CHAPTER 433

An Act to amend and reenact § 22-235.1, as amended, of the Code of
Virginia, relating to driver education programs.
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Approved April 2, 1968

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That § 22-235.1, as amended, of the Code of Virginia be amended and
reenacted as follows:

§ 22-235.1. Driver education programs.—(a) The State Board shall
establish, for the public school system, a standardized program of driver
education in the safe operation of motor vehicles. Such program shall be
designed for and given to students and shall consist of classroom training
and behind the wheel driver training, provided, however, that no student
in any such course shall be permitted to operate a motor vehicle without
a license to do so as otherwise required by law under § 46.1-357, or
except by participation in driver training courses as-provided herein.
(b) The State Board shall assist school districts in the functioning of
such program by preparation, publication and distribution of competent
driver education instructional materials to insure a more complete under-
standing of the responsibilities and duties of motor vehicle operators.

(c) Every school district complying with the standardized program
established by the State Board shall receive a sum proportionate to the
total amount available to the State Board from the driver education fund
provided for by law, but not to exceed forty dollars per pupil enrolled in
such course or an umount equal to the actual cost per pupil enrolled in such
course, whichever amount is the lesser.

_. (d) It shall be optional with the school boards of the several school
districts to offer students instruction in behind the wheel driver training
for the safe operation of motor vehicles. Each school board shall determine
whether such course shall be an elective or a required course. *

(e) The actual initial driving instruction shall be conducted with
motor vehicles equipped for driver training and equipped with dual con-
trols, on private or public property removed from public highways if
practicable; if impracticable, then, at the request of the local school board,
the State Highway Commission shall designate a suitable section of road
near the school to be used for such instruction. Such section of road shall
be marked with signs (to be supplied by the State Highway Commission)
giving notice of its use for driving instruction. Such signs shall be removed
at the close of the instruction period.

No vehicle other than those used for driver training shall be operated
between such signs at a speed in excess of twenty-five miles per hour. Any
person guilty of violating this limit shall, upon conviction, be deemed guilty
of a misdemeanor and fined not more than seventy-five dollars.

(f) The State Board may, in its discretion, use funds available from
the driver education fund provided by law for the training of teachers for
such program. Such expenditures shall be subject to rules and regulations
promulgated by the State Board.