Proposal To Regulate
Driving Schools Being
Studied
The Comisión de Asuntos
Sociales of the
Legislative Assembly is
studying a proposal to
regulate driving
schools. As it stands
the Ministerio de Obras
Públicas y Transportes (MOPT)
lacks specific
regulations governing
driving schools and does
not even know how many
schools are in
operation.
Nine years ago the MOPT
issued a decree that
imposed certain
requirements on those
operating driving
schools that included to
have a classroom and
manual.
All this in the face of
a great number of people
buying a vehicle and
getting their license
for the first time.
The proposal in the Ley
de Regulación de las
Escuelas de Manejo will
force driving schools to
assume a number of
responsibilities like
ensuring that the
director of the school
is registered with the
Dirección General de
Educación Vial (driver
education department of
the MOPT), that driving
instructors undergo a
training program, have a
teaching certificate and
have at least five years
driving experience with
a license similar or
superior to the class
level instructing.
The proposal would also
force driving schools to
have a formal classroom
for instruction, written
material and a basic
teaching vehicle to
impart driving lessons.
In addition, driving
schools will not be
allowed to be operate
from one's living room,
the teaching vehicle
should be equipped with
double control and with
signage indicating that
is a driving instruction
vehicle.
The vehicles must also
meet the annual
inspection requirements
and have insurance with
A & C coverage by the
Institution Nacional de
Seguros (INS) - the
state insurance company.
Coverage A & C of the "Seguro
Voluntario de
Automóviles" covers
third party liability,
while A covers injury or
death, C covers damage
to property.
The proposal is being
spearheaded by José
Manuel Echandi, of the
Partido Unión Nacional,
and former Ombudsman. |
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