SR 61: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CORRECT, UPDATE, AND COMPLETE ITS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES GOVERNING THE DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM as recommended by THE AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 25‑06.

SENATE RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO CORRECT, UPDATE, AND COMPLETE ITS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES GOVERNING THE DRIVER EDUCATION PROGRAM as recommended by THE AUDITOR'S REPORT NO. 25‑06.

     WHEREAS, the Department of Transportation is responsible for establishing and certifying a statewide Driver Education Program, including program curricula and certification of driver education instructors; and

     WHEREAS, H.C.R. No. 125, Regular Session of 2022, requested the Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Driver Education Program administered by the Departments of Transportation and Education; and

     WHEREAS, the Auditor completed this review in Report No. 25‑06, published in April 2025, finding that the Department of Transportation has not certified any driver education curricula for more than twenty years despite administrative rules requiring the Director of Transportation to certify student, instructor, and master‑trainer curricula; and

     WHEREAS, the Auditor further found that the Department of Transportation lacked oversight, internal controls, and proper policies and procedures relating to its driver education responsibilities, resulting in arbitrary practices, inconsistent instructor certification and renewal processes, and requirements that exceeded the Department's legal authority; and

     WHEREAS, the Auditor recommended that the Department of Transportation immediately establish required curriculum task forces, certify the required curricula, and develop and document policies and procedures consistent with its statutory and administrative rule authority; and

     WHEREAS, the Auditor indicated that portions of the Department of Transportation's administrative rules governing the Driver Education Program may be outdated or unclear, contributing to confusion and inconsistencies in program administration and access statewide; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Department of Transportation is requested to correct, update, and complete its administrative rules relating to the Driver Education Program as recommended by the Auditor; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation is requested to submit a report of its updated administrative rules, revised procedures, and implementation status to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Transportation.

Report Title: 

DOT; Driver Education Program; Administrative Rules; Update