, after a review of the nature and circumstances of the information contained in the applicant's driving record, the Registrar determines it appropriate. Applicants residing out-of-state or who have relocated to Massachusetts from another state or country must provide a driving record from their home state or previous state or country that is not older than 30 days.
Applicants shall have satisfactorily completed and submit a certificate of completion of a 65-hour Driving Instructor Training Course (DITC), given by an approved driving school whose DITC curriculum is approved and on file with the RMV. This course is required for new instructor applicants and those whose certifications have lapsed for more than 4 years.
Applicants shall successfully pass an exam administered by the RMV comprised of 100-questions selected from the most current edition of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Driver's Manual with a passing grade of at least 90%.
Applicants for a PDI Exam are limited to 3 failures in a 6 month period. An applicant who does not successfully pass after 3 attempts may be subject to retraining.
A Driver Instructor Training Course (DITC) Certificate of Completion issued by a licensed professional driving school authorized to provide instructor training.
For applicants residing out-of-state, a copy of their driver's license.
Documentation on school or district letterhead showing proof of active employment by the public high school, vocational school, municipal or regional school committee.
Applicants for a Driving School Instructor Certificate must successfully pass the PDI Exam administered by the RMV comprised of 100-questions selected from the most current edition of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Driver's Manual. Applicants must obtain a passing grade of at least 90%. Note: Applicants should not submit an application for an instructor's certificate if they are not prepared to take the instructor's exam.
Applicants will take their required exam electronically on the Automated Testing System at an RMV Service Center.
Applicants who are approved, will receive a PDI Exam Authorization letter.
The PDI exam consists of 100 questions. To pass the exam, an applicant must answer 90 questions correctly. Applicants who answer 11 questions incorrectly will automatically fail the exam.
Applicants will be given 2-hours to complete the exam.
To take the PDI exam, applicants must arrive at the RMV office at least 2-hours prior to closing time to allow enough time to take the exam.
The initial exam fee is prepaid to the RMV as part of the $25 application and licensing fee. Subsequent exams will require an additional $25 fee payable at the RMV location prior to re-testing.
Note: High School Instructors are exempt (by statute) from paying the $25 fee, regardless of how many times they take the PDI exam.
Applicants who pass the PDI Exam should receive their Driver Education Instructor Certificate by mail no later than 7-10 days from the exam date. Applicants are not eligible to provide instruction until they receive their certificate in the mail. Applicants who do not receive their certificate within 7-10 days from the date of their exam should contact the Driver Licensing Department at 857-368-8810.
Applicants who do not pass the PDI Exam may re-take the exam at any time. However, applicants are limited to only 2 attempts every 7 days. Any attempt to take the exam a 3rd time within a 7-day period will be automatically blocked. All re-tests require an additional $25 fee payable at the RMV office prior to testing.
To renew a Professional Driving School Instructor's Certificate, an individual must submit a renewal application with the appropriate non-refundable $25 fee. With each annual renewal, the RMV shall conduct a criminal history background check and driving record check. Applicants who reside out-of-state must provide a criminal history/background check and driving record from their home state that is not older than 30 days and a copy of their out-of-state driver's license. Renewals are valid for a period of one-year from the original issuance date. Please allow 7-10 business days for renewal processing.
Public School Driver Education Instructors: All applicants for renewal shall submit documentation on school or district letterhead showing proof of employment as a driver's education instructor.
Instructors renewing their certification after a 48-month interval of non-certification shall be required to successfully repeat the Driving Instructor Training Course and pass the 100-question instructor's examination.
Instructors shall refrain from the use of cell phones, or any other distracting behavior or activity while conducting instruction.
No person shall engage in the business of giving instruction for hire in the operation of motor vehicles without being licensed for such purpose and designated by the Registrar as a licensed Professional Driving School. All Professional Driving Schools shall maintain a main office and classroom as prescribed by the Registrar, and a separate branch license shall be secured for each such place of business (Note: driving schools need not have a separate business office for each branch classroom). Application for a license shall be filed with the Driver Licensing Section of the RMV and shall be accompanied by an application fee, which in no event shall be refunded. If an application is approved by the Registrar, a license shall be granted that shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of its issuance.
No license shall be issued to an individual, partnership or corporation unless all individuals listed on said application meet licensing requirements of M.G.L. c.90§32G and 540 CMR 23.00 and these published guidelines.
No license shall be issued to a person to conduct a driving school as an individual unless he/she shall have been the holder of an instructor's certificate issued by the Registrar for at least 2 years, nor shall such a license be issued to a partnership or corporation unless at least one partner or director have been the holder of an instructor's certificate issued by the Registrar for at least 2 years.
