| From the HSLDA E-lert Service: |
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| Date: From: Subject: | 2/18/2005 6:13:48 PM Home School Legal Defense Association Colorado--Calls Needed to Protect Parent-Taught Driver's Education |
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====================================================================== From the HSLDA E-lert Service... ====================================================================== February 18, 2005 Colorado--Calls Needed to Protect Parent-Taught Driver's Education Dear HSLDA members and friends: Calls are needed before February 24th to ensure passage of House Bill 1235, which will make it possible for your 15 year-old homeschooled student to more easily obtain a driver's permit. HB 1235 will require the Department of Revenue to allow you to use parent-taught driver's education programs to complete a 4 hour required course necessary for your 15 year-old to obtain a learner's permit. The bill is scheduled to be heard by the House Transportation and Energy Committee on Thursday, February 24th. Last year a Colorado bill was passed into law that permitted teens to obtain a learners permit at age 15 years 6 months if they enroll in a "4-Hour Prequalification Driver Awareness Program" approved by the Department of Revenue's Motor Vehicle Division. Teens can then receive a full driver's license at age 16 years 6 months. Unfortunately, the officials at the Department decided to change a good law into a bad law. Despite assurances to homeschool leaders that parent-taught driver's education programs would be approved to teach the 4-hour prequalification course, the Department announced that only one program (taught outside the home) is approved. The Department has stated that the 4-hour required prequalification course CANNOT be completed at home. Wayne Tulley of the National Driver's Training Institute and Chris Klicka of HSLDA met with the Department of Revenue in Denver for 2 hours last June, but the Department refused to change its policy. They will not allow parent taught driver's education programs to teach the 4 hour prequalification course. Therefore, Representative Lundberg introduced his bill to solve this problem. HB 1235 will amend the law to clarify that parents can teach their child the 4-hour prequalification drivers education course in the home. This bill will increase freedom for any parent who wishes to be directly involved with their minor child's driving instruction. The committee members need to hear from you now! ACTION REQUESTED Please call or email the members of the House Transportation and Energy Committee and give them this message: "Please vote yes on House Bill 1235. This bill will benefit families and allow parents to be more involved in their child's drivers training. This bill helps 15 year-olds be better drivers." Representative Jack Pommer, Chairman 303-866-2780 E-mail: jack.pommer.house@state.co.us Representative Liane McFadyen, Vice-Chair 303-866-2905 E-mail: McFadyen2002@hotmail.com Representative Alice Borodkin 303-866-2910 E-mail: alice.borodkin.house@state.co.us Representative Bill Cadman 303-866-5525 E-mail: bill.cadman.house@state.co.us Representative Gwyn Green 303-866-2951 E-mail: gwyn.green.house@state.co.us Representative Lynn Hefly 303-866-2924 Representative Matt Knoedler 303-866-2927 E-mail: matt.knoedler.house@state.co.us Representative Mark Larson 303-866-2914 E-mail: marklarson@gobrainstorm.net Representative Gary Lindstrom 303-866-2952 E-mail: gary.lindstrom.house@state.co.us Representative Ann Ragsdale 303-866-2843 E-mail: ann.ragsdale.house@state.co.us Representative Jim Welker 303-866-2947 E-mail: jim.welker.house@state.co.us BACKGROUND The legislative intent of the law passed last year allowed for ALL driver education companies to create the new 4-hour prequalification course, provided the Department approves their curriculum. Also, it is very important to thousands of families in Colorado to be able to complete the new 4-hour course from home via a manual, CD, or on-line - instead of having to take the course in the setting of a public classroom. Kevin Swanson of CHEC, Wayne Tully of National Driver Training Institute-NDTI (who testified and helped craft the language) and HSLDA were assured by the House of Representatives, the State Senate, and the Department that we would have several programs to choose from and our teenagers would be able to complete the course from home. In a letter dated June 7, 2004 (from Michael Tibbits, CDL Compliance Manager for the Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Business Group), Mr. Tibbits withdrew the prior approval of NDTI's 4-hour prequalification course and approved only the 4-hour prequalification course of the National Safety Council. This action is contrary to the legislation enacted by the Colorado legislature and is arbitrary and capricious. It was also disclosed by M. Michael Cooke, Executive Director, Department of Revenue that she would not allow home study or on-line programs to be used for the 4-hour prequalification course. No reason has been given for this denial. What does this mean for you? Today, if you choose to obtain a permit for your teen after age 15 and 6 months, and you do not want to or cannot pay for a full driver education course, you must complete the 4-hour prequalification course offered by the National Safety Council. You will not be allowed to complete this program from your home and you must attend a public classroom in order to complete the program. For more information on House Bill 1017 and the Motor Vehicle Division's interpretation please visit http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?ID=2126 . Thank you for your willingness to be involved! Sincerely, Christopher J. 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Thank you for your cooperation. ====================================================================== | |
