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of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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    Individuals who wish to add Safety/Driver Education to their active and valid Instructional I or Instructional II Certification must successfully pass the Pennsylvania Safety and Driver Education Teacher Certification Assessment (PSDETCA).

    Test Information/Registration

    To register for the test, individuals must first complete a request to test form.  The form is to be submit it to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) by email to: RA-EDDRIVERSAFETYED@pa.gov  

    All individuals must be pre-registered for the test. Walk-ins will not be accepted.

    PDE charges no test or registration fee to take the PSDETCA.

    Testing accommodations are available for individuals with disabilities or health related needs. Individuals may request a testing accommodation by submitting a written request to the PDE Safety/Driver Education office.

    Individuals who are applying for their first Pennsylvania certificate should also register with PDE’s Teach​er Information Management System (TIMS) prior to taking the test in order to facilitate the efficient reporting of test scores.

    Testing will take place in accordance with Electronic Learning Registration and Reporting (ELRNR).  2024-2025 ELRN calendar (PDF).  Individuals are encouraged to arrive approximately 15 minutes before the test start time.

    No-one will be permitted to enter the testing room once the test begins.

    ​Individuals must present their valid Pennsylvania Driver’s license for test taking identification purposes.

    Individuals are not permitted to bring anything into the test room. That includes but is not limited to books, study materials, electronic devices including cell phones and smart watches, purses, handbags, food, backpacks, etc. Items must be left in the individual’s vehicle. There is no storage for personal items at PaTTAN.

    Individuals may bring personal hygiene products or medication into the testing room provided those items are in a clear one quart plastic bag.

    Individuals may bring into the testing area one unopened bottle of water. The bottle must be a clear plastic container.

    Individuals are encouraged to bring 2 (two) number two pencils for test taking purposes.

    The test consists of 120 multiple choice questions. There is a 2-hour time limit to complete the test.

    The test administrator or their designee will be present in the testing room at all times during the administration of the test.

    At the conclusion of the test, individuals must return the test booklet and answer sheet to the test administrator.

    The qualifying score for the PSDETCA is 520.

    Candidates will receive an official notification indicating the individual test score and the passing score within four weeks of the test administration day.

    After successfully passing the PSDETCA, individuals must submit a certification application to PDE through TIMS to obtain a Safety/Driver Education certificate or add the Safety/Driver Education certificate to an existing Instructional I or Instructional II teaching certificate.​

    Teacher Aide Application

    Teacher Aide Application (PDE-283) (PDF) School districts and LEAs may employ teacher aides to teach the practical driving phase of a standardized driver education program, see 24 P.S. § 15-1519(b). The procedure is as follows:

    • The local chief school administrator must make a request to PDE for employment of a Teacher Aide
    • Driver Education Teacher Aide Application PDE-283 must be completed and submitted along with all supporting documents
    • Applicant must pass a theoretical examination administered by PDE
    • Applicant must pass a practical examination administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

    The applicant must possess the following qualifications:

    1. Satisfactory completion of both the theoretical and practical examinations.     
    2. Possess a high school diploma.
    3. Have a motor vehicle operator's record (Three-Year Driving Abstract) free of violation of "The Vehicle Code" and other traffic laws and free of accidents.
    4. Completed a three-credit course in driver education.
    5. Must complete an additional nine hours of credit in General and Traffic Safety Education within a three-year period of employment.
    6. Be eligible according to the provisions in section 1209 of the Public School Code of 1949.