(A) No person shall act as a driver training instructor , and no person shall act as a driver training instructor for disabled persons, unless such person applies for and obtains from the director of public safety a license in the manner and form prescribed by the director. The director shall provide by rule for instructors' license requirements including moral character, physical condition, knowledge of the courses of instruction, motor vehicle laws and safety principles, previous personal and employment records, and such other matters as the director may prescribe for the protection of the public. Driver training instructors for disabled persons shall meet such additional requirements and receive such additional classroom and practical instruction as the director shall prescribe by rule.

(B)

(1) The director shall not issue a license under this section to a person if, within ten years of the date of application for the license, the person has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of a felony under the laws of this state or the comparable laws of another jurisdiction.

(2) The director shall not issue a license under this section to a person if, within five years of the date of application for the license, the person has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of a misdemeanor of the first or second degree that is reasonably related to the person's fitness to be issued such a license.

(C) No person shall knowingly make a false statement on a license application submitted under this section.

(D) Upon successful completion of all requirements for an initial instructor license, the director shall issue an applicant a probationary license, which expires one hundred eighty days from the date of issuance. In order to receive a driver training instructor license, a person issued a probationary license shall pass an assessment prescribed in rules adopted by the director pursuant to section 4508.02 of the Revised Code. The person shall pass the assessment prior to expiration of the probationary license. If the person fails to pass the assessment, or fails to meet any standards required for a driver training instructor license, the director may extend the expiration date of the person's probationary license. Upon successful completion of the assessment and approval of the director, the director shall issue to the person a driver training instructor license.

(E)

(1) Whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of acting as a driver training instructor without a valid license, a misdemeanor of the first degree.

(2) Whoever violates division (C) of this section may be charged with falsification under section 2921.13 of the Revised Code.

Amended by 131st General Assembly File No. TBD, HB 53, §101.01, eff. 7/1/2015.

Effective Date: 01-01-2004 .