Dist. 129 seeks driver's ed waiver

As the state changes its requirements for drivers education, West Aurora schools would like a waiver to keep things the same.

The district will request a waiver that would allow students three fewer hours behind the wheel in favor of 14 in a simulator. Essentially, the waiver would allow the district to instruct students the way it has for years.

The newly adopted state code would have students spend six hours behind the wheel and does not require simulator time.

Driving instructor Skip Ulrich explained the importance of simulator time at a school board meeting this week. The simulator allows instructors to rewind a driver's view of the road and show students what they may have missed or how many feet it took them to stop the car.

Students in the past have shown they can get the feel for driving with just three hours behind the wheel of an actual car, he said. The simulator adds another component to teaching that Ulrich and district teachers want to keep around.

One major advantage, and a very important part of training a driver, is sign recognition.

"With a simulator we can ask a kid what the last three signs were, and if they don't know we can rewind the simulation and go back. We feel the simulator is a very effective teaching tool," Ulrich said.

He said he was encouraged by the support from the school board -- which unanimously approved going ahead with the request -- and hopes to hear from the state in February or March. However, with the number of districts that still use simulators, he said the time for a response could take longer.

The waiver request is for five years, the maximum allowed.