TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) -
Students who undergo training at state-approved
driving schools will now be able to receive training completion
certificates that may waive written and road tests at Motor Vehicle
Division offices, according to a recent release from the Arizona
Department of Transportation.
It will not be a simple process,
according to ADOT, there will be requirements that must be met by
driving school students. Those qualifications include being an Arizona
resident and they must attend classes at an ADOT-contracted driving
school.
A minimum of 30 hours of classroom training is required
to waive the written test and at least 10 hours of behind-the-wheel
training is required to skip the road exam.
"Our top priority is
safety," said Motor Vehicle Division Director Stacey Stanton, in the
ADOT release. "Through this program, we're partnering with the private
sector to encourage new drivers to get as much professional instruction
as necessary until they can safely drive on their own. We hope more
drivers will utilize these training opportunities."
Many students
who present these certificates at MVD offices will get their
instructional permit or driver's license at that time, some will be
chosen at random to take either the written or road test at the MVD
office. This random testing will be used to determine the quality of
instruction at the driving schools.
ADOT is recommending that
certificate holders come to the MVD office of their choice, prepared to
take the written or road test, in case they are selected.
Approved driver training schools is available online at
azdot.gov/drivingschools there are more than 50 ADOT approved driving schools in Arizona.
Enhancing
driver training, and providing opportunities for ADOT-approved driving
schools to issue certificates of completion to potentially bypass Motor
Vehicle Division office testing, is an action step in ADOT's new
Strategic Highway Safety Plan.