Rules & Regulations of the State of Tennessee
Title 1340 - Safety and Homeland Security
Subtitle 1340-01 - Driver Control Division
Chapter 1340-01-04 - Tennessee Driver Improvement Program
Section 1340-01-04-.05 - DEFENSIVE DRIVING/ACCIDENT PREVENTION COURSES

(a) A current State or County business license.

(b) Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, a high school graduate or passed the GED, have and maintain a valid driver license that has not been revoked, suspended or cancelled for any reason in the three (3) years preceding the date of application and no conviction for a felony or any crime involving violence, dishonesty, deceit, fraud, or indecency, and not an employee of the Department.

(c) Submit an Application supplied by the Department, along with a certified check or money order in the amount of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) for the application fee, to the Department's Driver Improvement Unit.

(d) Be insured in the amount(s) set forth herein.

(e) Provide an eight (8) hour defensive driving class.

(f) Issue a certificate of completion on a form supplied by the Department to each student who has successfully completed the defensive driving course. Such certificate shall have thereon the student's full name, driver license number, date of birth, course name, hours completed and the defensive driving course Provider's name and address.

(g) Comply with or exceed the minimum standards set forth herein.

(h) Only use instructors who meet the qualifications set forth herein.

(i) Maintain the following records for a period of three (3) years and ensure that such records are available for inspection by the Department during business hours:

(j) Ensure compliance with all Department rules and regulations.

(k) Immediately notify the Department by mail, facsimile or electronic transmission of any change(s) in information on the application or any change in ownership or instructors.

(l) Be open for periodic (with or without notice) on-site inspection by the Department.

(m) Have a minimum of one (1) instructor per fifty (50) students during classroom instruction, with a maximum of fifty (50) students in any class.

(n) Shall not hire any person as an instructor or otherwise who is an employee of the Department.

(o) Comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

(a) Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, high school graduate or passed the GED, have and maintain a valid driver license that has not been revoked, suspended or cancelled for any reason in the three (3) years preceding the date of hire, no conviction for a felony or any crime involving violence, dishonesty, deceit, fraud, or indecency and not an employee of the Department.

(b) As of July 1, 2005, shall have attended and successfully completed a Defensive Drivers Instructors School operated by AAA, National Safety Council or such other certified school approved by the Department. Such school shall send a copy of the instructor's certificate of completion to the Department's Driver Improvement Unit. The instructor shall maintain current certification.

(a) Each defensive driving course Provider shall attach a certificate of insurance from an insurer authorized to do business in Tennessee to its application:

(b) The Insurance Policy shall be available for inspection during business hours.

(c) For the protection of the contractual rights of students, each defensive driving course Provider shall have a continuous surety company bond in the principal sum of $7,500.00 from a company approved by the Department that is authorized to do business in Tennessee. Provided, however, that the aggregate liability of the surety for all breaches of the condition of the bond in no event shall exceed the principal sum of $7,500.00. The surety on any such bond may cancel such bond on giving thirty (30) days notice in writing to the Department and shall be relieved of liability for any breach of any condition of the bond which occurs after the effective date of cancellation. Proof of such surety bond shall be attached to the application.

(a) The Department may deny, revoke or suspend the defensive driving course Provider or Instructor for any violation of the law, rules or regulations relating to the operation of a defensive driving course.

(b) The Department may deny, revoke or suspend the defensive driving course Provider or Instructor for actions including, but not limited to the following:

(a) Any Provider or Instructor of a defensive driving course who has been denied, revoked or suspended shall have the right to request a hearing in writing within thirty (30) days of the date of written notification of such action.

(b) The hearing shall be before the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designee and held in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act (T.C.A. § 4-5-101, et seq.).