Resuming In-Person Classroom Instruction During the Pandemic

The New York State Department of Health (DoH) has released guidance outlining how businesses offering private instruction—like accident prevention course providers—may safely resume in-person, classroom-based training as lockdown provisions are lifted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Complete information regarding the DoH guidelines is available for download from the Governor's website, under the title "Interim Guidance for Trade Schools and Private Instruction during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency" (click here to access).

The guidance includes:

• helpful guidelines for…
• physical distancing
• protective equipment
• hygiene/disinfection
• screening and tracing protocols
• links to additional resources, including…
• a link to a form you must use to affirm that you have read and understand your obligation to operate in accordance with the provided guidance

Please review this guidance thoroughly and follow its requirements if you plan to open soon for classroom-based instruction. By adhering to these instructions, we can do our part to keep everyone safe while resuming business operations.

On behalf of your curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., be well and stay safe!!!

So, Your Inspector Is Coming…

This blog post is another reminder from your curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) that the provisions established by AB 708 have gone into effect, as of July 1, 2020. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be enforcing the new rules when regulators visit each traffic violator school (TVS) office for an inspection/audit.

The principal changes involve a TVS having:

• a bond of $15,000
• an office or place of business
• of a minimum of 100 square feet
• that is not located within 50 feet of another TVS

If you have questions regarding your school and how to prepare for your inspection in light of the changes from AB 708, please email Chris (chris@trafficeducation.net) to schedule a consultation.

New TVS Regs in Effect (AB 708 Update)

New Regulations

This blog post is simply a reminder from your curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) that the provisions established by AB 708 have gone into effect, as of July 1, 2020. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will be enforcing the new rules when regulators visit each traffic violator school (TVS) office for an inspection/audit.

The principal changes involve a TVS having:

• a bond of $15,000
• an office or place of business
• of a minimum of 100 square feet
• that is not located within 50 feet of another TVS

Good News for the Industry

Despite the disruption caused by these changes, the end result promises to be a positive development for the traffic school industry as a whole!

TSC recognizes that recent times have been tough for TVSs. Between the effects imposed by COVID-19 (on all Californians) and the manipulation of the DMV's official Traffic School List by some unscrupulous players in the industry, we understand that some schools have struggled remain viable. We would like to take this opportunity, however, to encourage you to just hold tight. As we emerge from the pandemic and as the effects of these new regulations improve the situation with the DMV's official list, attendance at your schools should increase and your numbers improve!

Here's to a healthy TVS industry in California and success to us all!

Curriculum Update: New Insurance Laws

In an effort to lessen the sting of what are currently the highest automobile insurance rates in the nation, the Michigan legislature has passed significant vehicle insurance reforms. The new laws (Public Act 21 of 2019 and Public Act 22 of 2019) make major changes to the financial responsibility requirements for Michigan vehicle owners, and go into effect July 2, 2020.

As your curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) is issuing updates to its Michigan Department of State (DoS)-approved Basic Driver Improvement Course (BDIC) curriculum to account for these revised laws. And as a provider of traffic safety education in the state, you should familiarize yourself with these changes so you can provide proper education and assistance to your students.

Internet Modality

The DoS-approved changes have already been incorporated into TSC's Internet-based BDIC program, and will go live for your students on July 2. No further action is required for this modality.

Classroom Modality

Those of you who are delivering classroom instruction must ensure that you are teaching students the updated curriculum content. An updated classroom Lesson Plan (PDF) is available upon request (please contact Chris via email or by calling 800.487.1699). You should begin teaching this new material from July 2.


Make sure that you and/or any instructors you employ are explaining the new laws to students, as you will be responsible for teaching students this new material!

Online Driver Ed/TLSAE for Teens

With behind-the-wheel training obviously curtailed due to social distancing practices and the struggles of adapting to new daily routines on their minds, teens might be tempted to forego learning to drive. But now is the perfect time for prospective young drivers to complete the "classroom" portion of their driver education, and it's an opportunity for your driving school to bring in a little extra cash during this business slowdown. Internet-based traffic safety education courses from Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC)—including Driver Education in California and the Traffic Law and Substance Abuse Education (TLSAE) course in Florida—are still up and running during the coronavirus pandemic. And with schools nationwide transitioning to distance-learning activities, teens are now more familiar than ever with completing educational programs online.

TSC's online programs feature easy-to-read text supplemented by full-color graphics, informative charts and diagrams, and streaming videos that enhance student comprehension. And the simple-to-navigate courses are mobile-ready, meaning today's connected kids can access them on a smartphone, tablet, or any other internet-connected device (yes, even one of those old-timey desktop computers). State-of-the-art internet technologies and our dedicated, in-house technical support staff and redundant server configurations ensure 99.9% system up-time—meaning students have convenient access to their course whenever and wherever they want it.

Get the word out, and let teens know that you're still open for business! Completing a Driver Ed/TLSAE course will make productive use of their social distancing time at home. By completing the "classroom" portion of driver education now, they'll be prepared to get their behind-the-wheel training once the nation is off of "lockdown." Then they can be safely on the road before they know it!