All applicants, and any officer, director stockholder, partner, employee or any other person directly or indirectly interested in the business shall be subject to a criminal record check (CORI). Applicants shall be rejected if they or any person directly or indirectly interested in the business have been convicted of crimes or have engaged in conduct prescribed by M.G.L. c.90 §32G or 540 CMR 23.00.
If the applicant is a corporation, limited liability company or limited liability partnership, a copy of the applicable Articles of Organization, Certificate of Organization, or Registration, including registration as a Foreign Corporation doing business in Massachusetts, required to be filed with the Secretary of State for the Commonwealth, must be submitted. If the applicant is either an individual or entity conducting business under a trade name, a copy of the business certificate issued by the municipality where the applicant conducts business or will be conducting business must be submitted.
Federal tax identification number (FID/EIN).
Applicants shall have a business office, classroom and instructional vehicles that meet all licensing requirements of M.G.L. c.90 §32G and 540 CMR 23.00 and these published guidelines. All business offices, classrooms and vehicles are subject to a site assessment prior to licensing to determine compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations and these published guidelines.
Be the school's principal place of business, housed in a permanent building at a fixed location with a legal business address to receive mail and deliveries.
Comply with all state and local zoning laws, building and occupancy requirements including the legal requirements regarding accessibility by persons with disabilities as determined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and conspicuously display a current, local occupancy permit if so issued by the municipality.
Be the location where all school records are maintained in a secure manner and contain floor space adequate to conduct the school's daily business, including the registration of course participants.
Contain a desk, chairs, telephone with answering machine, facsimile machine and computer system equipped to send and receive electronic mail, locking files for record storage and other business equipment as prescribed by the RMV.
Have a public entrance and be completely (visually and physically) separated from any other business, classroom or residence and be readily accessible to the general public and agents of the Registrar during regular hours.
Display an exterior sign, door lettering or other permanent printed identification with the office hours of operation plainly visible from the street, sidewalk or public building lobby.
Be located a minimum of 1,500 feet from any RMV Service Center, unless otherwise waived by the Registrar.
Display the school license and instructor licenses in a prominent and conspicuous location within the office.
Be housed in a permanent building at a fixed location with a legal business address and be completely (visually and physically) separated from any other business, office or residence and be readily accessible by a separate public entrance so that a classroom session is not disturbed. If the classroom and office are adjacent, they must have floor to ceiling partitions with operational doors to separate them.
Be clean and suitable for conducting classes, be readily accessible to the general public and have convenient access to restroom facilities.
Suitable desks or tables, chairs for a minimum of 10 students.
Chair, desk or podium (if practical) for the instructor.
Overhead projector and screen or blackboard/whiteboard of an adequate size to supplement or emphasize various lesson plans.
Color TV of ample size to be easily viewed by all students in the class.
VCR and or DVD for viewing supplemental instructional videos.
Be registered as a commercial motor vehicle in the name of the school if a corporation, or in the name of the school or owner if the school is a sole proprietorship or partnership. Be properly insured, and maintained in proper operating condition at all times.
Have a current Massachusetts inspection sticker.
Be serviced and maintained on an established, documented routine schedule.
A frontal air bag system for the driver.
Minimum of one driver side and one internal rear view mirror (vanity mirrors shall not be used to meet this requirement).
Each vehicle used for driving instruction shall have a functional safety belt for each occupant.
Driving School Licenses are valid for one year from the date of issuance. When the time to renew your Professional Driving School (main or branch) license approaches, the Registry of Motor Vehicles may mail you a renewal notice and application, although it is your responsibility to be aware of your license expiration date.
Pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 428 of the Acts of 2006, the Registrar has promulgated regulations at 540 CMR 23.08 to require a "Performance Bond" to be filed and maintained by every driver education program required to be licensed by the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 90, Section 32G (except such programs as are publicly funded), and by every driver skills development program required to be licensed by the provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 90, Section 32G 1/2. Performance bonds or surety bonds are issued by companies licensed to conduct business in Massachusetts by the Commissioner of Insurance.
Each licensee shall provide a performance bond, acceptable to the Registrar, in the amount of $10,000 for a Driver Education Provider with 1 location; $25,000 for a Driver Education Provider with up to 3 locations; and $50,000 for a Driver Education Provider with more than 3 locations. This bond shall be held to provide reimbursement to students and/or parents in the event that the program ceases to function and fails to provide or complete the contracted for instruction.
Any new applicant or applicant seeking a renewal of a license to conduct a driver education program and any new applicant seeking a license to conduct a driver skills development program, shall file and maintain such performance bond with the Registrar as a condition of licensure.
