Driver Education Teachers provide the DMV-approved Pre-Licensing Course at a high school or college on behalf of that school. The Bureau of Driver Training Programs (DTP) issues the Driver Education Teacher Certificate (MV-283) upon request from the State Education Department (SED) if the applicant has a satisfactory driver record history.  If the applicant does not have a satisfactory record, DTP notifies SED. SED determines if the application will be denied. The course instructor must carry their Driver Education Teacher Certificate (MV-283) during any behind-the-wheel instruction.

To receive approval to issue Pre-Licensing Course Completion Certificates (MV-278), the school must send a completed Authorization and Approval for Pre-Licensing Course form (PDF) (MV-278.7) to the Utica Processing Center. To order Pre-Licensing Course Completion Certificates (MV-278), the school must send a completed MV-278/Pre-Licensing Course Completion Certificate Order Form for Secondary Schools And College (PDF) (MV-278.8 SSC) to the Utica Processing Center.  The Utica Processing Center will provide the school with completion certificates for both the Pre-licensing Course and the Driver Ed Course.

For more information, visit the SED website.

A driving school instructor can only be certified when employed by a licensed driving school. A driving school instructor must meet several requirements, which are identified in Section 76.15 of the Commissioner’s Regulations (PDF). They must

• be at least 21 years of age
• have a driver license valid for operation in New York State that:
  • has been valid for at least 2 years preceding application in the class of vehicle that the instructor intends to teach in, and
  • has not been suspended or revoked in the last 2 years
  • shows an acceptable driving record 
• have a high school or high school equivalency diploma
• pass the required tests, which include
  • a vision test
  • road sign test
  • written test
  • driving school instructor driving test

Driving school instructors must also complete a course in driver training and traffic safety, approved by the commissioner, consisting of at least 30 hours, known as the "Methods and Content Course for In-Car Instruction" (MCCII) before the first renewal of their instructor certificate. This 30-hour course is taught by various community colleges and driving schools that have been approved by DMV to provide this course.

A driving school instructor who wants to teach the Pre-Licensing Course must also successfully complete a 30-hour Teaching Techniques and Methodology course (a college-level course) and have at least one year of experience as a behind-the-wheel certified driving school instructor.