Permits continuation of instructor-led virtual instruction for drivers’ education for two-year period. Board of education required to provide report comparing test scores of virtual versus in-person instruction to house speaker and senate president.

Rhode Island Drivers' Education Virtual Instruction Bill

This bill would allow drivers' education courses in Rhode Island to continue being taught through live, instructor-led virtual classes (such as video conferencing) for a two-year period. This type of online instruction was likely introduced or expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic, and this bill would formally extend the option for students to complete part of their drivers' education requirements from home rather than requiring all instruction to take place in a traditional classroom.

The bill primarily affects teenagers and other new drivers in Rhode Island who are working toward getting their driver's license. It gives students and driving schools the flexibility to offer or take the classroom portion of drivers' education online, as long as a qualified instructor is leading the session in real time. It also affects driving schools and educational programs that have been using virtual formats and want to continue doing so.

As part of the bill, the Rhode Island Board of Education would be required to study and compare how students perform depending on whether they took their drivers' education instruction in person or virtually. The Board would then need to submit a report with those findings to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate. This data-gathering requirement is designed to help lawmakers evaluate whether virtual instruction is as effective as traditional in-person learning before deciding whether to make it a permanent option.