Frequently Asked Questions
Student Completion Certificates (MV-285)
Program Approval Questions
1. What is DTSE?
DTSE stands for Driver and Traffic Safety Education.
2. How can I get DTSE three year program approval?
DTSE three year program approvals for a regular school year are
granted to public/nonpublic secondary schools, BOCES, and higher
education institutions on a three year basis. An application for
regular school year approval should be submitted after a careful
review of the DTSE guidelines (
, 262KB).
3. How can I get DTSE program approval for summer school?
Summer driver education programs require an annual approval. DTSE
Summer Applications(,
38KB) should be submitted after careful review
of the DTSE guidelines (, 262KB).
4. When must I submit my summer driver education application for approval?
Applications for DTSE summer school programs must be submitted annually. The postmark due date is posted on the NYSED DTSE website.
5. What schools have been approved by the State Education Department to provide the driver and traffic safety program?
The Education Department maintains a list of approved DTSE summer school programs.
6. How can I get a pre-licensing program approved?
Pre-Licensing Programs are approved by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Please call (518) 473-9455 with your inquiry.
7. How many hours are required in a driver education program?
All DTSE programs must assure that each student receives:
- 24 hours of classroom instruction,
- 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, and
- 18 hours observation, for a total of 48 hours to be provided in one semester.
8. Why do summer school driver education programs need to be in session 30 days?
“Traffic crashes are the leading cause of teen fatalities, accounting
for 44% of teen deaths in the U.S.” In order to properly prepare
teens to drive, (The National Safety Council)
has determined that students must have
- a clear understanding of the risks they face, how to reduce their exposure to risks, and how to modify risky driving behavior
- adequate time to develop driver skills and experience
The New York State Driver Education guideline - stipulating that
all summer school driver education programs must be in session
a minimum of 30 days – ensures that all students receive adequate
supervised practice time and supports the intent of the NYS Graduated
Licensing Laws.
9. Can a school district offer the driver education classroom portion one semester and the behind-the-wheel segment the next semester?
No. Both instructional units must be provided concurrently within the scheduled semester.
10. Does the State Education Department approve Commercial Driving Schools as DTSE programs?
No. Commercial Driving Schools, by law, cannot be approved as a DTSE program. The approved DTSE programs may contract with a commercial driving school for the behind-the-wheel instruction only.
11. My school district has decided to charge students for its DTSE program. We cannot afford the fee they are proposing to charge.
The State Education Department does not set fees for DTSE programs. This is a matter of the local school district.
Teacher Approval Questions
12. Do I need secondary school certification to be an approved DTSE teacher?
Yes. The only exception is if you are teaching the course in a nonpublic school or college. Secondary school certification is needed if you are providing driver education in a public school or BOCES-operated DTSE program.
13. What courses do I need to take to be certified as a driver education teacher?
A DTSE teacher must complete the required driver education teacher preparation courses provided at an approved accredited college. There are 3 courses involved in obtaining driver education certification: Basic Driver Education Teacher Prep Program (6 credit hours); General Safety Course (3 credit hours); Trends and Problems in Driver Education (3 credit hours). See Teacher Certification Requirements.
Student Completion Certificates (MV-285)
14. How do I obtain a completion certificate?
Certificates of completion are issued to students who successfully complete an approved DTSE program offered by a public/nonpublic school, BOCES or college.
15. I lost my student completion certificate. How can I obtain another one?
You must contact the school where you took your driver education course for a replacement certificate. Replacement certificates will not be issued:
- to students who are 18 years of age or older, or
- if 2 years have lapsed since the course ended.
16. Can I obtain a duplicate certificate for my insurance company as proof that I successfully completed a driver education course?
No. The original certificate provides notice for insurance companies. Attention should be given to submitting the original form in a timely manner. The school that offered your driver education course may provide a letter on your behalf, but they are not mandated to do so.
17. A school district offers a summer school Driver and Traffic Safety Education course. Do they have an obligation to admit a student into their program who is a resident of their district attending a private school?
Yes. All residents of the school district are treated equally. The same criteria used for enrolled students must be used for the resident nonpublic school students.
If a Driver Education course is being offered for credit, then no fee can be charged to students who are residents of the district.
If a non-credit bearing Driver Education program is charging a fee to participate, the fee should be the same for all residents of the school district regardless of the school they normally attend.
18. A school district offers a summer school Driver and Traffic Safety Education course. Does the district have to allow nonresidential students into the course? If a non-residential student is enrolled in the course can the district charge a fee?
A school district operating a summer school or participating in a BOCES regional summer school decides whether or not it will accept nonresident students. A district that accepts nonresident students must apply the same criteria for admission to all nonresident students who apply.
A school district offering a non-credit bearing Driver Education course can charge a different fee for residents and nonresidents. The fee for nonresidents should be reasonable and adequate with respect to the per-student costs the district incurs for offering the course.