SB1366

Regular Session

Relating to the inclusion of information about construction or maintenance work zones in the curriculum of driver education and driving safety courses.

ModeratePlan for compliance

Low Cost

Effective:2025-09-01

Enforcing Agencies

Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) • Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2026 (All courses held on or after this date must contain the new curriculum).
Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) must adopt final rules detailing curriculum standards by May 1, 2026. This creates a tight 4-month window (May–August 2026) for providers to finalize content and update platforms.

Immediate Action Plan

1. Q1 2025: Audit current curriculum vendor contracts to confirm liability for regulatory updates.
2. January 2026: Assign a compliance officer to monitor TCLR agendas for proposed rules regarding SB 1366.
3. May 2026: Upon rule adoption, immediately draft content covering work zone risks and Section 542.404 penalties.
4. August 2026: Update Learning Management Systems (LMS) and physical course packets; file necessary modifications with TDLR.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

Third-Party Content Licenses: Review agreements with curriculum vendors immediately. Ensure your contract requires the vendor to provide regulatory updates at no additional cost. If silent, you may face fees to acquire the compliant work zone modules.
Instructor Agreements: Update independent contractor and employment agreements to mandate adherence to the revised syllabus. Failure by an instructor to teach the new module will jeopardize the school’s license.

Hiring/Training

Instructor Briefing: Current instructors do not need new certification, but they must be briefed on the specific penalties under Transportation Code Section 542.404 to ensure accurate instruction.
Content Development: Allocate resources for instructional designers to script and produce the new module between May and August 2026.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Course Approval Modification: Expect to file a modification request or a self-certification affidavit with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) proving the inclusion of the new material.
Audit Trails: Maintain a "redline" version of your curriculum and updated final exam banks to prove to auditors that the statutory requirement is being met.

Fees & Costs

Internal Development Costs: Budget for LMS reprogramming (for online providers) and material re-printing (for classroom providers).
No New State Fees: The bill does not impose new licensing fees, but administrative costs to update course approvals may apply depending on TDLR's final rules.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

The statute requires the inclusion of "information" but leaves the specifics to TCLR rulemaking. Watch the *Texas Register* in early 2026 for:

1. Time Requirements: Will the agency mandate a specific duration (e.g., 15 minutes) for this module? This could disrupt existing course timing structures.
2. Media Format: Will text suffice, or will the agency require video content?
3. DPS Consultation: The rules must be adopted in consultation with the Department of Public Safety. This may result in a requirement to use specific, state-provided crash statistics or videos.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsEducation Education--driver Education & Training Vehicles & Traffic Vehicles & Traffic--driver's Licenses Vehicles & Traffic--rules of Road Construction & Heavy Equipment Licensing & Regulation, Texas Commission of Public Safety, Department of

Official Analysis

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BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1366
89R10591 RDR-D	By: Nichols
	Transportation
	3/20/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Subchapter C, Chapter 1001, of the Texas Education Code mandates 15 topics that are required to be taught in the driver's education curriculum. While the subchapter specifies that information relating to traffic stops must be in the curriculum, information on operating a vehicle in a construction or maintenance work zone is not currently required to be taught by statue.

This bill would amend Texas Education Code by adding Section 1001.1102, which specifies construction or maintenance work zone safety must be taught in driver's education curriculum. The curriculum must teach the dangers associated with violating traffic laws in construction or maintenance work zones as well as the penalties for offenses committed in a construction or maintenance work zone. The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation will consult with the Department of Public Safety to develop rules for administering this.

Construction work zone safety is a growing issue as there were approximately 27,900 crashes and 215 fatalities in construction work zones on Texas roads in 2024 and approximately 26,300 crashes and 192 fatalities in construction work zones in 2023. This bill aims to increase safety for drivers and construction workers by improving driver's education on this topic.

As proposed, S.B. 1366 amends current law relating to the inclusion of information about construction or maintenance work zones in the curriculum of driver education and driving safety courses.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation in SECTION 1 (Section 1001.1102, Education Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 1001, Education Code, by adding Section 1001.1102, as follows:

Sec. 1001.1102. INFORMATION RELATING TO OPERATING VEHICLE IN CONSTRUCTION OR MAINTENANCE WORK ZONE. (a) Requires the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) by rule to require that information relating to construction or maintenance work zones be included in the curriculum of each driver education course or driving safety course. Requires that the curriculum include:

(1) the dangers associated with violating traffic laws in construction or maintenance work zones; and

(2) the penalties under Section 542.404 (Fine for Offense in Construction or Maintenance Work Zone), Transportation Code, for certain offenses committed in a construction or maintenance work zone.

(b) Requires TCLR, in developing rules under this section, to consult with the Department of Public Safety.

SECTION 2. (a) Requires TCLR, not later than May 1, 2026, to adopt the rules required by Section 1001.1102, Education Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Requires that each driver education course or driving safety course held on or after September 1, 2026, include in the course's curriculum the information required by the rules adopted under Section 1001.1102, Education Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.

Senate Authors

Sen. Robert NicholsRepublican · Primary Author

Coauthors (5)

House Sponsor

Rep. Ken KingRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

S.B. No. 1366

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	AN ACT
	relating to the inclusion of information about construction or
	maintenance work zones in the curriculum of driver education and
	driving safety courses.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 1001, Education Code, is
	amended by adding Section 1001.1102 to read as follows:
	Sec. 1001.1102. INFORMATION RELATING TO OPERATING VEHICLE
	IN CONSTRUCTION OR MAINTENANCE WORK ZONE. (a) The commission by
	rule shall require that information relating to construction or
	maintenance work zones be included in the curriculum of each driver
	education course or driving safety course. The curriculum must
	include:
	(1) the dangers associated with violating traffic laws
	in construction or maintenance work zones; and
	(2) the penalties under Section 542.404,
	Transportation Code, for certain offenses committed in a
	construction or maintenance work zone.
	(b) In developing rules under this section, the commission
	shall consult with the Department of Public Safety.
	SECTION 2. (a) Not later than May 1, 2026, the Texas
	Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt the rules
	required by Section 1001.1102, Education Code, as added by this
	Act.
	(b) Each driver education course or driving safety course
	held on or after September 1, 2026, shall include in the course's
	curriculum the information required by the rules adopted under
	Section 1001.1102, Education Code, as added by this Act.
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


March 25, 2025

TO:	Honorable Robert Nichols, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB1366 by Nichols (Relating to the inclusion of information about construction or maintenance work zones in the curriculum of driver education and driving safety courses.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

405 Department of Public Safety, 452 Department of Licensing and Regulation

LBB Staff:

JMc, AAL, BFa

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB1366

What does Texas SB1366 do?

SB 1366 mandates that all Texas driver education and driving safety course providers integrate a specific curriculum module regarding construction and maintenance work zone safety. This requirement affects all licensed driver education schools (teen and adult), online defensive driving providers, and parent-taught course vendors, requiring a mandatory product update to maintain licensure. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2026 (All courses held on or after this date must contain the new curriculum).

Who authored SB1366?

SB1366 was authored by Texas Senator Robert Nichols during the Regular Session.

When was SB1366 signed into law?

SB1366 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 19, 2025.

Which agencies enforce SB1366?

SB1366 is enforced by Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) and Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

How urgent is compliance with SB1366?

The compliance urgency for SB1366 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

What is the cost impact of SB1366?

The cost impact of SB1366 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

What topics does SB1366 address?

SB1366 addresses topics including education, education--driver education & training, vehicles & traffic, vehicles & traffic--driver's licenses and vehicles & traffic--rules of road.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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