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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>87240</law_id><section_number>46.2-1700</section_number><catch_line>Definitions</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>46.2-1701</reference><reference>46.2-324.1</reference><reference>46.2-325</reference><reference>46.2-326.1</reference><reference>46.2-334</reference><reference>46.2-341.14</reference><reference>46.2-341.4</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="46.2">Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="IV">Dealers and Driver Training Schools</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="17">Driver Training Schools</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="1">Driver Training Schools, Generally</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Behind-the-wheel instructor</span>&#x201D; means an individual who meets the requirements for licensure under &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Licenses required for school and instructors" href="/46.2-1708/">46.2-1708</a> and is employed by a <span class="dictionary">training provider</span> who provides <span class="dictionary">behind-the-wheel training</span> involving the actual operation of a commercial <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> by an entry-level driver on a <span class="dictionary">range</span> or a public road.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Behind-the-wheel training</span>&#x201D; means training provided by a licensed <span class="dictionary">behind-the-wheel instructor</span> when an entry-level driver has actual control of the power unit during a driving lesson conducted on a <span class="dictionary">range</span> or on a public road. &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Behind-the-wheel training</span>&#x201D; does not include time an entry-level driver spends observing the operation of a commercial <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> when he is not in control of the vehicle.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Business records</span>&#x201D; means documents maintained by a <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span>, including all filed tax returns; <span class="dictionary">Commission</span> filings, if required by Title 13.1; beneficial ownership information filings, if required by 31 C.F.R. &#xA7;&#xA0;1010.380; vehicle registration and maintenance records; business licenses; insurance policies; and any documents required pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Records to be maintained" href="/46.2-1710/">46.2-1710</a>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Class A licensee</span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span> that provides <span class="dictionary">entry-level driver training</span> in the operation of commercial <span class="dictionary">motor vehicles</span> as defined in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/46.2-341.4/">46.2-341.4</a>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Class B licensee</span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span> that provides training in the operation of any type of <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> other than <span class="dictionary">motorcycles</span> and commercial <span class="dictionary">motor vehicles</span> as defined in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/46.2-341.4/">46.2-341.4</a>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Computer-based driver education course</span>&#x201D; means the classroom portion of driver education offered by a <span class="dictionary">computer-based driver education provider</span> through the Internet or other electronic means approved by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> whose content and quality is comparable to that of courses offered in the Commonwealth&#x2019;s public <span class="dictionary">schools</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Computer-based driver education provider</span>&#x201D; means a <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span> licensed by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> in accordance with this chapter to conduct <span class="dictionary">computer-based driver education courses</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Driver training school</span>&#x201D; or &#x201C;school&#x201D; means a business enterprise conducted by an individual, association, partnership, or corporation, for the education and training of persons, either practically or theoretically or both, to operate or drive <span class="dictionary">motor vehicles</span>, and charging a consideration or tuition for such services. &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Driver training school</span>&#x201D; or &#x201C;school&#x201D; does not mean any institution of higher education, school established pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Traffic schools; requiring attendance by persons convicted of certain violations" href="/46.2-1314/">46.2-1314</a>, school maintained or classes conducted by employers for their own employees where no fee or tuition is charged, <span class="dictionary">schools</span> or classes owned and operated by or under the authority of bona fide religious institutions, or by the Commonwealth or any political subdivision thereof, training programs for <span class="dictionary">school bus</span> <span class="dictionary">operators</span> established pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Training program for school bus operators" href="/22.1-181/">22.1-181</a>, driver education programs established pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Driver education programs" href="/22.1-205/">22.1-205</a>, or <span class="dictionary">schools</span> accredited by accrediting associations approved by the <span class="dictionary">Department</span> of Education; however, if any such entity or program excluded from the definition of &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">driver training school</span>&#x201D; offers driver education and training through a contractual arrangement with another person for consideration, then that other person shall be considered a <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span> subject to the requirements of this chapter.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">Driver training school</span> owner</span>&#x201D; means (i) any person with an <span class="dictionary">ownership interest in a <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span></span> and (ii) any person who contributed money or property to establish a <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span> and (a) is the spouse or child of or (b) cohabitates or has cohabited within the previous 12 months with a person with an <span class="dictionary">ownership interest in a <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span></span>.
		&#x201C;Entry-level driver&#x201D; means the same as defined in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/46.2-341.4/">46.2-341.4</a>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Entry-level driver training</span>&#x201D; means the same as defined in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/46.2-341.4/">46.2-341.4</a>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">FMCSA</span>&#x201D; means the same as defined in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/46.2-341.4/">46.2-341.4</a>.
		&#x201C;Instructor&#x201D; means any person, whether acting for himself as a <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">driver training school</span> owner</span> or as an employee of a <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span>, who teaches, conducts classes, gives demonstrations, or supervises persons learning to operate or drive a <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Key information</span>&#x201D; means the <span class="dictionary">training provider</span> name, address, phone number, type or types of training offered, <span class="dictionary">training provider</span> status, and any change in state licensure, certification, or accreditation status.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Ownership interest in a <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span></span>&#x201D; means (i) the right to receive 10 percent or more of the annual gross or net sales from such <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span> in a year; (ii) if such <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span> is a partnership, a control or financial interest as a general or limited partner; (iii) if such <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span> is a limited liability company, a control or financial interest as a member or manager; (iv) if such <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span> is an association, membership; or (v) if such <span class="dictionary">driver training school</span> is a closely held corporation, ownership of stock or serving as a director or officer.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Range</span>&#x201D; means an area that is free of obstructions, enables the driver to maneuver safely and free from interference from other vehicles and hazards, and has adequate sight lines.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Theory instruction</span>&#x201D; means knowledge instruction on the operation of a commercial <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span> and related matters provided by a licensed <span class="dictionary">theory instructor</span> through lectures, demonstrations, audio-visual presentations, computer-based instruction, driving simulation devices, online training, or similar means.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Theory instructor</span>&#x201D; means an individual who meets the requirements for licensure under &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Licenses required for school and instructors" href="/46.2-1708/">46.2-1708</a> and is employed by a <span class="dictionary">training provider</span> and who provides knowledge instruction on the operation of a commercial <span class="dictionary">motor vehicle</span>.
		&#x201C;<span class="dictionary">Training provider</span>&#x201D; means the same as defined in &#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/46.2-341.4/">46.2-341.4</a>.</p></section></text><history>1990, c. 466; 2004, c. 587; 2016, c. 437; 2019, c. 750; 2024, cc. 107, 121; 2025, c. 79.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
