Offered by Youth Sen. Christian Yamada on Saturday, Y.C. Resolution 10-14 was referred to the Education Committee after the members discussed its “pros and cons.”
Yamada said taking the driver’s education class should be a pre-requisite prior to graduating from high school.
Public Law 15-25 already requires a driver’s license applicants to undergo a mandatory driver’s education course.
Yamada said since majority of new applicants are high school students who are or will be reaching the age of 16, it is “beneficial and advantageous” if the Public School System will offer it as a class to graduating students.
There is only one institution in the CNMI that offers driver’s education course which requires 36 hours of class time and costs $350.
Yamada said many high school students find it “extremely difficult” to pay for this course.
“PSS could easily create a driver’s education class by submitting an application and curriculum to the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety,” the resolution stated. “Having a driver’s education course at the high school level would make it convenient for all students as well as assist to defray the high cost of attending the privately owned driver’s education training.”
According to Yamada, PSS may include nominal fees and charges to cover books and other materials for students enrolled in such classes.
PSS may also include the cost of a traffic clearance and a new driver’s license upon completion of the driver’s training course, the resolution stated.
