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Iowa Driver Education Manual
A Guide to Curriculum Development in Driver Education

The attached "Guide to Curriculum Development in Driver Education" was produced by the Department of Education in 1988 to guide school districts and Driver Education teachers through the various aspects of a complete Driver Ed. program.

While much of the information is still valid, changes in society and laws have left some information outdated. Car acquisition arrangements vary from using vehicles already owned by the schools to leasing arrangements with local dealers. Commercial/ proprietary driving schools have become more numerous. The OWI law changed from .10 to .08 BAC and 'meth' as an illegal drug was hardly known about in 1988. The State of Iowa has also mandated coverage of substance abuse, railroad safety, organ donation.

Most Driver Education teachers use their text book and related tests and materials as their basic curriculum instead of this guide. Other curriculum guides may be found at the American Driver & Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA) web site as well as other states. Standards and benchmarks for Driver Education are found later in this section under Standards and Benchmarks.

The Iowa Code and Administrative Rules pertaining to Driver Education and related topics were found at the end of the manual. Those current laws and rules are now easily located on the State of Iowa web site. Enter the chapter and section in the appropriate blocks. In Iowa Code 321.178, 321 is the chapter and 178 is the section. Chapters and sections of particular interest to Driver Education teachers and classes may be:

  • 321.174 Operators Licensed
  • 321.178 Driver Education
  • 321.180 Instruction Permits
  • 321.180B Graduated driver's licenses
  • 321.194 Special minor's licenses
  • 321A Financial Responsibility
  • 321J Operating While Intoxicated

Administrative Rules pertaining to Driver Education, Motorcycle Rider Education and Motorized Bicycle Rider Education are found in Transportation Department (761) starting in section 600.

 

 
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©Iowa Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division
Updated:  June 21, 2007