Such performance bond shall be maintained in good standing and in the required amount during any period during which a license to provide driving instruction is held. If the Registrar is notified that a bond is in an amount that is less than required or that it has been cancelled, the Registrar shall provide written notice to the licensee concerning the requirement of the performance bond in the full amount and giving the licensee 30 days to become compliant. A licensee who fails to comply shall be suspended and may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $5,000.
The performance bond shall be issued by a commercial surety company that is authorized to issue performance bonds by the Commissioner of Insurance of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is in good standing with that authority. The bond shall be continuous in nature and the Registrar shall be the primary beneficiary acting on behalf of students and/or the parents.
Questions concerning the performance bond should be referred to the Driver Licensing Department at 857-368-8110.
All business records, including student attendance and instructional records, instructor records, and vehicle records, shall be maintained electronically via the Registry of Motor Vehicle's ATLAS Driving School Portal (Portal). Each Professional Driving School and Public School Driver Education Program shall comply with the guidelines established by the Registrar for the form, content, and retention period of required records. Schools that maintain records via a Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) or Web based system may continue to maintain records via the COTS or Web based product. However, they must adhere to the record submission requirements into the Portal. All driving schools shall maintain computer equipment (i.e. Desktop computers, laptops and a printer) at the school's main business office.
Driving School Administrators will be responsible for adding and deleting instructors from the Portal. A photocopy of a current operator's license and instructor's certificate must be physically maintained by the Driving School for each instructor who has been active over the past 6 years.
All employees of a school must be entered into the Portal. The following information will be required: employee type (i.e. President, Manager, and Clerk), employment start date, license or permit number, first, middle and last name and date of birth.
Instructional activity records shall be electronically maintained in the Portal for each individual student receiving instruction. This will be done by updating the Student Record with the dates of instruction, type (classroom or on-road), time, and duration, starting from the first lesson. The Portal will require the certified instructor's name for each segment of instruction performed and the vehicle registration used for on-road instruction. Instructional activity records must be updated in the Portal within 7 business days from the date of the instructional activity.
The Student Record must be updated upon completion of the Parent Class. This update will include the name of parent/guardian that attended the parent class and their driver license number (if available). Parent Class module completion must be updated in the Portal within 7 business days from the date of the instructional activity.
All students who are required to complete the final exam must have the grade (percentage of questions passed) entered into the Portal. If a student fails their initial exam, the Student Record must be updated with all subsequent test scores. Student Records must be updated with final exam scores within 7 business days from the date of the instructional activity.
The Student Record must be updated with the Total Program cost, total amount collected and payment type for all students enrolled within 21 days of receipt of funds. This applies to both lump sum and installment payments.
Sign-in sheets must contain student's printed names and signatures. Instructors are required to print and sign their name on the numbered line directly below the last student signature.
Sign-in sheets must contain student's printed names and signatures indicating instructional start time and end time and type of instruction (behind-the-wheel or observation). Instructors are required to print and sign their name on the numbered line directly below the last student signature.
Sign-in sheets must contain parent/guardian printed name and signature and the printed name of the student they represent. Instructors are required to print and sign their name on the numbered line directly below the last student signature.
All sign-in sheets must be maintained and formatted as approved by the RMV. All instructor, student and parent sign-in sheets shall be permanently maintained at the main business office, including all instructor, student, and parent sign-in sheets from branch locations.
The loss, theft, mutilation or destruction loss or breach of personal information of any records required within these guidelines shall be immediately reported in writing to the Program Manager of the Driver Education Program. The report shall contain specific details about the loss, theft, mutilation or destruction or breach of personal information of records and the owner, proprietor, or business principal shall sign the report.
The RMV Portal will retain electronic records for at least a 6 year period. Driving schools shall maintain all required paper records for at least a 6 year period from the date any entry is made. If a driving school closes or ceases operation, it shall provide a repository for all required records to be stored for a period of not less than 6 years and advise the RMV in writing of the location of such a repository. If the school is sold, the records shall become the property of the new owner and shall become their responsibility for the 6 year storage period.
No public high school, vocational school, municipal or regional school committee or private high school teaching driver education to students enrolled in its academic school program or in a school under its authority or as a continuing education program, shall engage in the business of giving instruction for hire in the operation of a motor vehicle without being licensed and designated by the Registrar as a licensed Public School Driver Education Program. No license shall be issued unless said program meets all licensing, instructional and operating requirements of M.G.L. c.90 §32G and 540 CMR 23.00 and all published guidelines, policies and procedures.
