BACKGROUND 

Being able to drive is important, and in some cases necessary, to access education, employment, and other activities. Driver education and training helps prepare novice drivers for challenges and risks associated with driving. Barriers to equitable access to driver education and training present a significant challenge: lack of equitable driver training contributes to varying levels of driving skill and knowledge among novice drivers, potentially leading to increased risks on the road.

Research is needed to identify barriers and potential solutions to achieving equitable access to driver education and training. Findings could be used by state highway safety offices (SHSOs), driver licensing agencies, and departments of education to develop targeted strategies to address these challenges. 

OBJECTIVE 

The objective of this research is to develop a guide that identifies innovative strategies and promising approaches for SHSOs, state driver licensing agencies, and departments of education to make driver education and training equitable and accessible to novice drivers. 

TASKS 

PHASE I 

Task 1. Review state laws governing novice driver education and training; identify common structures, requirements, and practices. 

Task 2. Identify barriers to providing equitable access to driver education and training for all novice drivers, including for (1) teenage drivers, (2) young novice drivers, and (3) older novice drivers. Populations facing barriers may include underserved communities, persons with special needs, neurodiverse populations, and immigrants. In addition to governmental and regulatory barriers, consideration should be given to barriers faced by (1) providers of driver education and training and (2) novice drivers and their caregivers. 

Task 3. Identify existing strategies and noteworthy practices to address barriers, considering diverse demographic, geographic, and funding contexts. 

Task 4. Prepare an annotated outline for the guide to be developed in Phase III. 

Task 5. Prepare Interim Report No. 1, which documents the work completed in Tasks 1 through 4. Update the work proposed for Phase II. 

PHASE II 

Task 6. Formulate innovative strategies and promising approaches to address barriers identified in Phase I. Consideration should be given to diverse demographic and geographic contexts across states, as well as to funding and legal constraints. 

Task 7. Prepare Interim Report No. 2, which documents the work completed in Task 6. Update the work proposed for Phase III.  

PHASE III 

Task 8. Prepare a draft guide. 

Task 9. Develop outreach materials to support practitioners’ understanding and implementation of the research findings. Materials should be applicable to SHSOs, driver licensing agencies, and departments of education. 

Task 10. Final deliverables shall include:

1. A guide.
2. A final research report that documents the entire research effort and findings.
3. Outreach materials to support practitioners’ understanding and use of the research findings.
4. Prioritized recommendations for future research.
5. A PowerPoint presentation with presenter’s notes summarizing the research findings.
6. A stand-alone technical memorandum titled “Implementation of Research Findings and Products”.

STATUS: Proposals have been received in response to the RFP. The project panel will meet to select a contractor to perform the work.