Driver’s ed. via Zoom is OK: gov

Buckle your seat belts,

New York.

The state Department of Motor Vehicles will now allow licensed driving schools to conduct “distance learning” via video-conference platforms for the mandatory five-hour prelicensing course, Gov. Cuomo announced Wednesday.

Beginning Wednesday, the DMV will permit the schools to hold the course using “Zoom and Webex and Skype and whatever technology that they deem appropriate,” Cuomo told reporters during a conference call.

“We understand student drivers, can’t appear in person and this will allow them to participate online so they can get their driver’s license and they can do it safely.”.

Driving schools across the state have been unable to offer the prelicensing course due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Student drivers must still take a road test to obtain a license, and the DMV is accepting reservations for road tests statewide.

The agency will honor any prelicensing course completion certificates that expired during the COVID-19 crisis. Applicants whose road tests were canceled because of the pandemic are being given priority for rescheduling.

All participants, including anyone inside a vehicle arriving at a test site, must wear face coverings and maintain social distancing from other customers and staff whenever possible, the agency said.

Under the DMV’s coronavirus safety protocols, customers will also need to disinfect the passenger side of the vehicle with disinfectant wipes upon arrival.

Temperature checks will be administered prior to the beginning of the road test.

“If there are multiple applicants in a vehicle and one of the applicants or the accompanying driver does not pass the screening process, none of the applicants in the vehicle will be tested at that time,” the new DMV rules state.