Driving School applications may be downloaded from the RMV applications and forms page. Applications must be completed in their entirety and filed with the Vehicle Safety & Compliance Services department of the RMV. Public School Driver Education Programs shall be exempt from the initial license and each renewal fee. Additionally, Public School Driver Education Programs shall be exempt from the performance bond requirement. If the Registrar approves an application, a license shall be granted that shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of its issuance.
No Public School Driver Education Program shall employ a person as a driving instructor who does not hold a valid driver’s license and Public School Driver Education Instructor Certificate or Professional Driving School Instructors Certificate issued by the Registrar. All applicants for a Public School Driver Education Instructor Certificate shall meet the licensing requirements outlined in the Professional Driving School Instructor Certification section. Driving Instructor Certification Applications may be downloaded from the RMV forms and applications page.
All Public School Driver Education Programs shall meet the classroom and instructional vehicle requirements as outlined in the Professional Driving School Licensing Requirements section, and all Record Keeping Requirements. Additionally, all programs shall adhere to the approved Driver Education Program Curriculum and all Driving School Operating and Instructional Requirements.
Professional Driving Schools may schedule Alternative/Off Hours Road Tests for eligible applicants. These tests are available outside of the regular business hours of the RMV.
As with RMV policy, Alternative/Off Hours Road Tests evaluate a driver’s skills with the same standard and requirements that all state road tests are held to.
An Alternative /Off Hours Road Test reservation will be made available to a Professional Driving School based on the availability of examiners coupled with regional demand and the order in which the submittal was received.
During an Alternative/Off Hours Road Test; vehicles and sponsors provided by Driving Schools are subject to all RMV rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
The School must have a valid Professional Driving Instructor Certificate, as well as a vehicle that is properly identified with required signage, identifying markers and valid inspection sticker. Failure to provide said requirements will result in exam cancelation and non-refundable off hour fees paid.
Driving Schools are prohibited from conducting any and all financial transactions in the test vehicle, in the immediate area exams are conducted and/or the immediate vicinity of the RMV Examiner. This ensures safety and integrity of the RMV policy which is strictly enforced. All tests will be cancelled and fees will be forfeited if financial transactions are witnessed by Registry personnel.
Alternative/Off-Hours Road Tests requests are submitted up until Tuesday at close of business day for test dates two weeks in advance. Submittals are scheduled based on the order in which they were received, examiner availability, regional demand and valid eligibility of the list submitted.
All requests must be submitted to the RMV email address provided to Professional Driving Schools with the subject line containing the name of the Driving School and the requested test date.
All requests must be submitted through the ATLAS portal and all applicants submitted must be eligible at the time of submittal.
Professional Driving Schools must have at least 20 applicants to schedule Alternative/Off Hours Road Tests. Schools may submit a combined list with another school to meet the minimum to submit. Schools that fall below the minimum required to book will be denied and will have to resubmit by the next submittal deadline.
A maximum of 60 students may be scheduled per request but must have one vehicle available for every 30 exams scheduled. After a request is submitted by the deadline of Tuesday at the close of business day, no additions are allowed. Cancellations must be sent to the Road Test Inbox for processing at least 72 hours in advance of the scheduled test. Students who cancel an off hours test will not incur any fees nor will they be subject to the 14 day hold on their account if they had been graded as a “No Show”. However, once an off hours test has been scheduled, the school is responsible for all convenience fees regardless of any cancellations received by the RMV no later than 4:00pm on the Friday at least 8 days before the scheduled test.
A $20 dollar Alternative/Off Hours Road Test fee will be charged for each applicant once the test has been scheduled. The school is responsible for paying all convenience fees in a timely manner or will be at risk of having their test denied. All fees must be paid through the portal via credit card or E-check by the school.
Driving Schools will be contacted by Friday at close of day as to whether or not their submittal was scheduled, as well as when and where their exam will be conducted. Road tests are conducted at both Service Center locations as well as off-site auto-school testing locations. Schools will be scheduled for either a.m. or p.m. time slots, that are determined on an individual basis and at the discretion of the Road Test Supervisor.
Applicants do not need to be tested in the order in which they were scheduled. It is up to the discretion of the school to schedule their tests in a timely manner, so that tests may be conducted on a continual basis provided with appropriate breaks.
When the tests are completed, the RMV Examiner will file the Road Test applications with the RMV and grade the exams appropriately. It is up to the applicant to prove Lawful Presence as well as check that all fees and requirements have been met and their “license” status is active before operating without a sponsor.

References: §32
 § 24
 § 1
 § 24
 §32
 §32
 §32