Texas Administrative Code › Title 40 - SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE › Part 20 - TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION › Chapter 807 - CAREER SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES › Subchapter Q - TRUCK DRIVER TRAINING PROGRAMS › Section 807.322 - Truck Driver Instructor Development Course

Current through Reg. 49, No. 28; July 12, 2024
(a) A school shall
				  apply to the Agency for approval to provide a truck driver instructor
				  development course.
(b) The
				  instructor development course shall consist of 40 hours of course time, which
				  includes at least the following topics.
(1)
				  Five hours shall cover techniques of instruction including: qualities of a
				  competent instructor, the learning process, methods of teaching, development of
				  efficient teaching habits, demonstration teaching, the use of instruction
				  material and training aids, course preparation, lesson plans, testing and
				  evaluation, and the duration and frequency of lessons.
(2) Two hours shall cover personality factors
				  affecting the driver and pedestrian including: natural abilities; senses; mind
				  and nerves; bones and muscles; knowledge of vehicle, road, traffic, and self;
				  attitudes and emotions; reaction time; and reactions to alcohol, carbon
				  monoxide, over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs, illegal drugs, heart
				  ailments, epilepsy, diabetes, insanity, exhaustion, tension, and
				  monotony.
(3) Six hours shall cover
				  state laws as located in the Texas Motor Vehicle Law book relating to the
				  operation of motor vehicles including: driver's license, vehicle registration,
				  certificate of title, operation of vehicles, uniform act, miscellaneous
				  offenses, and safety responsibility.
(4) Eight hours shall cover driving
				  procedures including: handling--city, rural, night, mountain, and freeway
				  driving; fog, rain, sandstorms, and other hazardous weather conditions; road
				  hazards and recovery procedures for slick roads; blowout hazards and running
				  off the road; traffic signs, markings, and signals; use of rearview mirrors;
				  vehicle braking and stopping distances; following distances; right-of-way, when
				  and how to yield it; vehicle acceleration and deceleration; yielding
				  right-of-way to emergency vehicles; driver signals; proper passing procedures;
				  procedures and problems for passing on two and three-lane roadways; and
				  super-size motorized equipment.
(5)
				  Three hours shall cover physical forces affecting the motor vehicle in motion
				  including: forces of gravity; friction; acceleration, mass, and force; inertia
				  and centrifugal force; kinetic energy and momentum; kinetic energy and braking;
				  and horsepower and acceleration.
(6) Two hours shall cover highway
				  characteristics including: primary, secondary, expressway, freeway, farm or
				  ranch road, two-way two-lane, two-way three-lane, two-way multilane, two-way
				  multilane divided, one-way multilane, parking, and traffic controls. Traffic
				  control topics consist of the following:
(A)
				  sign topics including shape, color, location and importance;
(B) traffic marking topics including center
				  and lane lines, no passing zone, transition markings, turn lane marking, stop
				  lines, crosswalk lines, and so forth; and
(C) signal topics including classification,
				  location, type, timing.
(7) Two hours shall cover automobile systems
				  and maintenance including: electrical system--generator, alternator, battery,
				  lighting, and electric-powered equipment; cooling system--lubrication and fuel
				  systems; power train--engine, transmission, and differential; brake
				  system--wheels and tires, caster, camber, toe-in, balance, inflation, tire
				  condition, and care; exhaust system; instruments and gauges; compartment
				  adjustments--seat, ventilation, mirrors, headrests, seat belts, and shoulder
				  harness; starting the engine and warm-up procedures; safety devices--door
				  locks, headrests; and miscellaneous features--windshield wipers, heater, and
				  defroster.
(8) Two hours shall
				  cover behind-the-wheel elementary lessons with demonstration in an appropriate
				  vehicle and practice to be performed in the presence of the instructor
				  including: starting; steering; stopping; shifting gears; backing;
				  turning--right and left; and parking and starting on grade.
(9) Six hours shall cover behind-the-wheel
				  driving safety lessons with demonstration in an appropriate vehicle and
				  practice to be performed in the presence of the instructor including:
				  developing good seeing habits; speed control; safe following; lane driving and
				  lane changing; intersections and right-of-way; proper signaling; correct turn
				  procedures; detecting of and handling problems--vehicle, cycle, pedestrian;
				  freeway driving--ramp use, entering, exiting, lane use, emergency stopping;
				  parking procedures; entering traffic from parked position; and night
				  driving.
(10) Two hours shall cover
				  school and instructor approval requirements including the following: school
				  approval requirements, instructor approval requirements, classroom and
				  automotive equipment requirements, required student records, contract
				  requirements, and deportment of instructors.
(11) Two hours shall cover specialized
				  training regarding the following: students with physical, mental, or emotional
				  handicaps; illiterate students; non-English-speaking students; and habitual
				  violators and problem drivers.