July 2024

MONTANA TRAFFIC EDUCATION NEWS

Hello,

I wanted to update the Montana traffic education community about my resignation as the Traffic Education Director. My last day will be July 1, 2024. I was offered a position moving forward that would be best for my family. I had an amazing three years helping make the roads of Montana safer with all of you. You all are hard-working and passionate about what you do and have done over the years with novice drivers. One of my favorite quotes relating to traffic education is what my high school basketball coach always used to say, "practice doesn't make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect". That is exactly what traffic education courses do for students who are learning how to drive. Traffic education is the best way for everyone to learn the skills needed to keep themselves and others safe on roadways.

Lately, my main focus areas have included the revision of the curriculum, a master's degree for traffic education instructors, stopping the Student Driver Relief Program, and sustaining and creating new traffic education programs. I always aimed to provide solution-based approaches to your needs and concerns. I'm confident in the success of this department in the near future and many years down the road with the addition of LeAnn Haas. Take care and be safe out there! 

Dwight Nelson

Reimbursement Information

Each year the reimbursement amount for schools overseeing students completing at least 50% of a traffic education class varies. The amount per student is normally around $120 on average. For a more accurate amount for the 2023-2024 school year, please contact the Montana DOJ office. Schools receive the reimbursement funds in mid-August each year. The funds vary because of the amount the MVD/DOJ receives from license fees from year to year. 

Year-End-Reports & 2025 District Applications

As we are nearing the end of the school year for 2023-2024, it is time to start submitting your TE06 Year End Reports for driver education reimbursement. Thank you to those who have already completed and submitted. 

Things to remember when submitting: 

1. Deadline for submission for reimbursement is July 10th, 2024. Any submissions after this date will NOT be reimbursed. Superintendents will be contacted and notified when the paperwork has not been completed and submitted successfully. They will be informed directly if the district will not be reimbursed due to lack of timeliness. 

2. Classes ending on or before June 30th, 2024 will be reimbursed on the 2024 Year-End-Report. 

3. Make sure all your district classes have been certified complete and the reimbursement request has been checked on your TE03/04 Student Lists. 

4. A presentation/tutorial is linked below. Please go over the last section on Year-End-Reports before you call with questions; this document will answer many of them.  

TEDRS User Guide Presentation 2024

5. 2025 (TE01) District Applications will NOT be approved until your TE06 is completed and submitted successfully. 

You may be receiving this email as a duplicate as we are attempting to reach as many people connected to TEDRS as possible. If you have received this email in error, please let us know and we will remove you from the list. Also, forward this information to those in your district who may not have received it. 

Thank you for all you do to keep the roads of Montana safe. 

Contact the Traffic Education Office with questions about state-approved traffic education programs in Montana, becoming a state-approved traffic educator, attending a Montana DRIVE Workshop, or for parent and teen driver education resources.

Call (406) 444-4432 or visit http://opi.mt.gov/DriverEd

The OPI is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation, require an alternate format, or have questions concerning accessibility, contact the OPI ADA Coordinator, 406-444-3161, opiada@mt.gov, Relay Service: 711.