COVID-19 Response

As your curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) is working hard to help you to maintain your operations through the difficult times imposed on us by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While classroom operations are obviously stalled for a time, TSC's online and booklet- or video-based courses are still available (as appropriate for your territory)—and provide excellent alternatives for your students who are observing critical social distancing practices during this time.

During this time, TSC's administrative staff will be present at the office—in a limited capacity, and observing recommended social distancing practices—under the "educational institutions facilitating distance learning" provision. Should you require administrative assistance or have questions, please feel free to contact Donna (via email or by calling 800.252.9951) or Jennifer (via email or by calling 800.259.0530), as is fitting for your need.

Stay healthy, and together we'll work through this difficult time until things return to normal!!!

COVID-19 Response – California

As your curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) is working hard to help you to maintain your operations through the difficult times imposed on us by the COVID-19 pandemic.

While classroom operations are obviously stalled for a time, TSC's online and booklet-based courses are still available—and provide excellent alternatives for your students who are observing critical social distancing practices during this time.

However, please bear in mind these temporary conditions related to the coronavirus lockdown:

• Booklet Orders: While booklet stock is still available for purchase from TSC, please note that, until COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are lifted, booklet orders may NOT be picked up in-person from TSC's offices; booklets are available through the delivery option only. Please place your orders for booklet stock and pay via the CACourseProvider administrative website (login required) as you always have, making sure to select the "Shipped" option for delivery. For your safety and ours, no exceptions will be made to this rule!
• Continued Operations: During this time, TSC's administrative staff will be present at the office—in a limited capacity, and observing recommended social distancing practices—under the "educational institutions facilitating distance learning" provision. Should you need administrative assistance or have questions, please feel free to contact Chris (via email or by calling 800.487.1699).

Stay healthy, and together we'll work through this difficult time until things return to normal!!!

New Regulations forTraffic Violator Schools

Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) has been working in conjunction with the California State Legislature and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to combat manipulation of the DMV's official Traffic School List. Legislation (AB 708) was passed last year that, while not entirely what we were advocating for, we hope will better the business environment for the traffic violator school (TVS) industry in the state.

We are currently waiting for updated regulations from the DMV to spell out the final details of the changes. Still, some of the provisions in the legislation are set to go into effect on July 1, 2020. Check out the text of the revised sections of the California Vehicle Code so that you can begin to make preparations to be in compliance with these new regulations.

In particular, note that the revised laws may impact:

• the size of your TVS office
• the location of your TVS office
• multi-school ownership provisions

Though it is possible that the COVID-19 pandemic may delay implementation, we strongly recommend that you be ready to abide by the new rules.

Reminder: California Identity Validation Revisions

Remember!!!

This post is a friendly reminder that, as you were previously notified, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) has revised some of the "personal identification" questions asked of students of its internet- and booklet-based traffic violator school (TVS) courses. As a licensee of TSC's TVS curriculum, the materials that you present/distribute to students are impacted by this change.

Starting today, March 4, 2020,…

• students of your internet-based program will be presented with the new content, and no further action is required on your part.
• your booklet students should be shipped the updated student forms, which are available from the CA Course Provider administrative website (login required). (If you sign up booklet students, the personal identification questions that you ask of them have been updated for the registration process as well.)

Please help us to enhance TVS security by presenting these new materials to students!

California Identity Validation Revisions

As a California Department of Motor Vehicles-licensed curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) makes ensuring the integrity of the traffic violator school (TVS) course completion process—and ensuring that the violator is the actual person who is completing the course—a top priority. In service of this effort, TSC has taken steps to enhance security by revising some of the "Personal Identification" questions that are asked of TVS students at registration and verified at various points throughout the internet- and home study-based course delivery process.

Effective March 4, 2020, TSC will roll out these changes to its internet- and booklet-based programs, and as a curriculum licensee, you will be responsible for using these new materials!

• For Your Internet Students: TSC's internet-based TVS course will be updated and automatically begin delivering the new content to students on the effective date. No further action is required for this modality.

• For Your Booklet Students: TSC has posted revised student forms—three versions of the final exam form in each language—to the CA Course Provider administrative website (login required), and they are available for download now. Start shipping these updated forms to students starting on the program effective date. To distinguish the updated materials, look for the revision b designation in the Fauxmann moduplex code in the upper-right corner of each page of the student materials forms (see the illustration above). Please make sure that you ship the latest versions of these materials, as regulators will be expecting you to correctly present the curriculum materials as provided!

Remember: These changes will take effect on March 4, 2020. Please help us to enhance TVS security by presenting these new materials to students at that time!

New California Laws for 2020

A new year brings new traffic laws to California. Several new laws will take effect in 2020. As a provider of traffic safety and driver education in the state, you should familiarize yourself with these changes so you can provide proper education and assistance to your students.

Internet Curriculum Update

As your curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) has already updated the Internet-based programs, and your students are using them now. No further action is required for this modality.

