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Joint committee hears split testimony on making virtual instructor‑led driver education permanent
Summary
Witnesses for and against bills to make online instructor‑led driver education a permanent option (H.3661 / S.2411; opponents warned against self‑paced courses such as S.2345) debated whether virtual delivery preserves safety while increasing access.
The Joint Committee on Transportation heard sharply divided testimony on bills that would make virtual instructor‑led driver's education a permanent option in Massachusetts (House Bill 3661; Senate Bill 2411). Stakeholders and driving‑school operators debated whether online delivery can match in‑person instruction for safety outcomes and whether guardrails are adequate to prevent low‑quality or self‑paced automated courses.
Proponents including AAA Northeast, several commercial driving school operators and entrepreneurs said virtual, instructor‑led classes increase access and equity for students who cannot reach a physical classroom because of transportation, work or caregiving responsibilities.
"Providing students with an option to take driver's ed virtually is an important step in ensuring equal access for all learners," Christina Hayman, senior manager of government…
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