(1) Traffic education performance standards describe students' knowledge, skills, and abilities in the driver education content area. These descriptions provide a picture or profile of student achievement at the four performance levels: competent, proficient, nearing proficiency, and novice. These standards are not exhaustive indications of performance, but demonstrate a range of skill and knowledge relative to the established standards and identified benchmarks.

(2) A driver at the competent level:

(a) exhibits strong knowledge and driving skills related to safely navigating roadways and interacting with other roadway users;

(b) shows consistent performance, driving behavior that is largely automatic, and exhibits driving behaviors safely and correctly in many different kinds of driving situations;

(c) knows and adheres to the laws governing driving in Montana as demonstrated by habitually and consistently following the laws while driving;

(d) knows and adheres to the highway transportation system as demonstrated by habitually driving consistent with the system;

(e) always responsibly, properly, and smoothly operates a vehicle;

(f) consistently researches ideas and opportunities to increase personal knowledge of the vehicle, the highway transportation system, and the driving task;

(g) habitually knows and responsibly applies defensive driving principles;

(h) has acquired behind-the-wheel driving experience in various environments and road conditions for a period of time that exceeds the state minimum standards and graduated driver license requirements; and

(i) resists peer pressure, which may negatively influence good, responsible driving behavior.

(3) A driver at the proficient level:

(a) exhibits solid academic and driving skill performance for each benchmark;

(b) has demonstrated competency over challenging subject matter, including subject-matter knowledge, application of such knowledge to real-world situations, and analytical skills appropriate to safe driving;

(c) shows more consistent performance, but still uses conscious effort to demonstrate responsible and safe driving behavior;

(d) demonstrates and consistently applies laws pertaining to driving;

(e) consistently uses risk-managing driving principles;

(f) demonstrates mastery of safe and responsible driving habits and attitudes;

(g) performs satisfactorily in obtaining the minimum number of behind-the-wheel hours with an approved driver education teacher;

(h) consistently interacts appropriately with other operators and traffic in various driving situations;

(i) demonstrates basic skills needed to interact safely with the highway transportation system;

(j) demonstrates appropriate visual skills needed to safely operate a motor vehicle;

(k) demonstrates habits and attitudes necessary to communicate and interact with the highway transportation system utilizing effective, safe practices; and

(l) understands the laws that pertain to owning and operating a motor vehicle.

(4) A driver at the nearing proficiency level:

(a) exhibits partial mastery or prerequisite knowledge and driving skills fundamental for proficient work at each benchmark;

(b) demonstrates partial mastery of the knowledge and skills fundamental for responsible and safe driving;

(c) shows inconsistent performance and must use conscious effort;

(d) understands that the laws of Montana, counties, and cities can differ;

(e) demonstrates a limited ability to use risk-managing driving principles;

(f) shows limited knowledge of motor vehicle laws while driving a motor vehicle;

(g) most of the time shows proficiency of safe and responsible driving techniques and attitudes;

(h) performs in a limited manner after obtaining the minimum number of behind-the-wheel hours with an approved driver education teacher;

(i) with assistance, can use basic skills needed to interact safely with the highway transportation system; and

(j) with assistance, demonstrates the visual skills needed to operate a motor vehicle.

(5) A driver at the novice level:

(a) is beginning to attain the prerequisite knowledge and driving skills that are fundamental for work at each benchmark;

(b) is just beginning to acquire the knowledge and skill needed for safe and responsible driving;

(c) shows weak driving skills, must use full concentration, and is easily distracted;

(d) struggles with traffic in various driving situations, even with assistance;

(e) is rarely able to use the risk-managing driving skills;

(f) has difficulty interacting with others in a safe, courteous manner;

(g) demonstrates limited understanding of the highway transportation system;

(h) rarely demonstrates the visual skills needed to operate a motor vehicle;

(i) shows little understanding of the local and state laws of Montana;

(j) with assistance, has begun to drive in rural, urban, and residential environments;

(k) has begun to learn signs, signals, and pavement markings;

(l) has difficulty in comprehending and applying vehicle laws while driving a motor vehicle within a supervised environment;

(m) demonstrates a limited proficiency of safe and responsible driving techniques and attitudes; and

(n) performs at a beginning level after obtaining the minimum number of behind-the-wheel hours with an approved driver education teacher.