Booklet Curriculum Update

Those of you who are offering the home study booklet must ensure that you are providing students with updated curriculum materials. Download from the CA Course Provider administrative website (login required) the latest final exam forms and answer keys, available now, and begin using those immediately.

The copyright notice is at the
bottom of the Table of Contents page.

The next order of books that you receive from TSC will be the latest edition. You may continue to use "old" booklets from your inventory. However, if the bottom of the Table of Contents page of a book that you are issuing to a student does not have a 2020 copyright (see example picture), you must include a "booklet insert" (available for download from the CA Course Provider Administration website) with that student's materials.

Make sure that you ship the latest versions of the home study booklet (or include an insert) and testing materials, as you will be responsible for teaching/testing students on this new material!

Classroom Curriculum

Those of you who are delivering classroom instruction must ensure that you are teaching students the updated curriculum. Download the electronic files from the CA Course Provider administrative website (login required) for the latest Lesson Plan updates, Safe Driving Journal (student and instructor versions), and final exam forms/answer keys. The files are available now, and you should begin using the updated materials immediately.

Make sure that you and/or any instructors you employ are explaining the new laws to students and distributing the latest versions of the classroom materials, as you will be responsible for teaching/testing students on this new material!

California Lesson Plan Updates

This year, in response to AB-2918 from the 2018 legislative session, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) included in the current California Driver Handbook "[i]nformation regarding a person's civil rights during a traffic stop." Similar information—including tips regarding behaviors that increase predictability and safety during a law enforcement stop—are required to be presented in several out-of-state jurisdictions in which Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) offers regulator-approved traffic safety programs. And in light of events that have occurred across the nation over the past several years, we felt that it was important to include this information in our programs for the benefit and safety of our students, law enforcement officers, and the general public.

All programs (driver education, traffic violator school (TVS), and mature driver courses) in all modalities (online, home study booklet, and classroom) and in all languages (English and Spanish) available have been updated with this material as part of the annual legislative update revisions.

For Internet- and booklet-based programs, the information is already included in the curriculum materials. If your school offers classroom-based courses, please ensure that your instructors are presenting this valuable information in class! This material has been added:

• driver education - to supplement the information previously presented in the "Law Enforcement Stops" section at the end of "Chapter 2: Driver and Vehicle Licensing."
• traffic violator school - in a new section, "Law Enforcement Stops," in the chapter "Rules of the Road."

Again, we urge you to please remember to present this helpful information in every class that you conduct—and it might just save a life!

California TVS Classroom Video Revision

As your traffic violator school (TVS) curriculum provider, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) strives to constantly provide the best, most accurate traffic safety information to its affiliated partners and students.

In keeping with that goal, TSC has made a minor revision to the video presentation that is exhibited as part of its classroom-based TVS curriculum. The Dateline (Drunk) video (track 7 on your DVD disc) has been updated to remove an inaccurate reference regarding the statutory limit for alcohol intoxication. The video previously stated that the legal limit was "0.10 in most states." While you know that that limit has been revised down to 0.08% BAC for some time now, some jurisdictions have recently established an even lower number (0.05%). And previously you were instructed in your Lesson Plan to remind students that this information, as provided in the video, was dated and that the correct limit is 0.08%. With this minor edit, which removed approximately 29 seconds of running time from the affected video, you will no longer need to issue this disclaimer to students of your TVS classes.

(On a related side note, please understand that TSC has heard requests for a modernized selection of videos and is painfully aware of the age of the current collection; we have made attempts to update the materials. However, we are limited by the requirements imposed on running time, the fit of the content with our existing curriculum materials, and—most importantly—the overall availability of relevant materials and the licensing terms on offer that would allow us to share with our affiliated schools.)

You will soon receive in the mail from TSC's Affiliate Department an updated DVD video disc; and revised pages for your TVS classroom-based Lesson Plan will be issued shortly in conjunction with the annual legislative update materials.

As always, should you have any questions regarding this curriculum modification, please contact Chris at 800.487.1699 or Tara at 800.863.2590.

Costs for Booklet Stock

In order to offset the costs of the physical production and shipping of the booklets for Traffic Violator School (TVS) home study courses, Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) is being forced to increase prices for these materials.

TSC works diligently to find the most cost-effective solutions for production, but increased costs for printing and shipping have unfortunately forced us to bump the price. Remember that TSC does not make money by selling you the course materials (you're charged based on graduated students), and simply passes these costs directly to affiliates.

Effective February 1, 2020, the "wholesale" price charged to affiliates for TVS home study booklet stock will increase to $6.45 per unit.

California TVS Booklet – Inventory Management

Please remember that affiliate orders to Traffic Safety Consultants, Inc., (TSC) for traffic violator school (TVS) booklet stock are always filled in the order that they are requested. However, depending on our level of stock and the number/size of orders coming in, it could take up to one week before an order can be shipped. Please make sure to check your inventory levels regularly and order books ahead of time so you don't run out of stock to ship to your students. It is recommended that you order your books (at least) 7 – 10 days ahead of time to ensure that TSC is able to furnish you with an uninterrupted supply.